A Canadian Conscript Goes to Warâ

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Canadian Military History

Volume 18 Issue 1 Article 4

2009

A Canadian Conscript Goes to War—August 1918: Old Myths Re- examined

Patrick Dennis

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Recommended Citation Dennis, Patrick "A Canadian Conscript Goes to War—August 1918: Old Myths Re-examined." Canadian Military History 18, 1 (2009)

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Dennis: A Canadian Conscript Goes to War

A Canadian Conscript Goes to War – August 1918 Old Myths Re-examined

Patrick Dennis

rivate Hilaire Dennis finished his third, he was a US citizen by birth. its greatest successes of the war.”3 P“rum ration”1 and prepared to But by August 1918 this 23-year-old Finally, while history richly records “go over the top” for the fourth time former streetcar conductor was a the political dynamics that gave in three days. Wet from the previous combat veteran in the 18th Battalion. birth to Canadian conscription, the night’s heavy rainfall, exhausted Moreover, for the Canadian Corps, passage of conscripts like Dennis from lack of sleep due to enemy amidst the epic struggle and record from the peaceful streets of Canada artillery bombardment and nearly casualties of August 1918, he and to the war-torn fields of France three days of sustained combat, and thousands of other conscripts were and Belgium remains obscured. nervous about the upcoming battle, rapidly becoming one of the crucial This article attempts to breach the Dennis savoured the rum, said elements which held this formation fog that has long enshrouded the his final prayers and moved into together as a strong and effective story of the ordinary Canadian position. “Zero hour” arrived and fighting force. conscripts’ journey from “slackers” Dennis soon found himself in an old Private Dennis’ eight-month and “shirkers” to warriors and German trench about 300 yards east journey to the front is both fascinating heroes. of the Sensée River adjacent to the and instructive in what it reveals Arras-Cambrai road. This was his about the conscription process. It August 1914 to December 1917 fifth “battle” in the past two weeks. dispels a number of myths about the It was also his last. precise role that conscripts played n 1910, Sir Wilfrid Laurier declared In most respects Dennis was an in the final Canadian offensives of Ithat “When Britain is at war, Canada ordinary Canadian infantry soldier the war, better known as “the last is at war…there is no distinction.”4 At whose training and preparation was hundred days.” In this context, while the start of the war in August 1914 not dissimilar to that of some 350,000 some historians have ignored the Dennis, living in Windsor, Ontario, Canadians who had preceded him crucial role of conscripts altogether, did not join the crowds rushing to into battle. But Dennis’ story was the prevailing view of others has enlist. He was an American and different from that of most of his been that conscripts arrived too America was not yet at war. Born of comrades. He was not a volunteer, but late and in insufficient numbers French-Canadian parents in Bristol, had been drafted into the Canadian to make a significant difference in Rhode Island on 28 February 1895, army under the provisions of the the outcome of the hundred days Dennis moved to Canada at an early Military Service Act (MSA) of 1917. campaign.2 However, this study age with his family where they Secondly, as a draftee of French- confirms more recent scholarship on settled in a small French-speaking Canadian heritage he was subject to the subject, which strongly suggests community in southwestern Ontario a variety of systemic prejudices from that conscripts in fact “arrived just – Pointe-aux-Roches, in Essex County. an army that was largely composed in time to let the Corps fight its most Raised on a nearby farm, his parents of English-speaking volunteers. And extraordinary actions and garner died while he was yet a teenager,

after which he sought employment Borden announced that effective suffered in combat, underscored the in the border cities of Windsor and 1 January 1916, the government fundamental truth that without an Detroit. He found work as a streetcar intended to put 500,000 men in increase in the rates of enlistment, conductor with the American-owned uniform, doubling the size of the the Canadian Corps would soon be Sandwich, Windsor and Amherstburg Canadian army.6 attrited out of existence. In April 1917 Railway. Over the next year the Canadian the Corps suffered 10,602 casualties As the war dragged on, the army would steadily grow to become at Vimy while only adding 4,492 clamour for new recruits continued a robust four-division corps, whose volunteers.7 This ratio of wastage to increase. Though of fighting age, victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917 to recruitment led Borden to the Dennis resisted the call to arms, would confirm its reputation as one difficult decision that conscription reflecting a growing consensus of the premier fighting formations was necessary to sustain the corps. against the war shared by French- in the British Expeditionary Force Dennis’ fate was all but sealed.8 speaking Canadians throughout (BEF). But with this battlefield Returning to Canada in the Ontario.5 Meanwhile, as casualties on triumph emerged two cold realities. middle of May 1917 from a tour the Western Front steadily grew, the By the second half of 1916 there was of Vimy Ridge, and having just national enthusiasm for enlistment a significant decline in the number of participated in the first Imperial War abated, not only in Canada but young men volunteering for service Conference in London, Prime Minister throughout the Empire. Nevertheless, on the Westen Front. This factor, Borden announced to the House of Canadian Prime Minister Robert combined with the large losses being Commons that, since it appeared that “The voluntary system will not yield further substantial results,” it was necessary to propose a programme of “compulsory military enlistment.”9 Subsequently, on 11 June Borden’s government introduced a Military Service Bill which would make all males (British subjects) between 18 and 60 liable to serve. The initial objective was to raise 100,000 men.10 Photo supplied by author. supplied by Photo On 29 August 1917, the Military Service Act (MSA) became law. Events affecting the conscription process then began to move quickly. On 13 October, “a Royal Proclamation called on all men in Class One [young men, either unmarried or childless widowers, between the ages of 20 and 34] to register. But by 10 November, the deadline for registration and claims for exemption, only 21,568 had reported for service, while a remarkable 310,376 (93.7 percent) had applied for exemption.”11 This result was predictable given the broad grounds for redress identified in the act. Local tribunals had the power to declare individuals exempt

Hilaire Dennis was an American by birth who grew up near Windsor, Ontario. Before being conscripted in early 1918 he worked as a streetcar conductor with the American-owned Sandwich, Windsor and Amherstburg Railway.

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The large number of casualties on the Western Front in 1917, particularly at Vimy Ridge in April (right), caused a reinforcement crisis in the Canadian Corps. These high losses led Robert Borden, the Canadian prime minister, to advocate for conscription.

