Posted By pferguson on March 21, 2023

And You Are There With Him

For the recent Western Front Association Pacific Branch conference I was asked to include an operational history of the Battle of the Somme. This was to be the lead for two additional presentations by Ian and Casey Williams of the Paradigm Motion Picture Company. Ian spoke directly about Piper James Cleland Richardson VC Ordinary Boy, Extraordinary Hero and his father, Casey – who provided the keynote address on how to create a meaningful film, It’s One Thing to Tell a Story – It’s Altogether Another To Have the Audience Live It.

The Paradigm team has often chatted via Skype, through emails, phone, etc. to discuss our preparations and thoughts for a forthcoming film. Together we acknowledge that people are more interested in the adventurer than the adventure. It will be a considered production where each frame will have been thought out, after all it’s not just what’s in the foreground…it’s the whole.

And so to the adventurers, in this case veterans of the 16th whose memories are best known to they themselves in what was once a common voice of Kitcheners Wood, Ypres, Regina Trench, Vimy, Cambrai and a thousand other places. Those of us unfamiliar with the time actual and whose knowledge is gathered after the fact can scarce imagine their time. In 1951 these veterans of the 16th marched past Victoria’s Christ Church Cathedral to Pioneer Square where a memorial to the regiment was dedicated.

Years later, October 2003, those who felt a connection to Piper James Cleland Richardson VC turned out in great numbers in Chilliwack for the unveiling of the Richardson statue created by sculptor John Weaver. James may have been the only link to the Somme those in attendance knew. Perhaps others were present who were familiar with the Somme through family stories but no 16th veterans were present. No one was there who met the living James Ricahrdson. And yet it is through James being well known and not forgotten that I choose to turn to the others of Chilliwack’s Somme…

Despite James Cleland Richardson never having lived in Chilliwack he became the town’s son. His parents did live in Chilliwack – Mary and David Richardson having arrived before the commencement of the war whilst James remained at work in Vancouver and a member of the 72nd Cadets (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada).

And who were these sons of Chilliwack’s Somme? These not as well known sons of Chilliwack…of chilliwack’s 99 Great War names on their war memorial here are the lesser known…

Private Henry Anketell Jones
11 September 1916 (29th Battalion)
Sunken Road Cemetery

Captain Henry J. Tryon
15 September 1916 (15th attd. 8th Rifle Brigade)
Thiepval Memorial

Lance Corporal James Stronach
24 September 1916 (29th Battalion)
Vimy Memorial

Private Paul Doutaz
27 September 1916 (7th Battalion)
Regina Trench Cemetery

Private Luke Charles Mahone
31 October 1916 (47th Battalion)
Contay British Cemetery

Private James Morton Atkinson
11 November 1916 (47th Battalion)
Courcelette British Cemetery

Private Harry Ayres
11 November 1916 (47th Battalion)
Vimy Memorial

 Over the next few weeks our blog will describe more of the operational history of the Battle of the Somme. All the while I will think more about these adventurers – the fallen of the Somme whose lives cut short can remain with us as we or rather you are there with him.

 Did You Know?

Operations on the Somme largely occurred north of the river.

The opening Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, was the largest operation of the Great War.

500,000 personnel were involved at the start along an 18-mile front.

The British and French Armies came together on the frontline just above the River Somme.

The French being on the British right flank.

The first Day of the Battle of the Somme 1 July 1916 is the most frequently discussed of all days of the Somme offensive.

To truly study the battle of the Somme there are 140 other days of conflict in the offensive.

Category: Remember Them Well | No Comments »
Tags: Battle of the Somme, Captain Henry J. Tryon, Chilliwack, Film, Great War Veterans, John Weaver, Lance Corporal James Stronach, Piper James Cleland Richardson VC, Piper Ricahrdson Statue, Piper Richardson Statue, Private Harry Ayres, Private Henry Anketell Jones, Private James Morton Atkinson, Private Luke Charles Mahone, Private Paul Doutaz, River Somme

Posted By pferguson on February 26, 2023

The WVS Never Say No

The Woman’s Voluntary Service (WVS) was founded by Stella Isaacs the Marchioness of Reading in 1938. Both the Times and the Observer newspapers cited two differing Great War services in her 1971 obituaries. The Times reporting her work with the British Red Cross Society and the Observer reporting her work with the Voluntary Aid Detachment which was directed by the Red Cross. Regardless, the Marchioness learned from her wartime experiences providing care to those in need. In 1938 Stella Isaacs was called upon by the British Home Secretary to establish a women’s organization that would help the government and local authorities should war be declared. The impetus for such an organization being well proven with the announcement of war in September 1939.

The work of the WVS was varied providing support and training in Air Raid Precautions, to military personnel, war refugees, the evacuation of civilians and children from targeted cities and assisting vulnerable people. The WVS operated mobile canteens providing both troops and civilians with teas, coffees, sandwiches and biscuits. Their work, especially with bombed out civilians, saw government and local authority funded programs developed to feed, clothe and re-house individuals affected by the many air raids across the country. They delivered water by tankers to areas of need, organized knitting circles creating all manner of comforts for troops and the afflicted, gathered and then re-distributed clothing to those who had lost everything in the bombings.

