Canada's Fallen October 16 to October 23, 1914

Canadian soldiers marching through Amesbury, Wiltshire in 1914. Photo by T.L. Fuller

I find it somewhat inspiring to think of the young men, filled with anticipation and a sense of adventure, many returning to Britain as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force arriving on Salisbury Plain.  It is hard to imagine 30,000 men arriving all at once.  Canadians at this point are yet to be tested in the field.  The first Canadian to die on the other side of the Atlantic was Private William Herbert Vaughan Hartley, who died by accident.

October 19, 1914

Sapper John Allan who was part of Canada Permanent Force, died at Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 19, 1914.  The only known memorial is page one of the First World War Book of Remembrance.

Capt. A. Campbell

Captain Alexander Campbell was the son of the late William James and Sarah Jane Campbell, of Ottawa, Ontario.  He was husband of Ellen Margaret Campbell, also of Ottawa.  He is buried in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, Ontario.

Private William Herbert Vaughan Hartley was from Blackburn, Lancashire, England.  He was also husband of Ellen Hartley, of Montreal. It was reported in the Huntingdon Gleaner October 22, 1914

"On Sunday morning, on the road between Salisbury and the plain where the Canadian contingent is encamped, the body of a soldier was found.. It was lying face downward, the mouth close to the grass. The body was that of Private Wm. H. V. Hartley, C Company, 34 years old, of the First Royal Montreal Regiment. He had got leave on Saturday and went to town where he spent the evening. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death. The burial took place on Tuesday in the village church-yard at Shrewton, with full military honors. He was an Englishman and came to Canada 2 years ago. After a few months stay in Toronto, settled in Valleyfield. He obtained employment in Valleyfield with the Montreal Cottons. Since his enlistment, Mrs Hartley has been without support and has received aid from the municipality and from individuals. Her five children are all under seven years of age, and apart from her husband's sister she has no relatives in Canada"

Although there was considerable, his death is recorded as "death by asphyxiation."  He was buried with full military honours at St. Mary Churchyard Extension, Maddington, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.

October 20, 1914

Colour Sergeant E.J. Lock was 27 at the time of his death.  He had prior military experience with the Royal Marines and is buried in Greenback Cemetery Bristol, England.

October 21, 1914

Gunner Percy Sawyer was killed by being kicked by a horse, and was treated by Maj. John McRea, famous for writing In Flanders Fields 18 months later.   The cororner's inquest ruled the death accidental.  Gunner Sawyer is buried in St. Thomas A Becket Churchyard, Tilshead, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.

A version of the story, including a picture of the grave, and much more information about Canadians on Salisbury Plain may be found at the Toronto Star from April 20, 2014.

October 22, 1914

Gunner John H. Lunn died on October 22, 1914, and is buried in Fort Massey Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia.