AMAS, Corporal Charles Lawrence (On Nelson Cenotaph as L.C. Amas)
Regimental Number: 442320
Military Unit: Canadian Infantry, Central Ontario Regiment, 54th Battalion
Date of Death: 30 September, 1918 (Cambrai)
Age at Death: 23
Place of Burial: Canada Cemetery (Tilloy-les-Cambrai), Nord, France
Medals:
Attestation: 14 May, 1915, Vernon Camp (witness, Lieut. H.C. Green)
Previous Military Experience:
Date and Place of Birth: 5 February, 1895; Vernon, BC
Occupation: Grocer
Residence: Nelson, BC
Next of Kin: Harry Amas and Maud Mary (Glover) Amas (Parents), Nelson, BC
Religion: Wesleyan
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
The Daily News, October 25, 1916:
Pte. Charles Lawrence Amas, 442220, is in hospital at Rouen, France, suffering form a gunshot wound in the chest, according to the official announcement received yesterday by his father, Harry Amas of Nelson. Pte. Amas was wounded in action and admitted to hospital Oct. 14. No further word has been received regarding the extent or seriousness of his injury. The wounded soldier enlisted in Nelson during the summer of last year and was attached to a western infantry battalion.
The Daily News, November 7, 1917:
Letter from Lieut. D.A. McQuarrie: “Lawrence Amas is back in A company and is looking better than he ever did.”
The Daily News, September 20, 1918:
In a letter from Pte. Laurence Amas received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Amas, he states that he has fully recovered from his recent operation and is back with his old battalion. Only three of the original members of his company are left with the battalion in France. Pte. Amas spoke highly of the treatment he received in the hospital in France. The nursing sisters and nurses did their utmost for him. He was the first Nelson boy to reach the particular hospital where he underwent the operation. The nurses were delighted to see him, especially Miss Fletcher and Miss Noble, both of Nelson. He said they were in good health. Pte. Amas said he expected to get Blighty leave soon and would visit in Scotland with some friends he had met.
The Daily News, October 18, 1918:
Mr. and Mrs. H. Amas have received a letter from their son, Corp. C.L. Amas, in which he says he saw Albert Sullivan, who was principal of the Nelson central school for a number of years. He also saw Tommy Madden and several other Nelson boys, all of whom were well. All wished to be remembered to their Nelson friends. Corp. Amas said that the YMCA had just received a shipment of Canadian goods and the boys were especially eager for the canned peaches, biscuits and cream. Incidentally he mentioned that the canned heat came in handy in the trenches for making hot drinks. Corp. Amas was an original 54th battalion man and has been in France over two years. He recently had leave in England and Scotland.
The Daily News, November 21, 1918:
Corp. Charles Lawrence Amas, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Amas, was killed in action on Sept. 30, according to an official report received by his parents yesterday. He was a member of the 54th battalion and it is believed he was killed at the same time as Capt. Donald McQuarrie and Capt. W.G. Foster, although it was not reported until yesterday, and it is thought the delay was caused by the military records office waiting for details as to whether he was killed, wounded or missing. Corp. Amas enlisted in May, 1915, and was wounded in November of 1916. He was born at Vernon, 23 years ago. Besides his father and mother, he is survived by a sister, Beatrice and two brothers, George and Percy. George Amas is agent for the British Columbia Telephone Co. at Rossland and Trail.
Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War. (Library and Archives Canada):
Killed in action. Killed during an advance which started near the Douai-Cambrai railroad. No detailed information available as to the actual circumstances.
ANDREWS, Private Harry (On Nelson Cenotaph as H. Andrews)
Regimental Number: 442931
Military Unit: Canadian Infantry, British Columbia Regiment, 7th Battalion
Date of Death: 25 July, 1916 (Ypres Salient)
Age at Death: 31
Place of Burial: Menin Gate (Ypres) Memorial, Belgium (no known grave)
Medals:
Attestation: 29 May, 1915, Vernon Camp (54th Battalion)
Previous Military Experience:
Date and Place of Birth: 29 April, 1885; Broadclyst, Exeter, Devonshire, England
Occupation: Deckhand
Residence: Nelson, BC
Next of Kin: Robert Andrews, Exeter, England; Mother, Emma A.
Religion: Church of England
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
Listed on the Broadclyst, Devonshire War Memorial as:
“Harry Andrews: Not yet confirmed but believed to be the younger brother of Private Reginald Andrews of the 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Son of Robert and Emma Andrews of Kerswell Cottage, Broadclyst…Died 9 May, 1917, age 34.” [1891 Census confirms that Harry and Reginald were brothers]
Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War. (Library and Archives Canada):
Killed in action, Ypres Salient.