The WVS was present at British home ports during the return of troops from Dunkirk, at city squares, stations and other posts during the Blitz. And were in the thick of it during the Blitz, as 241 of their members lost their lives. Similarly the WVS repeatedly provided throughout the war their catering expertise including preparations for D-Day and once the Allies were established on the continent took their organization to assist the troops there. Previously the WVS were successful in establishing their systems following the invasion in Italy. During the rocket attacks on London they continued to provide.

In 1942 more than one million women were serving with the WVS across the United Kingdom.  The WVS is now known as the Royal Voluntary Service.

Category: Odds & Ends | No Comments »
Tags: Marchioness of Reading, Never Say No, Stella Isaacs, Women's Voluntary Service

Posted By pferguson on January 29, 2023

Museums…Stories

Such fun to have been on the road, at long last, taking the tube from Embankment to Lambeth North (London) for the walk to the Imperial War Museum. With each stride I am closer to their new exhibitions, eager to see new design, new content. I was not disappointed.

As I wandered the open space and took in one to the other…artifacts selection and mix, layout, fabrication and materials, fonts, mounts, and colour…one aspect stood out for me. Captions!

Here were the stories of the people and their artifacts rather than artifacts and their people. Though I studied all the personal stories I especially enjoyed one about Michael Stockford, a lad who collected candy wrappers during the Second World War. Associated material spoke of the number of American air force personnel stationed in Britain, some 450,000 in 1945. Amongst the wrappers a pamphlet for overseas personnel, This is Britain, A Souvenir for Overseas Forces.

Of the wrappers themselves there are familiar brands Dentyne, Life Savers, Wrigley’s Doublemint. The gathering of wrappers was also a reminder of my early days in Zweibrücken where at the base’s movie theatre my Dad suggested I should paste my confectioner’s wrappers into a scrapbook…I never did…that story remains with me, reborn by Michael Stockford’s collection at the museum.  This is what museums do…this is what story does…they find connection.

Category: Odds & Ends | No Comments »
Tags: American Air Force, Candy Wrappers, Captions, Dentyne, Imperial War Museum, Life Savers, Wrigley's

Posted By pferguson on December 24, 2022

At Long Last

It was time to go…the last time, November 2019 and now three years later and after all the calamities of the world I was at long last back in London. I have been visiting this city since 1983…and part of this trip was to revisit and reconnect with a few of those places I met on my first trip…the Cadogan Hotel, Harrods, Wolfe’s Restaurant, The Empire, The Hippodrome…the Imperial War Museum, the National Army Museum and London at Christmas.

The first time I visited was in December and London was filled with Christmas. It was new for me…city shock at first and then well received with open arms. I still think upon those times and those I met…its part of what I do and its part of who I am. And oh how I love to find connection!

Nevertheless this November trip means there will be more here for future posts as with some 3,900 images taken (not all great – but then not all bad) I have again – a fine photo archive to visit and feature. I need some time to gather my thoughts and find stories to connect my walks this year that may bring us Senate House, the Shell-Mex Building, remnants of Second World War iron salvage, and of course the museum visits.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Happy Xmas…(War Is Over)
John Lennon, 1998
And so we can hope!

Category: Christmas Special, Odds & Ends | No Comments »
Tags: Apple Records, Christmas, Connection, Gieves and Hawkes, John Lennon, London (England), No. 1 Savile Row, No. 3 Savile Row, Paddington Bear

Posted By pferguson on November 11, 2022

Bourlon Wood. Battle of the Canal du Nord: Actions of 27 and 29 September 1918
DEAR LEW THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL

For most conspicuous bravery during the Bourlon Wood operations, 27th September to 2nd October, 1918. On 27th September, when his company commander and all other officers of his company had become casualties, Lt. Honey took command and skilfully reorganised under very severe fire. He continued the advance with great dash and gained the objective. Then finding that his company was suffering casualties from enfilade machine-gun fire he located the machine-gun nest and rushed it single-handed, capturing the guns and ten prisoners. Subsequently he repelled four enemy counter-attacks and after dark again went out alone, and having located an enemy post, led a party which captured the post and three guns. On the 29th September he led his company against a strong enemy position with great skill and daring and continued in the succeeding days of the battle to display the same high example of valour and self-sacrifice. He died of wounds received during the last day of the attack by his battalion [30 September 1918].

My time at Queant Communal has always been short, but I recall on both occasions that I hopped up the stairs and into this place of rest. The series of images taken at Queant have always stood out with wonderful blues accented by the white and grey toned clouds above. Beauty in these places of sorrow…calm and rasping. Queant is one place I should like to spend some extra time. Our short visits to many of these sites on this 2010 trip were self-imposed due to the number of places I wished to see. My project? A dedicated effort to photograph the burial places and memorials of many of Canada’s highest decorated soldiers who lost their lives during the Great War and apart from Honey this day too included…Nunney, McAndie, Gibson, Milne, Bogicevich, Slattery, Moore, Ironside, and Trendell. Stories for another time.

The November Series 2022 has now met with the next chapter, this day of days 11 November. With camera in hand…it is time to gather.

Helpful Link
Uxbridge Banner Program

Category: November Series, Remember Them Well | No Comments »
Tags: 27 September 1918, 29 September 1918, 30 September 1918, 78th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers), Bourlon Wood, Canal du Nord, Honours and Awards, Samuel Lewis Honey VC DCM MM