The Story of One Man, Thomas O’Connor, a 27-Year-Old Farmer Who Was Born in the Chateauguay Valley of Southwestern Quebec
2nd Edition March 2004 Private Thomas O’Connor Canadian Expeditionary Force 1917-1919 Dedication To my mother, first born of Tom and Grace, on the occasion of her “39th” Birthday. This is dedicated to Thomas O’Connor, Private, Canadian Expeditionary Force 1917-1919, and to all the others who served their country in the Great War. “Honour the Canadians who on the fields at Flanders and of France, fought in the cause of allies, with sacrifice and devotion.”i In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. Colonel John McCrea, Ypres, Belgium, 1915 Special thanks to Gerry Leroux, and particularly to Carole and Bill Barton, who were invaluable in helping in tracking down details that were not easily accessible from the United States. A very special thanks to Penney Adams for proofreading, cover design and supporting me through this project. Also many thanks to “Bakers Pals”, the participants of the on-line Great War Forum for their extraordinary help (www.1914-1918.org). Copyright © 2004-2005 Marc Leroux 2.5 2 April 2005 Private Thomas O’Connor Canadian Expeditionary Force 1917-1919 Preface It has been called the “Great War”, and “The War to End All Wars”.
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