remni december 27

December 27

remembrance ni

Vimy Ridge in northern France is Canada’s largest overseas national memorial.

The Vimy Ridge MemorialSituated on land granted by France to the Canadian people, the memorial towers over the scene of Canada’s most recognizable First World War engagement, the Battle of

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Vimy Ridge, fought from 9 to 12 April 1917. The imposing structure was designed by Walter Allward, one of Canada’s most famous sculptors, whose commissions included the national memorial commemorating Canada’s participation in the South African War (1899-1902).

Allward began work on the Vimy memorial in 1925 and completed it 11 years later at a cost of $1.5 million. It is adorned by 20 allegorical figures representing faith, justice, peace, honour, charity, truth, knowledge, and hope.

A key figure, “Canada mourning her fallen sons,” speaks to the country’s wartime losses.

The Vimy Memorial is inscribed with the names of 11,285 Canadians who were killed on French soil and have no known graves.

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The Legacy

The Vimy Memorial was unveiled in July 1936 to a crowd of more than 100,000, including 6,000 Canadian veterans who had traveled overseas for the ceremony. The Memorial survived the Second World War, despite fears that German forces would destroy it after France’s surrender. Adolf Hitler visited and was photographed at the site in 1940. Since the Second World War, there have been several formal, and countless informal, Canadian pilgrimages to the Memorial and the 91-hectare park of Canadian trees and shrubs surrounding it.

In 2007, after several years of extensive restoration work, the Vimy Ridge Memorial was unveiled to dignitaries and several thousand Canadian visitors. It is the principal site of

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Canadian remembrance and commemoration overseas, and one of the most widely recognized symbols of Canada’s military past.

NI links with Canadian forcesIn common with many United Kingdom emigrants to Canada, men from Northern Ireland enlisted in Canadian forces on the outbreak of both World Wars. The ties of

Empire were still strongly felt in Canada.

The following Roll of Honour is for the months October to December.

1914

+LAVERY, James SterlingRoyal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 2nd Bn. Private. 10097. Died 21/10/1914. Age 24. Born about 1890 in Cookstown. Son of William James Lavery and Ellen Lavery. After leaving school James served his apprenticeship in the offices of Gunnings Factory. He immigrated to Canada where he remained for two years before returning home. James was married to Edith Lavery. He joined the army in Cookstown and trained in Omagh. Soon after the outbreak of hostilities he was sent to Dover, from where he went to France in one of the earliest drafts. Strand Military Cemetery, Comines-

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Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium. Gunnings Factory WM at Cookstown RBL

+WILSON, William A JRN. AB. J4776. HMS Monmouth. Died 01/11/1914. Age 19. Born Belfast. Son of William Robert and Mary Wilson, of Plumas, Manitoba, Canada. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 2.

1915

+REID, William Douglas

Canadian Overseas Railway Construction Corps (Canadian Civilian). Sapper. 502120. Died 10/11/1915. Age 27. Son of Douglas and Eliza Reid. He was born 29/05/1888 in Derryfubble, Dungannon. His father was a farmer who died in March 1910. William emigrated to Canada. Before enlisting he was living at No. 6 Firehall, Vancouver, British Columbia. He was working as a trackman, laying down railway track. William Reid enlisted in Vancouver in October 1915. Sapper William Reid who died as a result of an accident, is believed to be buried in Pinehill Cemetery, Mattawa, Ontario, Canada.

1916

+CARSON, Andrew James

Canadian Infantry, 1st Btn. Private. 400738. Died 21/11/1916. Age 23. Andrew James Carson was the son of Joseph and Lizzie Carson. Andrew Carson was born on 02/01/1893 in the Eskermore area of Dungannon. They were a farming family. Andrew Carson emigrated to Canada. Prior to

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enlisting, he worked as a turner. Andrew enlisted in January 1915 in London, Ontario. He gave his next of kin as his father, Joseph, who was living in London, Ontario. Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

+LAWSON, Robert GeorgeCanadian Pioneers. 3rd Btn. Private. 138211. Died 04/10/1916. Age 23. Born 23/03/1893, son of William John and Matilda Lawson of Miltown (South Side), Dungannon. He served for one year with the Ulster Volunteers before emigrating to Canada in 1915 where he worked as a grocery packer. He enlisted in Toronto on 09/09/1915. He died of gun shot wounds received in the vicinity of Regina Trench. Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas De Calais, France. Dungannon WM

+KEERS, JosephMercantile Marine Reserve. Carpenter. HM Yacht Kethalles. Died 11/10/1917. Age 46. Son of James and Sarah Keers, Coleraine, Londonderry, Ireland; husband of Harriet L. Keers, Albert St., Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 25.

1917

+BELL, RichardCanadian Infantry, 38th Bn. Sergeant. 410683. Died 30/10/1917. Age 24. Richard was born on 04/03/1893 in Dromiskin, County Louth. He was the son of William Bell. He had an older brother, James Bell. By 1911, it seems the two brothers had moved to Castlecaulfield to work for their grandfather. The two brothers then emigrated to Canada. Richard enlisted on 21/05/1915 in Lindsay, Ontario. He

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joined the 59th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry. He was in killed in action near the town of Ypres in West Flanders, at the Battle of Passchendaele. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

+CAMPBELL, Robert Thomas

Canadian Army Medical Corps, 11th Field Amb.Private. 531709. Died 27/10/1917. Son of Robert and Deborah Campbell. He was born on 14/01/1889 at Legane, Aughnacloy. Robert’s father was a farmer. By 1911 Robert had emigrated to Canada . Robert was a resident at Robertson College. Robert’s enlistment papers of 06/03/1916 state his next of kin as his brother James. He gives his Trade as a Druggist’s Assistant. He was 5' 8" tall. He had previously served on the University of Alberta Canadian Officers' Training Corps (COTC). Nine Elms Britsh Cemetery, Belgium. Dungannon WM

+HEGAN, JamesCanadian Infantry, 7th Btn. Private. 437103. Died 12/11/1917. He was severely wounded by a shell. He died two days later. Age 22. Born Cookstown 26/03/1895. Son of William John and Mary Hegan. His father was a farmer and they lived in Ballysudden, Tullyhogue. James Hegan emigrated to Canada where he worked as a farmer. He enlisted in Edmonton when he was 20 years old. Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinghe, West-Vlaanderen, Belgum. Sandholes PCI RH1918

+CUPPLES, DavidCanadian Infantry. 31st Bn. Alberta Regiment. Private 2138287. Died 11/10/1918. Born 01/03/889, son of David

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Cupples and Jane Wilson, Kells, Ballymena who married in Randalstown OC Presbyterian Church on 17/07/1878. Queant Communal Cemetery British Extension, Pas de Calais. Kells Presbyterian Church RH

+DOUTHER, Archibald18th (Western Ontario) Battalion. Sergeant. 53042. Died 13/12/1918 at 12 Canadian General Hospital, Bramshott. Enlisted in Fergus, Ontario in the 18th (Western Ontario) Battalion on the 24/10/1914, pointing out that he was ‘enlisting as a regimental tailor’; he was a tailor by trade. His service was later deemed to be from the 29 April. He was 5’ 9” tall, had brown eyes and brown hair, and said he was a Methodist. He was married, his wife Martha then being at North End, Ballyclare. During the war, since Archibald was to serve only in England, she lived at 3, Hillview Terrace, Etchinghill, Lyminge, Kent. He said he was born in Ballyclare, elsewhere Larne, but he was actually born at Drains, Cairncastle on the 28/09/1888 and he was the son of carpenter Thomas Douther and Agnes Elizabeth McConnell. He left Canada from Halifax aboard the SS Grampian on the 18/04/1916 with the 18th Battalion and landed in England on the 29 April. He passed through the 36th Battalion before going to the 39th Battalion. He stayed there until transferred to the 6th (Reserve) Battalion on 04/01/1917. Archibald Douther was one of those struck down by the Spanish influenza outbreak at the end of the Great War. He was ill by the 11/12/1918 and his illness was designated ‘influenza-pneumonia’ the next day. His problems developed rapidly and he was seriously ill on the 13th. He died at 12 Canadian General Hospital, Bramshott at 5.45 pm that day. He was a member of Ballyclare True

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Blues LOL 957. Archibald Douther's body was brought home and is buried in Ballyclare New Cemetery.

+FERSON, James Canadian Machine Gun Corps 4th Btn. Private. 237471. Died 01/10/1918. Born 04/09/1889, son of William Ferson of Drumnacross, Cookstown. He emigrated to Canada as a teenager and found work as a tramway conductor in Toronto. He enlisted in Toronto on 10th April 1916 and was described as being five feet four and three quarter inches tall, with blue eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion. He was not married. At Easter 1918 he was home on leave in Cookstown recovering from being gassed in an attack by the enemy. He was killed in action by a machine gun bullet through the heart as he was getting his own machine gun into action. Canada Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Cambrai, Nord, France. Kildress C of I Parish WM

+NEVILLE, Robert Alberta Regiment (Canadian Infantry). Private. 433137. Died 01/10/1918. Age 26. Born in County Tyrone on 03/07/1893, son of James and Helena Neville. The 1911 census shows Robert as 17. He is working on his father’s farm. The family lived at Moygashel, Dungannon. Robert emigrated to Canada where he worked as a farmer. He enlisted on 06/05/1915 at Edmonton, aged 22. He was single and gives his next of kin as his father. Etaples Military Cemetery, Etaples, Pas De Calais, France. Dungannon WM

+SHEA, RichardCanadian Infantry. 27th Bn. Private.187695. Died 02/10/1918. Aged 29. Son of Michael John and Mary Shea, of Kiltennell, Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland. Richard was born

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in Gorey, County Wexford around 1890. Both his mother and his father were teachers. Richard Shea emigrated to Canada and enlisted in Winnipeg, in November 1915, he gave his next of kin as his sister Margaretta Shea of Augher, County Tyrone. Richard was an electrician by trade. At the time of his death, newspaper reports note his sister Margaretta was living at Union Place, Dungannon with her aunt, Mrs Sloan. Canada Cemetery, Tilloy-Lez-Cambrai, Nord, France

1920

+BREADON, Joseph

Canadian Infantry. 58th Btn. Private. 451976. Died 10/10/1920 of related injuries/illness. Age 29. Joseph emigrated to Canada. He worked as a grocery clerk. He enlisted on 23/07/1915 in Toronto. He was 24 and single. He saw service in Europe. Joseph had married Sarah Breadon of Toronto, Ontario, by the time of his death. Born 08/11/1891. in Fivemiletown. Son of Thomas and Mary Breadon, of Alderwood, Fivemiletown. Toronto (St. John’s Norway) Cemetery, Canada. Fivemiletown WM

1940

+BARRE, James GordonRNVR. Sub - Lieutenant (E). Died 02/12/1940. Age 23. HMS Forfar. Bangor. Son of Robert J. and Esther C. Barre, of Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Liverpool Naval Memorial, Panel 4, Col 1.1943

+CRAWFORD, Harry JamesRAFVR. Sergeant (Navigator). 973264. Died 21/10/1943.

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Aged 22. 161 Sqdn. Son of Harry and Jean M. Crawford, of Ballymoney; husband to Mary Crawford, of Cenore, Saskatchewan, Canada. Valenciennes (St Roch) Communal Cemetery, Nord, France

+LUCAS, Thomas Francis Crozier Royal Canadian Air Force. Leading Aircraftsman. R/77062. Died 05/12/1940. Aged 28. He was born on 09/02/1912 in the Markethill area. It seems Thomas emigrated to Canada. Thomas enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force, On 05/12/1940, Thomas Lucas was a student pilot at the Royal Canadian Air Force Training School in Malton, Toronto. His plane was in collision with another plane and he was killed instantly in the accident. Son of the Revd. John Henry Lucas and Anna E. Lucas, of The Rectory, Moy, Co. Tyrone. Montreal (Mount Royal) Cemetery, Quebec, Canada. Moy WM

+HARKINS, Andrew

Royal Canadian Engineers. Sapper. D/16141. Died 06/12/1944. Aged 37. Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Harkins, of Belfast, Northern Ireland; husband to Mary Harkins, of Verdun. Montreal (Mount Royal) Cemetery, Quebec, Canada

VETERAN

HUNTER, Hugh

Gunner (Service Number 1250752), Canadian Field Artillery. Hugh enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 24 April 1917 at Regina, Saskatchewan, and served initially with the 77th Depot Battery, Canadian Field

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Artillery. He was born on 12/12/1892 in Portstewart and as a young man emigrated to Canada. Prior to joining up he was employed as a traveller for the McDonald and Crawford Company, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. His parents, Mr. Hugh and Mrs. Mary Hunter, lived at Coleraine Road, Portstewart. He is commemorated on Portstewart Presbyterian Church's Roll of Honour and the Roll of Honour of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

On this Day - December 27 1939

The Finnish 9th Division attacks towards Suomussalmi, recapturing the village and forcing the Russian 163rd Division to retreat in panic.

US State Department protests British removal and censorship of US mail from neutral ships.

1941

Japanese bomb Manila despite “open city” declaration.

Australian Prime Minister John Curtin proclaims, “Australia looks to America.”

Japanese sub I-25 shells US tanker Connecticut off the mouth of the Columbia River.

US announces rationing of tires and all rubber goods, effective January 5.

December 27

British and Norwegian Commandos raid the Norwegian port of Vågsøy, causing Hitler to reinforce the garrison and defenses.

The Australian Prime Minister, Curtin, announces, “Australia looks to America”.

The Red Army continues its counter-offensive in the Kalinin area.

1942

Hitler agrees to allow the retreat by Army Groups A and D on to a line 150 miles west of Stalingrad.

General Giraud becomes the leader of French Africa.

Germans form Smolensk Committee to persuade Soviet POWs to fight for Axis.

1943

In Italy, the Allied advance halts at Monte Cassino.

President Roosevelt signed an order seizing the railroads of the United States in advance of a December 30 strike of rail workers, and at 7:00 pm Washington time, soldiers from the U.S. Army began taking control of lines affected by the impending walkout.

1944

British troops reach Foul Point in Arakan.

The Russians capture Gran, this cutting all communications with Budapest and trapping five German and Hungarian divisions.

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Soviets encircle Budapest, Hungary, beginning 102-day siege.

The siege of Bastogne ends in U.S. Victory.

German submarine U-877 was depth charged and sunk northwest of the Azores by Canadian corvette HMCS St. Thomas using Squid.

1945

The US, UK, and USSR agree to govern Korea jointly for five years.

Roll of Honour - December 27 Representing their comrades who died on this day

1916

+HETHERINGTON, James

Canadian Infantry, 148th Btn. Private. 841318. Died 27/12/1916. Born 27/09/1871 in County Tyrone. James emigrated to Canada. He was working as a mason. James served with the 5th Royal Highland Regiment of Canada for 17 years. He was living at 362A St Antoine Street, Montreal, Quebec when he enlisted. Private James Hetherington had a brother-in-law Robert Davidson, who lived and worked as a labourer in Ballynasaggart, Ballygawley. James arrived in

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Ballygawley just before Christmas 1916 to stay for a week. Private Hetherington left by train on 27/12/1916 to rejoin his unit, the 148th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry. Unfortunately, at Belfast railway station, Private Hetherington had exited his train on Platform 3 and was walking across the tracks to Platform 4 when he was hit by another train. He was killed instantly. Belfast City Cemetery

1917

+WILSON, John

Regiment & Unit/Ship Royal Irish Rifles, 15th Btn. attd. 6th Btn. Second Lieutenant. Died 27/12/1917. Age 22. Son of William Wilson, of Enniskillen. Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)

1940

+CALLAGHAN, William Edward

RAF. Sergeant. 623929. Died 27/12/1940. Aged 19. 220 Sqdn. Coastal Command. Member of the aircrew onboard a Hudson II (T9373). During a night patrol on 27/12/1940, the aircraft ran out of fuel. The crew abandoned and the Hudson crashed. Sergeant Callaghan was thought to have been lost at sea. He was a member of Ballindrum Pipe Band, Moneymore. Son of Edward and Evelyn Callaghan, of Portadown. Runnymeade Memorial, Panel 1

+STEWART, Frederick

RAF. Aircraftman. 638353. Died 27/12/1940. Age 22. Son of Robert and Rebecca Stewart, of Cookstown. East Bridgford (St. Peter) Churchyard, Nottinghamshire. Cookstown WM

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1941

+SCOTT, Randal ArchibaldRAFVR. Sergeant. 981198. Died 27/12/1941. 58 Sqdn. On the night of 27th / 28th December 1941 he was with 58 Squadron and was based at Linton-on-Ouse from where he flew on a mission to Dusseldorf. Sergeant Scott was flying an Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley Mk V Aircraft, number Z9210 which was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over the city of Moers which is to the west of Duisburg. Son of Randal Brown Scott and Mary Catherine Scott, Dundrod. It is interesting to note that "Ballydonaghy, Crumlin, County Antrim, Northern Ireland" is engraved on his headstone. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany

1946

+McGUCKIN, Ernest

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd Btn. Fusilier. 6979734. Died 27/12/1946. Age 25. Born in Stewartstown on 21/10/ 1919. Son of the late Robert McGuckin, Low Cross, Tullyhogue, and Emily Morrison, Dennistoun, Glasgow, formerly of Stewartstown, Co. Tyrone. Prior to enlisting in the army on 08/09/1938, Ernest worked as a farm labourer. He died as a result of a road traffic accident while in service in post war Austria. Klagenfurt War Cemetery, Austria. Cookstown WM, Stewartstown WM, Stewartstown C of I RH

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Every day is a Remembrance Day

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The remembrance ni programme is overseen by Very Rev Dr Houston McKelvey OBE, QVRM, TD who served as Chaplain to 102 and 105 Regiments Royal Artillery (TA), as Hon. Chaplain to RNR and as Chaplain to the RBL NI area and the Burma Star Association NI. Dr McKelvey is a Past President of Queen’s University Services Club. He may be contacted at [email protected]

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