or non-exempt. In fact, in reviewing this crucial portion of the act, it is a wonder that every registrant was not declared exempt. Dennis was caught up in this process. He presented himself for his mandatory medical examination on 10 October, three days before the royal proclamation was issued. Taller than average (5 feet, 10½ inches), 1021 Library PA Canada (LAC) and Archives Dennis was found to be in good Franco-Ontarians like Dennis were England health and ready for service.12 included in this tally is unknown.14 February–May 1918 Events on the Western The military was given formal Front highlighted the need for guidance to treat MSA men the same n 4 February 1918, Private reinforcements. The Canadian as earlier volunteers but the recruiting ODennis, along with 1,607 other assaults on Hill 70 and Lens (15-25 system made a sharp distinction right recruits, embarked for England August) cost the Corps some 9,198 at the outset. Recruits did not sign the aboard HMT Grampian. After a slow casualties. Next came the mud of usual two-page “Attestation Paper” but uneventful passage, Dennis and Passchendaele Ridge (26 October-14 on enrollment but rather completed his fellow draftees disembarked November) where the Corps lost a different one-page document titled at Liverpool on 16 February. From another 15,654 casualties.13 “Particulars of Recruit Drafted Under there it was a 300-kilometre journey Still, the 1917 federal election the Military Service Act, 1917. ” south by rail to Bramshott Camp, held in December, essentially a These particulars were generally a major training base for the CEF referendum on conscription, offered similar to those of volunteers – both which in March housed nearly 17,000 the 20,000 plus conscripts who had were referred to as “recruits,” but soldiers. “reported for service” one last chance for MSA men, they also included The next day, Dennis was taken to avoid serving overseas. However, a “Military Service Act letter and on strength by the 4th Reserve English-speaking Canada firmly number,” a label of dubious value, Battalion. His first two weeks were supported the measure as the pro- but did not include a declaration spent in medical quarantine before conscription Unionist Party scored of allegiance to the Crown like its he commenced what was supposed to a landslide victory (and a 70 seat predecessor document. Perhaps most be a 14-week course in basic infantry majority). importantly, the regimental numbers skills. The syllabus, however, was Almost immediately after the assigned to the majority of MSA men revised to a nine-week program in election, the MSA men from Essex were in a new and different seven- “view of the severe fighting… going County were ordered to report to digit series starting with a “3” or a on in the Western Front and the heavy the 1st Depot Battalion, in London, “4,” which inevitably drew attention demands…for reinforcements.”16 Ontario. Accordingly, on 8 January to their status as “conscripts.”15 On 22 April, the 4th Reserve 1918, Hilaire Dennis and his younger As Dennis moved through the Battalion moved to Witley Camp, first cousin Leo Dennis were enrolled process of being inducted into the 16 kilometres to the northeast. On in the Canadian Expeditionary army prior to departure for England that day, Major-General Francis Force. Surprisingly, only “1500 on 31 January 1918, it is possible Howard, Inspector of Infantry in the francophones” across Canada were that he experienced what Desmond United Kingdom, noted that drafts reported to have formed part of this Morton refers to as a “mixed welcome were “now being sent overseas initial MSA cadre, but whether or not to the ranks.” with 9 weeks’ training.…This is of

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Before being sent to France, Dennis trained in England at Witley and Bramshott Camps. Left: Field Marshal Lord French, Commander-in-Chief of the British Home Forces, inspects Canadian troops at Witley and Bramshott Camps, March 1918. Below left: In May 1918, the King (centre, leaning on walking stick) also inspected Canadian troops where they perform bayonet exercises for the visiting dignitaries. Canadian War Museum (CWM) EM-0463w (CWM) Museum War Canadian to the front, Dennis, as he wrote home on 12 May to his Uncle Frank and Aunt Eliza

was much disappointed Friday night when my unit left for France and I was left behind...I was all ready…when the Captain came up to me and said I had to stay for the next draft…I am left nearly all alone… all the rest were boys from Windsor…we had been together since we left. Believe me it broke

CWM EM-0517q my heart to see them go.18

It is clear that Dennis, like most soldiers who have lived and trained together so closely for months had bonded with his mates and was horrified to see them leave without him. Dennis continued the letter by discussing his training:

course unavoidable, but it puts an When not studying the intricacies end to Platoon Training.” He added of the Lewis Gun, Dennis would further, that “With only 9 weeks to have had some free time. While train men in, it is impossible to train on leave, Dennis had his portrait Lewis Gunners for elementary anti- taken, dressed in the uniform of an aircraft work…”17 General Howard American soldier. While there is no understood the crucial importance record explaining this choice of attire, of the Lewis Gun in the battles that the fact that he was an American Photo supplied by author. supplied by Photo lay ahead. He might also have been citizen and yet a soldier in the CEF thinking that citizen soldiers on seems to suggest it was a deliberate an accelerated weapons training irony. programme in fact needed as much In early May, as the February time as possible to master what drafts completed their basic combat was an entirely new language. But training and prepared for deployment clearly the need to compress the training schedule in order to push Private Dennis photographed in the reinforcements out to the Front earlier uniform of an American solider while on was a source of major concern. leave in England.

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I am qualified for a machine Dennis would soon be sent. Among home to the new arrivals when the gunner and Bomber, and believe the group of Dennis’ comrades Germans staged an air raid on the me Uncle if they ever give me a who had departed before him was camp two days later.22 chance at those wild Germans I Private George Henry Allsop, a On 17 June, Dennis and 1,085 other will cut them down like hay… I conscript from Woodstock, Ontario, Canadian soldiers saw a welcome end am a good bayonet fighter…I don’t who had joined in London, Ontario to Étaples, when they were transferred think that I will be afraid to use the just days before Dennis. It is likely 30 kilometres inland to the Canadian cold steel because I can use it. that Private Allsop, serving with Corps Reinforcement Camp (CCRC) the 18th Battalion, was the first at Aubin-St. Vaast.23 The primary After offering everything he owns Canadian conscript to be killed in purpose of this camp was to hold to his Uncle “because I may drop action when he fell in battle near reinforcements in readiness – about off over here,” Dennis concluded Neuville-Vitasse on 10 June 1918 – a “100 per infantry battalion and ten per his letter with an age-old fatalistic full two months before it is generally cent of other arms, ” until orders were soldier’s lament: thought that Canadian conscripts first received to proceed to the front.24 20 You know my life is not worth ten saw action. The secondary purpose was to teach cents in the Army and I know it. reinforcements the fundamentals of If I die in this war I will die game France how the Corps operated, including because I don’t care if I die now. June-August 1918 the latest changes in tactics and 25 It used to worry me quite a bit “training in open warfare.” This n 1 June, Dennis, part of a you know. I used to worry about approach was entirely different draft of 310 soldiers, finally all those things at home and war O from the British, who by this point proceeded overseas, by rail and over here but now I have to cut in the war were sending conscripts ship to Boulogne and thence to all this out and I don’t care what “direct from UK training camps to the Canadian Infantry Base Depot 26 becomes of me…But if I should the front.” Fortunately for Dennis, at Étaples, France.21 Arriving the lay down my life for the honour he would now have eight weeks to next day, Dennis must have been of my country I ask one thing of complete preparations for the front. struck by the sheer enormity of you, that I get a few spirituelle Later, with his training complete and the war effort, especially on seeing (sic) for my poor soul….as I said the Canadian Corps engaged in an this sprawling complex of military before, I am ready as many other historic offensive to the southeast, facilities. Étaples, the largest camp Canadian lads did to make the word finally arrived that the time for ever created by the British, housed supreme sacrifice for my people training was at an end. about 100,000 people. Here, Dennis and country.19 and his comrades were immediately The Battle of Amiens The draft on 10 May that Private swept up in a tough two-week battle 8-20 August 1918 Dennis missed was a large one indoctrination course – common for – 913 other ranks (ORs), 72 of whom all newly-arrived infantry soldiers. half century ago, J.F.C. Fuller went to the 18th Battalion where The proximity of the war was brought A described the Battle of Amiens,