APPLETON, Private Lancelot (On Nelson Cenotaph as L. Appleton)
Regimental Number: 442321
Military Unit: Canadian Infantry, Eastern Ontario Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Date of Death: 10 July, 1917 (Vimy Sector)
Age at Death: 24
Place of Burial: La Targette British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Medals:
Attestation: 6 May, 1915, Vernon Camp (54th Battalion)
Previous Military Experience:
Date and Place of Birth: 24 October, 1892; Ripon, Yorkshire, England
Occupation: Rancher
Residence: Castlegar, BC
Next of Kin: William Appleton (Father), Castlegar, BC, and Mary Appleton
(Mother), Scriven, Yorkshire, England
Religion: Wesleyan
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
The Daily News, May 13, 1915:
Enlisted with the 54th battalion at Nelson.
Immigration Records:
Immigrated to Canada 30 April, 1906 (age 15), Liverpool to Montreal with parents and brother; destination at that time—Regina.
2nd Battalion War Diary:
10 July/17—Brigade Reserve—Working parties as usual. In the early morning up to 3:00 a.m., an intermittent bombardment of this area was kept up by enemy artillery. One O.R. was killed. Considerable aerial activity.
W.W. Murray, The History of the 2nd Canadian Battalion (East Ontario Regiment) Canadian Expeditionary Force in the Great War 1914-1919—Nominal Roll:
Killed in action.
AUDY, Lieutenant Prosper John Theodore Long (On Nelson Cenotaph
as P.J. Audy)
Regimental Number:
Military Unit: 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (British Columbia Regiment)
Date of Death: 28 July, 1916 (Ypres Salient)
Age at Death: 42
Place of Burial: Poperingh New Military Cemetery, Belgium
Medals: Long Service Medal
Attestation: 18 June, 1915, Vernon Camp
Previous Military Experience: Served for 5 years with Cape Mld. Riflemen; for one year with the King’s Colonials; for 6 months with the Irish Fusiliers of Canada; served in South African campaign.
Date and Place of Birth: 16 July, 1874; London, England
Occupation: Estate agent
Residence: Vernon, BC; formerly Nelson
Next of Kin: John Prosper Theodore Audy [Master Tailor] & Fanny Audy (Parents), London, England
Religion: Church of England
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
The Daily News, November 26, 1915:
Went overseas with the 2nd contingent of the 54th battalion
Barry Shandrow, Legion of Frontiersmen in Canada: A Timeline 1904-1929, Part Two, 1908-1913, in Geoffrey A. Pocock, The Frontiersmen Historian, 2002-2009 http://www.frontiersmenhistorian.info/canadatimeline2.htm
1908 – According to a small 16 page British Columbia Command handbook published 1974, “The Frontiersmen were first organized in British Columbia in 1908 in the Nicola Valley”. And “The first Vancouver Squadron was formed in 1910”.
1911 – Okanagan Squadron formed about April 1911, headquartered at Vernon BC and led by Legion Captain J.P. Audy (killed in action WW1), note correct name is Prosper John Theodore Audy.
2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles War Diary:
28 July/16—Ramparts-Ypres—6 p.m.—Enemy shelled Ypres fairly heavily with H.E. and shrapnel. Lieut. P.J.T. Audy & one man killed and five wounded by explosion of a shell in Monastery.
The Daily News, August 24, 1916:
Lieut. Audy, formerly connected with the ship yards at Nelson, was killed by a high explosive shell while in reserve billets several weeks ago, according to word received in the city yesterday. Lieut. Audy joined the 54th Battalion at Vernon last summer and went overseas with the draft from that unit. Later he was transferred to a detachment of the army service corps, with which he was serving when killed.
BEER, Sapper Albert (On Nelson Cenotaph as A. Beer)
Regimental Number: 442936
Military Unit: Canadian Overseas Railway Construction Corps
Date of Death: 11 February, 1919 (Influenza)
Age at Death: 37
Place of Burial: Bramshott (St. Mary) Churchyard, Hampshire, England
Medals:
Attestation: 24 May, 1915, Vernon Camp (witness Captain F.T. Lucas) (54th Battalion)
Previous Military Experience:
Date and Place of Birth: 3 August, 1881; Stowting, Kent, England
Occupation: Locomotive Engineer
Residence: Nelson, BC
Next of Kin: Miss K. Beer, Leinster Square, London, England; Richard & Catherine
Beer (Parents), Folkestone, England
Religion: Church of England
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
Immigration Records:
Immigrated to Canada in 1906; Liverpool to Halifax and St. John, NB on the Pretorian
The Daily News, November 26, 1915:
Went overseas with the 2nd contingent of the 54th battalion.
