Canada's Fallen from August 16 to August 31, 1914

Image from thegreatgar

I find the fallen from these weeks of August to be quite moving in the tragedy and misfortune of their deaths.  The first Canadian to die on active service, and a volunteer of only 15 years old, was shot by a fellow soldier while on guard duty; a young man on his way to Camp Valcartier for training fekk under the wheels of a train by accident; and a volunteer who was training to go to France was reported a suicide.

August 21, 1914

Quartermaster Frederick W Hussey.  Commemorated in Halifax (Mount Olivet) Cemetery

The Canadian Virtual War Memorial

August 22, 1914

Private Frank F Johnson, commemorated at  Stratford (Avondale), Ontario Cemetery.  Private Johnson died in an accident at the train station in Toronto where he was embarking to Valcartier for training.

The Beacon Herald

August 27, 1914

Private Gordon William Betts, 15 years old, volunteered on the outbreak of war in August 1914, and joined his father's regiment, and was accidentally shot August 27, 1914 while on guard duty at Soulanges Canal - the first Canadian to lose his life on active service in the European War. The story of his death was reported across Canada, and may be read in the online version of theS September 5, 1914 issue of British Columbia's The Phoenix Pioneer.  He was buried at Montreal (Mount Royal) Cemetery.

The First From Canada

August 28, 1914

Sapper George B A Eachus enlisted in Calgary, Alberta.  It was reported on August 29, 1914 that Private Eachus committed suicide at Valcartier Camp on August 28, 1914.  It says, "he was found in the field hospital with his throat cut, having used his own razor.  His comrades said that while on the way to Valcartier he appeared to be dejected. (The Edmonton Bulletin, August 29, 1914 (Morning Edition), Page 5).  His grave may be found in Canadian Forces Base Valcartier Military Cemetery.

University of Alberta Library