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Canada Post Employees at the Battle of Vimy Ridge April 9-12, 1917

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Canada Post Employees at the Battle of Vimy Ridge April 9-12, 1917 CANADA POST EMPLOYEES AT THE BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGE APRIL 9-12, 1917 Prepared by the Van-Fraser Heritage Club THE BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGE: APRIL 9—12, 1917 The Battle of Vimy Ridge is considered by many to be an Iconic Moment in Canadian History. It marked the first and only time during World War I that the all four Canadian Divisions took part in the same action. Included in these four Divisions were Battalions raised across the country and included a number of Post Office Department (now Canada Post) employees, some of whom would become part of the 3,598 killed and 7,004 wounded. The Ridge was considered a vital strategic objective as it overlooked the Douet Plain and provided an excellent observation point and a site for artillery. The French Army had tried to retake the Ridge in 1915 but had failed in their attempt and suffered over 15,00 casualties. The Canadian Army was assigned the task of taking Vimy Ridge as part of large British Offensive in Norther France which became known as the Battle of Arras. Determined to succeed the Canadian Army, under General Julian Byng, undertook a program of rigorous training, rehearsal, and implementation of new tactics. Success in the Battle of Vimy Ridge earned the Canadian Army a reputation as a tough battle ready group that in the future would find itself assigned some of the most difficult assignments of the War Canadian Troops at Vimy Ridge. PRELUDE TO THE BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGE The Canadian Corps, under General Julian Byng, moved into the area below the Western Slopes of Vimy Ridge in October 2016. The Canadian attack on the Ridge was to be part of a larger British Offensive in the Arras area of Northern France. The horrendous losses at the Battle of the Somme earlier in the year had clearly demonstrated a need for new tactics, methods, and weapons. Byng ensured that his four Canadian Divisions, supplemented by a British Division and elements of the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers, were trained thoroughly trained and prepared. A model of the German Trench system was constructed in the rear area and all soldiers were thoroughly briefed on their respective targets. One of the unique features of Vimy Ridge are the tunnels constructed to move troops to the Front Lines without being exposed to artillery and sniper fire. Inside the tunnels are names and badges carved in the sides. The success of the attack was based upon accurate information regarding German defenses. To collect this information raids on German trenches began four months in advance of the attack . Large raids began on February 7, 1917 increasing in frequency until they became nightly activities from March 9. This level of activity, combined with German Trench Raids and artillery shelling, resulted in a substantial number of casualties prior to the actual Battle of Vimy Ridge. Canadian Soldiers in the trenches at Vimy Ridge. CASUALTIES IN THE PRELUDE TO THE BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGE BRITTON, ARTHUR WILLIAM Corporal, 3rd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles Number: 108117 Volunteered December 5, 1914, Edmonton Postal Clerk, Edmonton 3410 64th Street, Edmonton Born October 10, 1886 London, England Married to Annie M. Britton Died March 24, 1917 from a shrapnel wound to the head. Buried Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France HUFF, CLARENCE SIMEON Corporal, 131st Battalion, Westminster Regiment Number: 790664 Volunteered February 23, 1916, New Westminster 408 4th Avenue, New Westminster Postal Clerk, New Westminster Born January 22 1894 New Westminster. British Columbia Married to Lelestral (Lexie) Katherine Huff Suffered a gunshot wound to the head, April 7, 1917 at Vimy Ridge. Returned to duty August 3, 1917 LEGGATT, DAVID JOHN Private, 131st Battalion, Westminster Regiment Number: 790669 Volunteered February 21, 1916, New Westminster Postal Clerk, New Westminster General Delivery, New Westminster Born August 29, 1886 Newton Moor Hyden, Cheshire, England Suffered a gunshot wound to face and left arm, April 3, 1917 Suffered a shrapnel wound to right cheek, October 4, 1918 LIVINGSTONE, JOHN SCOTT Private, 34th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry of Canada Number: 602421 Volunteered January 19, 1915, Edmonton Postal Clerk, Edmonton 21 Mortlake Block, Edmonton Born May 28, 1887 Harriston, Ontario Suffered a gunshot wound to left knee and thigh, March 31, 1917. Invalided to Canada and discharged as Medically Unfit, September 16, 1918. McDONALD, ROBERT HAMILTON Sergeant, 83rd Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Number: 171575 Volunteered August 17, 1915, Toronto Letter Carrier, Toronto 118 Felstead Avenue, Toronto Born June 3, 1889 Dunlargue, Keady, Armagh, Ireland Suffered a gunshot wound to face and neck March 3, 1917 Invalided to Canada and discharged Unfit for Service, March 30. 