Canadian troops advance along a road during the Amiens offensive, August 1918. CWM EO-2995

1918 as one of the “decisive battles of of conscripts which had factored of the battle” characterization33 or the Western World.”27 In the event, heavily into his strategy for the Schreiber’s declaration that “The the Canadian Corps, playing its role Battle of Amiens, and which would battle of Amiens…had staggered as the “shock army of the British ultimately provide him the necessary to a close.”34 The account in the Empire,” along with the fierce and manpower for extended offensive British official history that “During redoubtable Australian Corps on its operations. This reserve of manpower the eight days which followed the left flank, and the French 31st Corps was a luxury not available to any 11th of August, no important action on its right, secured for General Sir other Allied corps or army (with the took place on the front of the British Henry Rawlinson (4th British Army), exception of the rapidly building Army or of the French First and one of the greatest Allied victories of American armies to the south). In Third Armies on its right,” is equally the War up to that point.28 fact, many conscripts had already inaccurate.35 The Canadian Corps continued made it to the Front and many of The Allies’ broad objectives had to engage in significant combat at these had fallen with their volunteer still not been achieved – “namely, Amiens even after 11 August. While comrades during the first days of the reduction of the entire salient the offensive had indeed slowed battle at Amiens.31 Moreover, since created by the successful German dramatically, it had not ground to the overall allied commander, Field offensive on March 21 and following a complete halt.29 This fact, coupled Marshal Foch, was still determined days.”36 Currie issued a “special with the harsh reality of over 9,000 to press forward with the Amiens order of the day” on 13 August casualties between 8 and 11 August offensive, it was to this group of declaring that “The first stage of the meant that the Canadian Corps conscripts in ready reserve that Battle of Amiens is…history.”37 His was yet again in need of immediate Currie turned to next. implication was that the next stage and substantial reinforcements.30 In Spearhead to Victory, Dan of this battle was yet to be fought. Previously, those reinforcements Dancocks advanced the view that by This new phase of the offensive was had been drawn from a pool of 11 August, “the Amiens offensive to be a “set piece attack to take place “volunteers” that by now had nearly had just about run its course,”32 a on August 15 or 16 and…was to be dried up. Currie, however, did have more accurate assessment of the carried out in conjunction with the available a rapidly growing pool battle than either Nicholson’s “end French and the Australian Corps.”38

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This attack was eventually cancelled back into support. Meanwhile, two of our platoon got shot through the but the fighting would continue companies each from the 18th and top of the head near me but we had at Amiens for another eight days, 20th Battalions were placed at the to keep going.”48 The 19th Battalion resulting in significant casualties. disposal of the 19th Battalion44 had run into “stout resistance” For Dennis and his fellow for a major “push” the next day, and had “to fight for every foot of reinforcements, the Battle of Amiens in what would apparently be an ground.”49 The 18th Battalion, tasked began on 12 August with a 90 attempt to dislodge enemy forces with protecting the right flank of the kilometre journey to the front. The from the village of Fransart (about 19th Battalion, cleared the southern 18th Battalion had been involved in two kilometres to the east). By now portion of Fransart before one of the fighting on the first day of the however, as Currie had feared, the its platoons captured Posen Trench Battle of Amiens and had sustained Germans were deploying new troops by 2015 hours. The battle cost the 30 killed and 120 wounded and had to oppose his men, including the battalion 21 casualties and the unit received some 56 ORs as replacements “Alpine Corps…one of the enemy’s was relieved the next morning. late on 8 August.39 Now, coming out elite assault Divisions.”45 Clearly, Combat would continue across of divisional reserve, the battalion the Battle of Amiens had not yet the newly-established front line moved back into the line, establishing ended.46 for another 48 hours before “active its headquarters at Fouquescourt. Second Canadian Division operations by the Canadian Corps east Shortly after 0400 hours on 13 August, received word that it would be of Amiens” were brought to an end.50 the 18th Battalion was reinforced by relieved on the night of 16/17 August. This eight-day “lull” for the Canadian two officers (Lieutenants Gerrard But first it faced a tough battle that Corps was not uneventful. Indeed, and Cole) and 100 ORs, including would see large elements of 4th and the 3rd Division assaults alone at Dennis.40 The 4th Brigade war diary 5th Brigades attack the villages of Damery and Parvillers are considered reported that Hallu and Fransart, in cooperation some of their toughest engagements with a 1st Canadian Division attack of the war, distinguished by the …strong reconnoitering and on its right. The Canadian attack was award of two Victoria Crosses. A defensive patrols were pushed to be conducted in conjunction with clear measure of the intensity of out during the night [of the 13th]. an advance towards Roye by the 31st combat from 12 to 20 August, is The enemy appeared very nervous French Corps.47 the approximately 2,748 casualties and continually swept NO MAN’S The attack began at 1630 hours suffered by the Canadian Corps, more LAND with Machine Guns. Our following a 20-minute artillery than were lost on the second day of forward positions and rear area were barrage. The Germans responded the battle of Amiens,51 and still more moderately shelled during the day, with intense machine gun fire that than were lost by the 1st Canadian chiefly by 8.9s from a long range.41 forced one Lewis Gun section led by Division at the Battle of Festubert in veteran Lance Corporal Barnes of 1915.52 On 14 August 4th Brigade The net result of these losses the 19th Battalion “to crawl to take received an operation order calling was a requirement for additional the German front line.” Later, Barnes for the resumption “of the offensive reinforcements, thus leading to the would grimly note, that “Three or four on a date and at an hour to be arrival of more conscripts and an notified later.”42 Subsequently the brigade directed that “Strong patrols” be sent out in order to “work up old communication trenches until resistance was met.” These patrols not only encountered “resistance, ” CWM EO-2966 but were also able to determine that “the enemy was still holding his line.” Shortly thereafter, the “operation was postponed indefinitely,”43 and early the next morning 4th Brigade moved

A Canadian Lewis gun team passes through a German field gun position knocked out earlier in the Amiens offensive.