Rootsweb.com [Posting by Michelle Purnell, February 21, 2001]:
Register of the names of those who fell in the Great war and are buried in Bramshott ( St. Mary) churchyard and in Grayshott (St. Joseph) Roman Catholic Churchyard Hampshire, England.
Register of the Graves, Bramshott (St. Mary) Churchyard:
BEER, Spr. Albert, 442936. Canadian Overseas Railway Construction
Corps. Died of pneumonia 11th Feb, 1919. Age 38. Son of Richard and
Catherine Beer, of 87, Black bull Rd., Folkestone, England.
BERE, Private Robert (On Nelson Cenotaph as R. Bere)
[Name is spelled BEER in 1881 and 1891 UK Census]
Regimental Number: 442939
Military Unit: 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (British Columbia Regiment)
Date of Death: 27 March, 1916 (Hooge—St. Eloi Craters)
Age at Death: 40
Place of Burial: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium
Medals:
Attestation: 10 June, 1915, Vernon Camp (54th Battalion)
Previous Military Experience:
Date and Place of Birth: 11 February, 1876; Devonport, Devonshire, England
Occupation: Labourer
Residence: Fruitvale, BC
Next of Kin: Eliza Ann Bere (Mother), West Hartlepool, England
Religion: Presbyterian
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
The Daily News, November 26, 1915:
Went overseas with the 2nd contingent of the 54th battalion
G. Chalmers Johnston, The 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (British Columbia Horse), in France and Flanders, From the Records of Lt. Col. G. Chalmers Johnston:
Pte. Robert Bere died of wounds at Hooge, March 27, 1916
BERNARD, Private Jacques (Jean) (On Nelson Cenotaph as J. Bernard)
Regimental Number: 442949
Military Unit: Canadian Infantry, Central Ontario Regiment, 54th Battalion
Date of Death: 26 December, 1916 (Camblain—L’Abbe)
Age at Death: 34
Place of Burial: Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Medals:
Attestation: 29 May, 1915, Vernon Camp
Previous Military Experience:
Date and Place of Birth: 15 April, 1882; Montreal, Quebec
Occupation: Lumberman
Residence: Appledale, BC
Next of Kin: Jean Baptiste Bernard & Angelique Simon (Parents), Annunciation,
Quebec
Religion: Roman Catholic
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
Also listed on the Silverton Memorial Hall dedicated “To the Boys of the Slocan Who Answered Canada’s Call, and Paid the Supreme Sacrifice.”
Enlisted in Nelson in the spring of 1915.
54th Bn Canadian Infantry, 1915-1919—Nominal Roll:
Killed in action.
Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War. (Library and Archives Canada):
Died of wounds at No. 9 Canadian Field Ambulance.
BLAND, Private Percival Charles (On Nelson Cenotaph as T.C. Bland)
Regimental Number: 442940
Military Unit: Canadian Infantry, Manitoba Regiment, “C” Company, 27th Battalion
Date of Death: 15 September, 1916 (Courcelette)
Age at Death: 27
Place of Burial: Courcelette British Cemetery, Somme, France
Medals:
Attestation: 31 May, 1915, Vernon Camp (54th Battalion)
Previous Military Experience:
Date and Place of Birth: 30 January, 1889; Birmingham, England
Occupation: Accountant
Residence: Nelson, BC
Next of Kin: Mrs. Margaret Bland (Mother), Birmingham, England
Religion: Church of England
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
The Daily News, June 12, 1915:
Enlisted with the 54th battalion at Nelson; Member of the Nelson YMCA.
The Daily News, November 26, 1915:
Went overseas with the 2nd contingent of the 54th battalion.
UK, De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, 1914-1924, Ancestry.com.
BLAND, PERCIVAL CHARLES, Private, No. 442940, 27th Battn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, elder s. of the late Charles Bland, by his wife, Margaret Harman (79, Ryland Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham), dau. of the late Edward Skinner, of Edgbaston, Birmingham; and brother to Gunner A.E. Bland; b. Birmingham, co. Warwick, 30 Jan. 1889; educ. St. George’s School, Edgbaston, Birmingham; went to Canada in 1913, and settled in Nelson, British Columbia, as an Accountant on the Staff of the Hudson Bay Company; volunteered for foreign service and joined the Canadian Infantry 2 June, 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from April, 1916; was reported missing after fighting on the Somme 15 Sept. following, and is now assumed to have been killed in action on that date. His Commanding Officer wrote: “He was loved by all the officers of his platoon, and all men thought so much of him throughout his regiment.”