1918 C MORTIMER, RICHARD Corporal, Royal Canadian Engineers Number: 503734 Volunteered February 16, 1916, Winnipeg Letter Carrier (and Carpenter), Winnipeg 100 Matheson Avenue, Winnipeg Born August 9, 1884 Leeds, Yorkshire, England Suffered a gunshot wound, right hand, March 3, 1917. Canadian Army Stretcher Bearers and German Prisoners transporting the wounded to Aid Stations. THE BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGE: APRIL 9 –12, 1917 It was a cold and windy morning filled with snow and sleet, when, at 5:30 am, Easter Monday, April 9, 1917, troops of the four Divisions of the Canadian Corps, supplemented by one British Division, moved out from their trenches and began the assault on Vimy Ridge. The attack followed ta week of intense bombardment and he detonation of a number of “mines” that had been tunneled under No Man’s Land. The Battle of Vimy Ridge lasted four days with Canadians seizing and holding the initiative for all of the four days. Successive counter attacks were successfully repelled and the last objective taken at 6:00 pm on April 12. Canadian Troops advancing under artillery fire at Vimy Ridge. CASUALTIES DURING THE BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGE BECKWITH, OSCAR FREDERICK Private, 140th Battalion, Carleton and York Regiment Number: 817775 Volunteered November 10, 1915, Sussex Postal Clerk, Saint John 57 Paul Street, Saint John Born April 1, 1897 Saint John, New Brunswick Wounded April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge. A gunshot wound in the left forearm that left him with only 50% strength in his left hand. BLANEY, CHARLES TWEED Private, 21st Battalion, Princess of Wales Own Regiment Number: 113094 Volunteered December 13, 1914, Ottawa Postal Clerk, Ottawa No address on Certificate of Attestation Born January 31, 1894 Russell, Ontario Died April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge No known grave. Name listed on the Vimy Memorial Survived by mother Emma of Russell, Ontario and brother Phillip of Red Deer, Alberta. DALE, EDWARD Sergeant, 75th Battalion, Toronto Scottish Regiment Number: 163262 Volunteered August 4, 1914, Toronto Letter Carrier, Toronto 53 Perth Avenue, Toronto Born July 7, 1880 Darrington, Lancashire, England Married to Mary Anne Dale Suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge. Mentioned in Despatches July 7, 1917. GLASGOW, IRA HYDE Lieutenant, 78th Battalion, Winnipeg Grenadiers Number: Volunteered November 26, 1915, Winnipeg MB Railway Mail Clerk, Winnipeg 353 Atkins Street, Winnipeg Born June 21, 1882 Prescott, Ontario Died April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge Buried Givenchy-en-Cohelle Canadian Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France Survived by parents James E. and Mary Glasgow of Prescott ON and brother William serving with the 25th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery. GOODMAN, ERNEST FREDERICK Private, 94th Battalion, Kenora Light Infantry Number: 199331 Volunteered April 24, 1916, Port Arthur ON Postal Clerk, Port Arthur ON 90 Melvin Avenue, Port Arthur ON Born December 28, 1886 Dalwich, Surrey, England Married to Margaret Goodman Died April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge Buried Nine Elms Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France Survived by wife Margaret. Port Arthur ON and mother Julia Goodman, London, England. HAMBLIN, JOHN EBENEZER Private, 82nd Battalion, Calgary Highlanders Number: 160679 Volunteered October 18, 1915, Calgary Postal Clerk, Calgary No address on Certificate of Attestation Born February 8, 1915 Richmond, Surrey, England Suffered a gunshot wound to right shoulder, April 11, 1917 at Vimy Ridge HAMMOND, JAMES Private, 78th Battalion, Winnipeg Grenadiers Number: 147137 Volunteered July 1, 1915, Winnipeg Letter Carrier, Winnipeg 49 Ellen Street, Winnipeg Born December 2, 1883 Ratinny, Donegal, Ireland Suffered a gunshot wound to left leg, April 10, 1917, at Vimy Ridge HUNTLEY, JOHN ARTHUR Private, 222nd Battalion, Royal Winnipeg Rifles Number: 291445 Volunteered March 9, 1915, Winnipeg Railway Mail Clerk, Winnipeg 693 Stella Avenue, Winnipeg Born March 28, 1894 Brandon, Manitoba Died April 7, 1917 serving with the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles. Reports of the day show Huntley’s date of death between April 7 and 10. Buried Bois-Carre British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France Survived by parents Isaac and Martha Huntley, Butler Manitoba JONES, CHARLES FREDERICK Private, 95th Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Number: 201201 Volunteered October 15, 1915, Toronto Postal Clerk, Toronto 484 Bloor Street West, Toronto Born September 29, 1890 Toronto, Ontario Married to Dorothy Jones. Daughter Edna May Jones. Suffered a gunshot wound to right leg, April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge KENNEDY, ALBERT Private, 170th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Canada Number: 681100 Volunteered February 2, 1916, Toronto ON Postal Clerk, Toronto 235 Oak Street, Toronto ON Born February 4, 1893 Quarterland Straid, Antrim, Ireland Married to Elizabeth Kennedy Died April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge. No known grave. Name listed on the Vimy Memorial. Survived by wife Elizabeth and infant son Willie of Toronto and father Malcolm Kennedy of Quarterland Straid, Antrim, Ireland McAVAY, FREDERICK Private, 94th Battalion, Kenora Light Infantry Number: 199144 Volunteered March 21, 1915, Fort William ON Letter Carrier, Fort William ON 204 South Marks Street, Fort William ON Born September 7, 1888 Fort William, Ontario Died April 9, 1917.
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