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accelerated transformation of the few days back, and the experience found itself in the Telegraph Hill Corps. tells on my face quite a lot, and I area, just east of Arras and directly Private Dennis and his fellow know that it is through the good along the south side of the Arras- conscripts had survived their prayers of everyone at home that Cambrai road. Here the Battalion introduction to battle. Bloody and I have been so well protected from waited along with the rest of the battered they had endured high the awful claws of this machine of Canadian Corps for what Currie explosives, gas shells, machine gun destruction over here … would later describe as “the hardest fire, attacks by German aircraft, battle in its history.”54 mortars, grenades and other assorted I must tell you that I received In order to achieve some measure weapons during the furious assault on that Last Box you sent me…and of surprise, Currie launched this a reinforced position and in the fierce everything was O.K. and was attack at 0300 hours on 26 August trench fighting that followed. By the very glad of all the things you with 2nd and 3rd Canadian Divisions evening of 16 August, they too had sent because tobacco like we get positioned south and north of the joined the legions of combat veterans in Canada we can not get it here, Arras-Cambrai Road. The offensive before them. No longer “shirkers,” and uncle when we go up to the began with an “intense” five minute “slackers” or even “conscripts,” front Line with a good shot of rum artillery barrage. The 18th Battalion they were simply ordinary Canadian and a mouthful of good Canadian “jumped off from Tilloy Trench” infantry soldiers. tobacco, I figure myself to be a real in support of 21st Battalion. The 53 The following week, still soldier and feel no fear. Brigade’s overall objective this first recovering from the shock of his day was to capture “Chapel Hill, the first combat, Dennis hastily penned enemy’s main line of resistance west the following thoughts to his aunt The Battle of the Scarpe of Guemappe.”55 By 0630 hours, 4th and uncle: 26-28 August 1918 Brigade had captured its objective, and 90 minutes later the 18th Battalion just a few lines to let you know n the night of 25 August, only had cleared both its primary and that I am still Living. I am on rest five days removed from Amiens O secondary objectives. For Dennis, this for a few days and…Lucky to be and with only three days “rest,” 4th was his second trip “over the top” in able to give you some news to- Brigade again moved into the front ten days. He described this assault in night because I have been through line. Marching 10 kilometres east a letter home: something most awful in the last from Berneville, the 18th Battalion Map drawn by Mike Bechthold ©2009 Mike by Map drawn

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On the second day of the Arras offensive the 18th Battalion was ordered to capture Vis-en-Artois (photographed above in April 1919). The photo to the right shows a German field gun and its crew destroyed during the fighting near Vis-en-Artois.

One night we made an advance in pitch dark about two o’clock in the morning and it was raining heavy,

and there I saw one of the prettiest CWM EO-3814 sights of my Life, one who is weld [sic] to my memory forever. We were crossing two mountains which were about a mile apart. We were on one and the enemy on the other one, and there the heavy guns were roaring something awful and the sky was red with fire through the rain. There was fire splashing through the sky and fire rolling on the mountain in front of after the battle is over one often the top,” for the second time that us…[and] when we reached the wonders how he got through it day, this time as the lead battalion. other mountain…I certainly did without being killed.56 Despite fierce resistance, this advance see some sight in the dark. We succeeded as well. By the end of the had to walk through dead Bodys Given the early success of this initial day, the battalion had “captured the [sic] all over. And then I was wild. 3000 metre advance, the battalion ruined town” and had established a I was right after blood. Uncle it is was ordered to capture the village line 3000 metres beyond it. Follow funny how a man changes when of Guémappe, a further 2500 metres up raids would continue well into he gets in a scrap like that. We to the east. Due to delays in what the night with mixed success. But always get a drink of rum before the battalion would describe as the mood at higher headquarters we start anything and then we can “inadequate” artillery support, this was almost euphoric and Currie was go through fire or do anything. But attack was postponed until 1600 moved to issue the following special hours when the battalion went “over order:

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The nature of the fighting in 1918 was markedly different from the year before. Gone were the mud and trenches of Passchendaele, replaced by the green fields and open warfare of the last hundred days. Here a line of Canadian soldiers cross the swampy valley of the River Sensée, near Vis-en-Artois and Remy.

I desire to congratulate all 2nd Division to reach its first We took a big bunch of prisoners concerned on the magnificent objective, the Sensée River some one morning and I thought it was success achieved this day. It has 3000 metres to the east, then press good for a little lot of Canadians paved the way for greater success forward to Cagnicourt, another 5000 to take so many great Big husky tomorrow. Keep constantly in metres farther east to achieve its germans. They were coming to mind Stonewall Jackson’s motto secondary objective. This ambitious us with their hands up by the “press forward.”57 plan would prove to be too much for hundreds and some of them were the Canadians. crying like Babys [sic], and I’ll Thus marked the end of an After a night of heavy rain, tell you they should rather see extraordinary day of combat, during the 18th Battalion began its attack old man Satan himself than see a which elements of the 18th Battalion towards Vis-en-Artois at 1000 hours bunch of Canadians facing them were engaged during the entire 24 “under a rolling artillery barrage with cold steel.61 hour period, and helped to secure lifting 100 yards every four minutes.” nearly 6000 metres of ground. This The enemy counter-barrage started But the brigade war diary records success came at a relatively light seven minutes later. The brigade that “strong resistance was met 58 cost of 10 killed and 15 wounded. war diary recorded that the troops with [and], the enemy Machine Gun Consequently, the 18th was tasked to showed “splendid spirits [as they] fire was intense.” Subsequently, 59 lead the next day’s assault. gained their first objective, the Sensée “any attempt to advance against Currie envisioned that 2nd and River, very successfully, taking the enemy’s strongly organized 3rd Divisions would continue to many prisoners and causing the system of trenches…caused severe 62 advance astride the Arras-Cambrai enemy severe casualties.”60 Dennis casualties.” As a result the brigade road on 27 August. Currie expected elaborated: was forced to establish its line in a

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series of shell holes west of the Sensée The 4th and 5th Brigades had suffered Heavy casualties were suffered River (rather than east of it), although severe losses during the previous two in the advance to the slope of the the 18th Battalion was still able to days and were essentially a spent Sensée River…Capt Mackedie force a small bridgehead over the force. was shot through the head and stream at the Arras-Cambrai road.63 The first objective on 28 August, instantly killed while rushing a Subsequent attempts to advance the third day of the assault, was the German gun post; Lieut. Cole [who beyond the village of Vis-en-Artois Fresnes-Rouvroy line, a formidable had arrived at the front only two were met with deadly and “withering German line of defence about 1000 weeks before], shot through the enemy fire.”64 This attack proved to metres east of the bridgehead at eye, was afterwards found dead. be very costly. Major McIntosh, the Vis-en-Artois. The capture of this Major Graham and Lts. Lawrance acting CO was wounded, Lieutenant system of trenches was deemed [sic], Donaldson and Krug were Spence, O.C. “A” Coy, “was shot to be “vital to [the] success of wounded. Under terrific fire and killed by a German sniper, and future operations.”67 The secondary the Battalion was compelled to Lieutenant Gerrard, who had arrived objective for 2nd Division was again temporarily withdraw ….”69 at the front only two weeks earlier the village of Cagnicourt, yet another The battle would last well into the with the draft of reinforcements that ambitious 4000 metre advance which, evening. By 2100 hours 4th Brigade included Dennis, suffered severe if successful, would require 4th and held “a line of posts about 300 yards wounds from shell fire. Overall the 5th Brigades to pierce the vaunted S.E. of the [Sensée] River”70 – a small 18th Battalion suffered a staggering Drocourt-Quéant line. It was not to gain for the casualties suffered. 21 killed and 150 wounded.65 be. Most Canadian advances failed Currie would note in his diary that After nearly 48 hours of to gain their objectives that day. “losses were quite heavy today,”71 continuous combat, the 2nd and For Dennis, this was indeed a a steep price for what, at the end of 3rd Divisions were ready for relief. fateful day, both for him and for his this horrific day, turned out to be a Currie had originally intended to comrades who would go over the top holding action. The 18th Battalion lost replace them with 1st Canadian and for the fifth time in 15 days. Dennis 21 soldiers killed in action and two 4th British Divisions. However, the and his comrades advanced slowly up others later died of wounds. Among British unit “was unable to reach the a gradual rise, directly into the teeth these deaths were four conscripts: battle position in time” and Currie of a well positioned and determined Privates Allison, Claus, Jenkins and felt it “was undesirable at this stage enemy. The 4th Brigade war diary McDonald. In addition to the dead, to employ a fresh Division alongside recorded that against a “strong belt the 18th Battalion suffered nearly a Division which had already been of wire…our men [were] held up 300 wounded, among them, Private engaged.”66 Therefore, he ordered the again and again” in their attempts to Dennis. His letter home vividly tired 2nd and 3rd Divisions to resume force their way forward and were met captured his near death experience: their attack on 28 August. with “severe” machine gun fire from In retrospect, a persuasive [the] front and both flanks, which Dear Uncle and Aunt…I figure argument can be made that this was caused many casualties.”68 The 18th myself very lucky to be able to the worst decision Currie would Battalion war diary describes the write to you today because the make during the “Hundred Days.” grim results: day that I got hit there was quite a