27th Battalion War Diary:
Report on the operation by 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion on the morning of September 15, 1916—At 6:20 a.m. the artillery barrage opened, 50 yards in advance of German trench and the first wave commenced crawling over. As the barrage lifted the Bttn. advanced onto the first German line and were met with heavy rifle and machine gun fire. As soon as our men reached the trench, the Germans threw up their hands and surrendered. At least 70 dead Germans were counted in this trench. The Battn. followed up the barrage closely and met very little opposition at Sunken Road, Germans surrendering in large numbers. By this time the first wave was nearly wiped out and the second wave took its place. A Company then swung to the left and captured its last objective with one Corpl. and 15 O.R. C and D Companies reached their objectives and immediately commenced to dig in….Enemy attempted to advance up Sunken Road but were driven off by our Lewis Gun fire….The
enemy artillery fire was very intense for 48 hours on our front line….Runners were employed continuously and although 75 per cent became casualties, a good number of messages were got through. Visual signalling was attempted with flags and flappers but this drew the enemy’s fire and could not be carried on. During the first 24 hours, owing to the intense barrage it was only possible to get through limited supplies. Coys and Sections were instructed to collect water, ammunition, bombs and rations from the dead. Our stretcher bearers worked unceasingly carrying out the wounded….Our Bttn. evacuated the trenches at 2 a.m., 17th September, 1916 and proceeded to Brigade Reserve. Our casualties amounted to: Killed 5 officer, 67 O.R.; wounded 7 officers, 243 O.R.; missing 1 officer, 71 O.R.; Total all ranks 394.
The Daily News, June 7, 1917:
Pte. P.C. Bland, former accountant at the Hudson’s Bay Company’s local store, who left here with the 54th battalion, is reported in the casualty lists as missing and is thought to have died of wounds. He was a member of St. Saviour’s church choir and his name is inscribed on the honor roll unveiled at the church last Sunday. He has been missing since last fall. He was unmarried. Pte. Bland was given a handsome present by the firm and the staff of employees.
BROUGHTON, Private Albert (On Nelson Cenotaph as A. Broughton)
Regimental Number: 442337
Military Unit: Canadian Infantry, Central Ontario Regiment, 54th Battalion
Date of Death: 1 October, 1918 (Bourlon Wood/Cambrai)
Age at Death: 36
Place of Burial: Duisans British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Medals:
Attestation: 8 May, 1915, Vernon Camp (witness A.D. Oliver)
Previous Military Experience:
Date and Place of Birth: 29 March, 1882; West Hartlepool, England
Occupation: Miner
Residence: Silverton, BC
Next of Kin: Joseph W. Broughton (Father), Exeter, Devon, England
Religion: Presbyterian
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
Also listed on the Silverton Memorial Hall dedicated “To the Boys of the Slocan Who Answered Canada’s Call, and Paid the Supreme Sacrifice.”
The Daily News, May 13, 1915:
Enlisted with the 54th battalion at Nelson.
Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War. (Library and Archives Canada):
This soldier was severely wounded in the abdomen by enemy shrapnel while with his Battalion in the assembly position South of Sancourt, on the morning of September 30th 1918, just a few minutes prior to an attack. He was speedily removed to the dressing station, and evacuated to No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station, where he succumbed to his wounds the following day.
BURROWS, Lance Corporal Michael (On Nelson Cenotaph as
M. Burrows)
Regimental Number: 442342
Military Unit: Canadian Machine Gun Corps, 7th Battalion
Date of Death: 9 April, 1917 (Vimy Ridge)
Age at Death: 35
Place of Burial: La Chaudiere Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Medals:
Attestation: 10 May, 1915, Vernon Camp (witness W. Swannell) (54th Battalion)
Previous Military Experience: Served with the 2nd V.B. Gloucester Regiment
Date and Place of Birth: 31 May, 1881; St. John’s, Nfld.
Occupation: Miner
Residence: Nelson area
Next of Kin: Mrs. Helen Scott, c/o P.J. Sheran, 918 Baker St., Nelson
Religion: Church of England
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
The Daily News, April 30, 1917:
Corp. Michael Burrows, 442342, formerly of Nelson, was killed in action April 9, according to an official communication received by P.J. Sheran. Corp. Burrows enlisted at Nelson with a Kootenay-Boundary battalion during the summer of 1915 and went overseas under the command of Major Gilbert Anderson. He was transferred to an overseas draft shortly after his arrival in England. He served with the 2nd V.B. Gloucester regiment. His next of kin is given as Mrs. Helen Scott of Nelson. For ten years prior to enlisting, Corp. Burrows had been well known in the mining and logging camps throughout the district. He received promotion at the front.
Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War. (Library and Archives Canada):
Killed by enemy machine gun fire, during the attack at Vimy Ridge.
BUTLER, Private Alfred Charles (On Nelson Cenotaph as A.C. Butler)
Regimental Number: 442346
Military Unit: Canadian Infantry, British Columbia Regiment, 7th Battalion
Date of Death: 3 June, 1916 (Mount Sorrel)
Age at Death: 37
Place of Burial: Menin Gate (Ypres) Memorial, Belgium (no known grave)
Medals:
Attestation: 19 May, 1915, Vernon Camp (witness W. Swannell) (54th Battalion)
Previous Military Experience:
Date and Place of Birth: 18 March, 1879; Merton, Surrey, England
Occupation: Jute Manufacturer
Residence: Nelson, BC (212 Latimer St.)
Next of Kin: Mrs. A.C. Butler (Wife), Nelson, BC
Religion: Church of England
Marital Status: Married
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
Enlisted in Nelson with the 54th Battalion in the spring of 1915.
7th Battalion War Diary:
3 June/16—During morning 2 companies make counter attack, successful but suffered severely in casualties. Intense bombardment all night and during this day. Bn consolidated positions gained. Beautiful weather. Battalion relieved at night during which enemy attacked on our front and repulsed.
Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War. (Library and Archives Canada):
Killed in action, vicinity of Maple Copse.
Photo from 54th Bn Canadian Infantry 1915-1919
CAMPBELL, Lance Corporal Allan (On Nelson Cenotaph as A. Campbell)
Regimental Number: 442950
Military Unit: Canadian Infantry, British Columbia Regiment, 72nd Battalion
Date of Death: 29 March, 1918 (Moreuil Wood)
Age at Death: 33
Place of Burial: Anzin-St. Aubin British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Medals:
Attestation: 3 May, 1915, Vernon Camp (witness Captain G. Anderson) (54th Battalion)
Previous Military Experience:
Date and Place of Birth: 12 July, 1884; Stornoway, Scotland
Occupation: Stone Cutter
Residence: Rossland
Next of Kin: William & Mary Campbell (Parents), Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Religion: Presbyterian
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
Also listed on the Lewis War Memorial, Isle of Lewis, Scotland.
Military Records:
First admitted to hospital (Etaples) 2 April/17; Posted to 72nd Bn 13 October/17; Died of wounds 29 March/18.
72nd Battalion War Diary:
29/30 March/18—In the Trenches—Orders were received at noon to move at 1:30 p.m. to Flanders Camp Ecurie, on arrival there dinner was served and at 7 p.m. the Battn moved forward and relieved the 8th Bn Middlesex Regt, 167th Bde 56th Division in the front line of the right sub-sector of the Moreuil Sector. The relief was complete at 3:30 a.m. on the 30th….During the relief our casualties were thirteen, three killed and ten wounded.
CAMPBELL, Private Malcolm (On Nelson Cenotaph as M. Campbell)
Regimental Number: 442952
Military Unit: Canadian Infantry, British Columbia Regiment, 7th Battalion
Date of Death: 26 April, 1917 (Arras—Arleux-en-Gohelle)
Age at Death: 32
Place of Burial: Bois-Carre British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France
Medals:
Attestation: 16 May, 1915, Vernon Camp (witness Captain G. Anderson) (54th Battalion)
Previous Military Experience: Served in the Cameron Highlanders, 2nd Bn – 7 years
Date and Place of Birth: 10 July, 1884; Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Occupation: Labourer
Residence: Ymir area (1911 Census)
Next of Kin: Mrs. N. Campbell, Stornoway, Scotland
Religion: Presbyterian
Marital Status: Single
Newspaper items; Letters; Other information:
Also listed on the War Memorial at Lewis, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Canadian Letters and Images Project: World War I:
Malcolm Campbell was born in Scotland in 1884, emigrated to Canada, and enlisted in Vernon, British Columbia with the 54th O.S. Kootenay Battalion.
The Daily News, June 28, 1915:
Assigned to Regimental Police.
The Daily News, November 26, 1915:
Went overseas with the 2nd contingent of the 54th battalion.
Thomas Venables Scudamore, A Short History of the 7th Battalion, C.E.F.—Nominal Roll:
Reported killed in action.
Photo from Faces from the Lewis War Memorial