A Canadian Field Ambulance unit during the last hundred days.

CWM EO-3031 31 Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2009 11 Canadian Military History, Vol. 18 [2009], Iss. 1, Art. 4

Soldiers being treated at a Canadian Field Ambulance unit during the last hundred days. After the Battle

ennis had been shot from behind Dand seriously wounded by a German machine gun bullet on 28 74 CWM EO-3064 August. Late in the day he began a long and painful road to recovery. His journey started with treatment at a Regimental Aid Post (RAP)75 behind Vis-en-Artois and a temporary Advance Dressing Station (ADS) in the ruins of a nearby factory.76 Dennis stated that he “was hit from the rear right, below the left kidney and the bullet made it through the big hip bone,”77 and exited through the upper few of our Western Ont. boys who stay until nine p.m. before I could pelvic area. The wound was clean, went down and will remain down get out for help. I was certainly an but he had lost a lot of blood. For 78 forever… On Aug 28/18 the day awful sight after rolling myself in Dennis, the war was over. was dull. It had rain [sic] nearly my own blood for all that time. I From the ADS, it is likely that all night the night before and the thought for a while that everything Dennis was moved by stretcher to day followed with close showers. was done for me Because the a “loading post” west of Vis-en- At 12.30 p.m. we got orders to Battle was going on all the time Artois. From there he would have charge the enemy. It was not a that I was in that hole. So I offered travelled via “motor ambulance” to very pleasant job you know after prayers to holy Mary… and I went No.5 Canadian Field Ambulance, passing an awful night in the rain back through more danger but I the Division’s Main Dressing Station and under shell fire, which was managed to reach safety.72 (MDS) located at Achicourt, 12 79 bad enough to drive a man crazy. kilometres behind the front. After So after getting the order to go That night, 2nd Division was relieved having his wounds dressed, he was ahead out of the trench we went by 1st Division just after midnight moved again, this time by lorry over the top in straight line for while 4th British Division finally from Arras to what he described the German Line, and when we relieved 3rd Canadian Division to the as the “first Clearing Station about 80 got within a thousand yards from north. In three days of hard fighting, 30 miles behind the front line.” their lines what an awful reception these two departing divisions had This transfer took Dennis to No.57 we got. Fritz open up [sic] with his suffered 5,801 casualties. In the week Casualty Clearing Station (CCS), machine gun and it was just like that followed, their replacements located at Mingoval, which handled a hail storm forced by a hundred would successfully assault the all seriously wounded men from 81 mile an hour wind. Drocourt-Quéant Line at a cost of 2nd Division. At the CCS Dennis another 5,622 casualties. This was underwent preliminary surgery to I was lucky that there was only further proof that the tired Canadians remove as many bullet fragments as one bullet that went through me of the 2nd and 3rd Divisions had possible and to irrigate the wound Because I was hit in different indeed faced an impossible task on fully in order to help prevent an places through my clothes, and 28 August. infection. Less than 24 hours later, I notice after taking my coat off The Canadian Corps had lost Dennis was transferred, via 20 to dress my wounds that a bullet 11,423 during the Battle of the Scarpe, Ambulance Train, to No.4 General had cut my clothes right across my but it had not been crippled. Quite Hospital at Camiers, just north of shoulders. It was about one p.m. simply, as one historian has said, Étaples – the same place he had o’clock when I got hit and I drop in “Canadians could afford it because arrived some three months earlier. a big shell hole, and there I had to they had conscription.”73 During the next two weeks Dennis’

32 https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol18/iss1/4 12 Dennis: A Canadian Conscript Goes to War

condition improved sufficiently to I am at Princes [sic] Pat. Red restless and sometimes bitter men allow him to undertake the channel Cross hospital where I am taking who just wanted to go home. While crossing, and on 14 September he was treatments for my hip and I am there, Dennis composed one more “invalided to England” aboard the improving quite good and I don’t letter home, this time in French, Auxiliary Transport Princess Elizabeth think I will stay a cripple…Uncle his mother tongue, because his and transported to Ampton Hall it’s wonderful what they can do Uncle Frank had always written to Hospital in Suffolk.82 Dennis passed with a man as Long as there is Life him in French. He told his uncle through five different hospitals in him. My case was a Bad one but that his health has returned (“ma during the course of his recovery.83 they got me on my pins once more santé est bien rétablie”) but that he During his first two weeks in I am able to walk around with the longed to return to Canada to live England Dennis received painful help of a cane…as I told you Before and to die (“retour au Canada pour treatments which were necessary they had to operate on me twice to y vive [sic] et mourir”). He stated to keep his wounds from becoming fix me up. It’s a good thing I had that his experience overseas had infected. One week into this ordeal a very strong constitution Because strengthened his character, and while he wrote the following: I have seen poor fellows die with reassuring his uncle that he has not the same wound I had. Uncle if I changed physically, he added that he I don’t feel anymore pain from live to be a hundred years old I will is much more thoughtful (“beaucoup my wound but they had to go to never forget the horrible sights plus penssive” [sic]). For the first work and inoculate me while I was that I have seen in france…Uncle time he mentioned receiving four weak and it took bad effect on me. you can’t imagine how I wish I was letters from his girlfriend and added My whole Body Brakes up in a home to tell you all my experiences that he is really looking forward rash twice a day and it is an awful I had in three months in france. to a home cooked meal (“Ce que je torture. Sometimes the whole of Those three months are worth all désire de tout mon coeur c’est un my Body turns spoted [sic] white the rest of my Life.85 bon repas canadien que tente [sic] and Blue and my hands are just as Eliza si bien préparre” [sic]). After a stif [sic] as sticks. And then it goes Dennis’ recovery was nothing less year of keeping his French-Canadian away for hours at a time... I have than amazing. On 15 November, he heritage to himself, he was now been that way for four days now was discharged to Kinmel Park, Rhyl attempting to reestablish those roots and hope it doesn’t Last another to await repatriation home. Although with the people he loved most.86 four days Because I feel the effect his horrible wounds would take years Because of wounds received in of that inoculation worst than to fully heal, he was clearly well on combat, Dennis was able to jump my operation and that was Bad his way to recovery. He spent nearly the queue of soldiers waiting for enough Because the Bullet hole two months at Kinmel Park – by repatriation and sailed for Halifax had to Be Clean, and in order to most accounts a dark and dismal on 11 January 1919 aboard HMS clean it they had to cut me open place. As the war ended, Dennis Olympic (sister ship to the Titanic about four inches on each side of was joined by tens of thousands of and the Empire’s largest troopship).87 the hip. But they made a very good job of it.84

After being transferred to the Auxiliary Hospital at Bury St. Edmunds and from there to the Princess Patricia Red Cross Hospital at Bexhill-on-Sea, Dennis’ terrible pain began to slowly subside and,

with lots of therapy, his condition author. supplied by Photo gradually improved. Two months after being wounded his letters home became more optimistic:

Private Dennis kept this souvenir postcard from his repatriation voyage aboard the HMS Olympic.

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Arriving in Halifax on 17 January to Conclusion would not have been a “hundred the cheers of jubilant crowds, he and days.” Instead, the Canadian Corps, his happy comrades disembarked ennis’ eight month journey from while still victorious at Amiens, and and boarded westbound trains. The Dpeace to war reveals much about probably at Arras, would have been details of his arrival in Windsor are the conscription process, and dispels crippled thereafter by the wastage. By not recorded, but three weeks later, a number of myths regarding the 3 September the Corps would have on 10 February 1919, Dennis was crucial role that conscripts played required a significant reorganization discharged. His 400 days in uniform in the final hundred days. The and would likely have been relieved, were over and he, like thousands of argument that conscripts arrived not to wholly reemerge for perhaps his fellow soldiers, was once again a either too late to influence the another six months. But, history civilian. outcome of this campaign, or that records otherwise, thanks in no small Upon his return home, Dennis they arrived in insufficient numbers part to the conscripts, whose timely rarely talked about the war. His brief to make any substantial difference appearance in mid-August 1918 but eventful time at the front had left in the victories that were achieved is guaranteed what Currie referred to him with a debilitating wound which without foundation. With respect to as “the unparalleled striking power caused him pain for the rest of his life, conscripts being “too late,” evidence of our battalions.”90 as well as untreated psychological suggests that conscripts started to arrive at the front and enter combat trauma that would continue to haunt Notes him. He was proud to have served, in small numbers by June 1918, and but like most of his fellow veterans, began to deploy in greater numbers 1. To maximize its effect, the rum needed received no compensation or pension, by the start of the Battle of Amiens. to be served just before “zero hour,” only the passing thanks of a grateful Large numbers of conscripts joined with 15 minutes before being just about nation. the ranks shortly after 11 August, right. See Tim Cook, “More a Medicine Than a Beverage: ‘Demon Rum’ and In the late summer of 1919, Dennis when the understrength infantry the Canadian Trench Soldier of the First married and began to raise a family. battalions needed to replace the 9,000 World War,” Canadian Military History, He did not return to his old job as a casualties suffered over the preceding Vol.9, No.1, Winter 2000, pp.6-22. 2. Surprisingly, neither John Swettenham streetcar conductor. Instead, he found few days. In fact, the arrival of these in To Seize the Victory (Ottawa: Canadian new and physically demanding conscripts in significant numbers at War Museum, 1969), nor Shane Schreiber work at the local foundry of Ford this point could not have been any in Shock Army of the British Empire (St. Catharines, ON: Vanwell, 2005) mention Motor Company. At the outset of timelier, since the hundred days the role of conscripts in the “hundred the Second World War, his eldest campaign was just getting started.88 days” although the latter provides much The arrival of the conscripts detail on overall casualties but only a son volunteered for the air force. His glimpse of the “reinforcement” issue. son’s first operational flying base with allowed Canadian infantry battalions Desmond Morton offers conflicting the Royal Air Force was at Dunsfold to remain at full strength despite the views on this subject. In Canada and War: high casualties sustained in the final A Military and Political History (Toronto: in Surrey – a mere 10 kilometres from Butterworth & Co., 1981) he wrote that his father’s camp at Witley. Dennis’ campaign of the war. The Canadian “Conscripts only began reaching the son would also be wounded, and Corps suffered over 45,000 dead or Corps during the hard casualty-filled days of the advance to Mons. If the war would return to Canada a changed wounded during this period – 20 per had lasted until 1919, the MSA men man, to be welcomed by a father who cent of all Canadian casualties during would have been needed.” (p.79) But had known the horrors of war, and the war. As a result of these heavy during a public lecture on “The Final 100 Days” at the 3rd Windsor Military Studies feared that his own son would not losses, by the end of the second Battle Conference on 15 February 2008, he be equally lucky enough to survive. of Arras, conscripts would have acknowledged that the ready availability Dennis did not live to be “a comprised at least 10-15 per cent of of conscripts in large numbers by mid- August 1918 had in fact prevented the hundred years old.” One year the rifle companies in every Canadian Corps from being crippled by attrition in after retiring from the Ford Motor infantry battalion. Moreover, by the costly battles of Amiens and Arras. For Company he passed away suddenly Canal du Nord, this ratio was up his part, Michel Gravel in Tough As Nails (Ottawa: CEF Books, 2006) argues that up from a heart attack and with him to 20 per cent of the strength of the to 50 per cent of conscripts were actually went the memories of his experiences. 48 infantry battalions. That number “volunteers recruited in the USA” (p.162). would have increased to about 25 This assertion is based on his analysis of Nevertheless, a partial record survives one draft of conscripts assigned to the and it offers a glimpse inside the per cent by Cambrai and continued 14th Battalion Royal Montreal Regiment collective story of 100,000 conscripts to grow steadily.89 The contribution of (RMR) in late August 1918 and “a cursory look” at “other drafts of men from the and the pivotal role that thousands conscripts to the successful execution same period.” This view, however, of them played in the hundred days of the hundred days campaign is is fraught with a number of issues. campaign. unequivocal. Without conscripts there “Volunteers” had a broader definition

34 https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol18/iss1/4 14 Dennis: A Canadian Conscript Goes to War

in 1918. By then America could legally 14. Granatstein, “Conscription in the Great Chs.1-3; Schreiber, ch.3; Swettenham, draft British subjects living in the US War,” p.68. ch.11; Dean Chappelle, “The Canadian while Canada was authorized to do the 15. Nicholson, p.351 and Annex E, pp.551- Attack at Amiens, 8-11 August 1918,” same for US citizens resident in Canada. 553 notes a number of anomalies in Canadian Military History, Vol.2, No.2, Consequently, as many as 46,000 British the assignment of these regimental 1993, pp.89-101. subjects in the US were recruited by numbers. Although the majority of MSA 29. Kevin Shackleton, Second to None: The British Canadian Recruiting Missions in men would have been given seven digit Fighting 58th Battalion of the CEF (Toronto: places like Boston and Detroit. However, numbers starting with 3 or 4, many The Dundurn Group, 2002), p.251. “By the choice was to be drafted into the US MSA men were not (e.g. the 2nd Depot August 10th, the major Canadian attacks army or to volunteer for the Canadian Battalion, British Columbia Regiment had come to an end replaced by smaller army. In addition, “volunteers” from gave out unused numbers reserved for efforts designed to break into the trench New England who were recruited in volunteer reinforcements of west coast lines of the 1916 Somme front.” Boston and given train fare to Canada, regiments), while some volunteers were 30. G.W.L. Nicholson, p.419. would likely have made Montreal their given the “3 or 4” prefix”. 31. Dancocks, p.86. Dancocks stated “Amiens first stop, where no doubt the RMR would 16. War Diary [WD], Canadian Training was also the last great battle fought by have beckoned. Hence the reason why Division [CTD] Canadian Headquarters the Canadian Corps as an all volunteer conscript drafts for the RMR would have Bramshott, February 1918, T-10665, force.” Since many conscripts fought logically included a high number of so volume [Vol] 4865, Record Group [RG] and died at Amiens on 8 - 11 August, this called “volunteers” from the USA. 9, Library and Archives Canada [LAC], statement is simply not true. It is probably 3. J.L. Granatstein, “Conscription in the and WD, 4th Res Battalion, February fairer to say that this distinction goes to Great War,” David Mackenzie, ed., 1918, T-10760, vol. 4950, RG 9, LAC.; WD, the Canadian attacks at Moreuil Wood Canada and the First World War (Toronto: Memorandum CTD Bramshott March and Rifle Wood 30 March – 1 April 1918. University of Toronto Press, 2005), p.72. 1918. In terms of “great” battles on the scale of 4. Canada House of Commons Debates, 12 17. WD, General Staff Canadian Troops Amiens, it could be persuasively argued January 1910. Witley, CTD Training Inspection dated that Passchendaele – not Amiens – was 5. Morton, Canada and War, pp.61-63. 22 April 1918, T-10665, Vol 4865, RG 9, the last such event in the history of the 6. Privy Council 36/1916. See Colonel LAC. all volunteer Canadian Corps. G.W.L. Nicholson, Canadian Expeditionary 18. Personal Letters, Private Hilaire Dennis, 32. Ibid, p.72. Force, 1914-1919 (Ottawa: Queen’s Printer, 12 May 1918. 33. G.W.L. Nicholson, p.414. 1962), pp.215-8. 19. Ibid. Note: On enrolment, all privates were 34. Schreiber, p.55. 7. Nicholson, p.546. paid one dollar a day. Once dispatched 35. BOH, Volume IV, 8th August – 26th 8. Terry Copp, “Robert Borden, Arthur “overseas” they received an additional September, (London: HM Stationery Currie and Canada’s War 1917-1918,” The ten cents a day. Perhaps this was an Office, 1947), p.163. McCrae House Lecture Series, 24 January unintentional reference to this overseas 36. Arthur Currie, Report of the Ministry: 2008, Guelph, ON. The two factors bonus, but it is nevertheless ironic when Overseas Military Forces of Canada, 1918 driving Borden’s unilateral decision on one considers that in exchange for placing (London: H.M. Stationery Office, 1919), conscription were “wastage” and the their lives on the line, Privates were doing p.133. marked “decline in recruitment.” so for a 10 cent premium. 37. Mark Humphries, ed., The Selected Papers 9. Canada, House of Commons, Debates, 20. Sandy Antal and Kevin R. Shackleton, of Sir Arthur Currie: Diaries, Letters, 18 May 1917. For excellent and detailed Duty Nobly Done: The Official History of the and Report to the Ministry, 1917-1933. summaries of the conscription process Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment (Windsor, (Waterloo: LCMSDS Press of Wilfrid see Nicholson, Chapter XI in its entirety, Ontario: Walkerville Publishing, 2006), Laurier University, 2008) 103. as well as J.L. Granatstein, “Conscription p.647. The first conscript to die in France 38. Currie, Report, p.140. in the Great War,”, David Mackenzie, ed., was probably Private Frederick Broom, 39. WD, 18th Canadian Infantry Battalion Canada and the First World War, pp.62- 20th Battalion, on 26 May 1918, who is (CEF), August 1918, T-10721, Vol 4926, 75, Morton, Canada and War, 68-75, and buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery. RG 9, LAC. Morton, When Your Number’s Up (Toronto: 21. WD, General Staff Canadian Troops 40. WD, 18th Battalion CEF, 13 August 1918 Random House, 1993), pp.62-70. Witley, June 1918 and Military Records, and Official Military Records Private 10. Nicholson, p.344. Private Hilaire Dennis, Casualty Form Hilaire Dennis, Casualty Form – Active 11. H.Q. 1064-30-6, Vol. 1 Minutes of Military – Active Service , M.F.W. 54 Service , M.F.W. 54, Entry for 13.8.18. Service Council Meeting 1 September 22. WD, Canadian General Base Depot 41. WD, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade (4 1917, The Canadian Annual Review, 1917, (Etaples), June 1918, T-10940, Vol 5048, Bde), August 1918, T-10680, Vol 4883, RG pp.349-351 as quoted in Nicholson, RG 9, LAC. 9, LAC. p.347. Note: Exemptions were eventually 23. WD, Canadian General Base Depot 42. WD, 2nd Canadian Division (2nd Cdn cancelled by Order in Council (O in (Etaples), June 1918. Div), General Staff, 14 August 1918, C) on 19 April 1918 resulting in a legal 24. Adjutant-General, General HQ, to HQ T-1929-1930, Vol 4847, RG 9, LAC. The challenge and a further O in C in July 1918 Cdn. Corps, 5 Dec 1917 on Cdn. Sec. GHQ War Diary for 2nd Cdn Div makes it (Nicholson, 350). Also, see The Military file E-38-5, Vol. 3. See Nicholson, p.230. quite clear that all necessary preparations Service Act, 1917, Statutes of Canada 1917, 25. See Antal and Shackleton, p.267 and were in fact underway to resume the George V, Chapter 19, paragraph 11. Schreiber, p.19 and 26. offensive as late as three days after the 12. Attestation Paper, Hilaire Dennis. On 6 26. Malcolm Brown, The Imperial War Museum so called “lull” had commenced. Crucial April the United States had entered the Book of 1918: Year of Victory (London: Pan to those preparations was the kind of war, and in May it had implemented its Books, 1999), p.106. probing and consolidation efforts that own draft, thus eliminating this once 27. J.F.C. Fuller, The Decisive Battles of the were subsequently undertaken by 4 Bde. neutral country as a place of potential Western World, Volume 3 (London: Eyre In short, to the men of the 2nd Cdn Div, refuge for Dennis and other Americans and Spottiswoode, 1956), pp.276-279. the “battle” of Amiens was not over yet, living in Canada to avoid conscription. 28. For details on the strategic background not by a long shot. 13. Nicholson, pp.297, 327 & 329. See also J.E. and the preparations for The Battle of 43. WD, 4 Bde., 14 August 1918. Note: Edmonds, Military Operations, France and Amiens 1918, see G.W.L. Nicholson, “operation” in this context refers to the Belgium, 1917, Volume II British Official ch. XIII; Daniel G. Dancocks, Spearhead renewed offensive contemplated by History of the Great War [BOH] (London: to Victory: Canada and the Great War Foch. HM Stationery Office, 1948). (Edmonton: Hurtig Publishers, 1987), 44. Ibid, 15 August 1918.

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45. WD, 2nd Cdn Div, 15 August 1918. 66. Currie, Report, p.149. fell on day one – August the 8th. Those 46. Desmond Morton and J.L. Granatstein, 67. WD, 2nd Cdn Div, 27 August 1918. numbers would increase steadily over the Marching to Armageddon: Canadians and 68. WD, 4 C.I.B., August 1918, Appendix 31, next 10 days then expand significantly at the Great War 1914-1919 (Toronto: Lester “The Advance August 28th”. Arras on 26 August and thereafter. & Orphen Dennys Ltd, 1989), p.204. 69. WD, 18th Battalion CEF, 28 August 89. Nicholson, Appendix C. Note: While the Note: Despite the declaration by these 1918. CEF recruited only 4,317 officers and men two distinguished historians that “On 70. WD, 2nd Cdn Div, 28 August 1918. in December 1917, that number rose in August 15 the Amiens battle ended”, 71. Humphries, p.111. January 1918 to 19,009 with the call up of the events of the following day clearly 72. Personal Letters, Private Hilaire Dennis, conscripts. It then fell to 8,910 in February, suggest otherwise. 21 September 1918. and to 9,505 in March. With respect to the 47. Nicholson, p.419. 73. Desmond Morton, “The Final 100 Days”, initial phase of the “the hundred days” 48. Bruce Cane, It Made You Think of Home: Keynote Address, 3rd Windsor Military (Amiens to Arras 08 Aug – 03 Sep), only The Haunting Journals of Deward Barnes, Studies Conference, Windsor, Ontario, 15 those conscripts recruited in the period Canadian Expeditionary Force 1916-1919 February, 2008. Jan - Mar 1918 were considered here as (Toronto: The Dundurn Group, 2004), 74. Andrew Iarocci, “The Hundred Days: potential participants, mainly because p.235. Ordinary Soldiers and the 1918 Victory it would have taken about four or five 49. WD, 4 Bde, Narrative of Operation 16th Offensives,” The McCrae House Lecture months for their training and transport August 1918, Appendix 24, 3-4. Series, 24 January 2008, Guelph, Ontario. etc., before they could have arrived at a 50. Nicholson, p.419. “Up until this phase of the war, the front line unit. Second, given recruiting 51. Morton and Granatstein, p.203. majority of men had been killed by trends at this point in the war, it is 52. Tim Cook, At the Sharp End: Canadians artillery, but were now killed largely by assumed that no more than 25 % of all Fighting the Great War, 1914-1916, Volume machine gun fire.” recruits in this period were “volunteers” One (Toronto: Viking Canada, 2007). 75. See Sir Andrew Macphail, Official History and officers. The balance was conscripts. The Battle of Festubert: May 15 to 21, of the Canadian Forces in the Great War 1914- Therefore 75% of 37,514 is 28,135. This 1915 came at “the shocking cost of 2,605 19: The Medical Services (Ottawa: F. A. is probably the maximum number that casualties…” Acland, King’s Printer, 1925), p.133-134. could have reached France by August 53. Personal Letters, Private Hilaire Dennis, 76. WD, No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance. 1st. However, even if this number is 23 August, 1918. Note: these words were 25th-29th August 1918, T-10915-10916, reduced in half to some 14,000 plus, hastily written sideways on a handful of Vol 5028, Part 2, RG9, LAC. it is not inconsequential. Lieut. Gen. pages in a miniature bank book, which 77. Personal Letters, Private Hilaire Dennis, Currie knew in advance of Amiens that Dennis then ripped out and mailed to 28 October 1918. conscripts would arrive in time to support his family in Canada from “Somewhere 78. Antal and Shackleton, p.181. his battle plans and secondly that they in france [sic].” 79. WD, No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance. would also arrive in sufficient numbers. 54. Currie, Report, p.144. 25th-29th August 1918. He was correct on both counts. Moreover 55. WD, 4 Bde, 25 August 1918. 80. Personal Letters, Private Hilaire Dennis, he could also rely on a steady stream 56. Personal Letters, Private Hilaire Dennis, 28 October 1918. of follow on conscripts most of whom 28 October 1918. Note: “Assembly” for 81. WD, Assistant Director of Medical played a significant part at the breaching the 18th Battalion was at 2.00 a.m. Second, Services, 2nd Canadian Division, August of the Drocourt-Queant line, Canal du it is interesting that Dennis would refer 1918, T-10911, Vol 5025, RG9, LAC. Nord, Bourlon Wood, Cambrai,and to hills only a few hundred metres tall 82. OfficialMilitary Records, Private Hilaire beyond. as mountains, but for a lad raised on Dennis, Casualty Form – Active Service, 90. Currie, Report, p.153. the flat corn and tomato fields of Essex September, 1918. County, the contours of this landscape 83. Personal Letters, Private Hilaire Dennis, were a sharp departure from what he 28 October 1918. knew. Third, the “mountains” referred 84. Personal Letters, Private Hilaire Dennis, to in this letter are “Telegraph Hill” – the 21 September 1918. 18th Battalion’s stepping off point, and 85. Personal Letters, Private Hilaire Dennis, Colonel Patrick M. Dennis (ret’d) OMM, “Chapel Hill.” 28 October 1918. CD (BA, University of Windsor; MA, 57. See WD, 19th Battalion, August 1918, 86. Personal Letters, Private Hilaire Dennis, University of Northern Colorado) is also Appendix 6, p.34. 28 October 1918. a graduate of the NATO Defence College 58. WD, 18th Battalion CEF, 26 August 87. The souvenir postcard that Dennis kept and the United States Joint Forces Staff 1918. for the rest of his life is a photo of HMS College. He served abroad for over 22 59. Antal and Shackleton, p.285. Olympic with the words “The Ship That years, including senior appointments in 60. WD, 4 Bde, August 1918, Appendix Brought Me Home,” Left Southampton, NATO, NORAD and as the Canadian 31, “Narrative of Operations, South of January 11th, Arrived Halifax, January Defence Attaché in Israel. In the past Scarpe, 26th, 27th, and 28th August, 17th, 1919, 1914 – Canadian Expeditionary year he has published an historical piece 1918”, “The Advance August 27th”. Force – 1918 (followed by a list of all the on NATO AWACS that appeared in the 61. Personal Letters, Private Hilaire Dennis, CEF’s main battlefields). Canadian Military Journal as well as an 28 October 1918. 88. The “Hundred Days” lasted only 96 article on World War I battlefields in 62. WD, 4 Bde, August 1918, Appendix 31, days in reality but conscripts were there Esprit de Corps. Currently he is an adjunct “The Advance August 27th”. right from the beginning. While precise professor in political science at Wilfrid 63. Ibid. numbers are unclear, a tour of military Laurier University where he specializes 64. Antal and Shackleton, p.285. cemeteries outside Amiens provides in political-military affairs. 65. Antal and Shackleton, p.286. ample evidence that many conscripts

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