Depicted: Officers of the Brockville Rifles – October 1935 SEATED—(Left to right)-Captain H. A. Taylor, Major R. F. Craig, V.D., Major H. R. Starr, Major N. L. MacDowell, Col. R. J. Gill, M.C., V.D., Hon. Col. Right Hon. Geo. P. Graham, P.C., LL.D., Lt.-Col. J. R. McCullough, V.D., Lt.-Col. M. W. MacDowell, M.C., Lt.-Col. F. C. Curry, V.D., Major W. H. Comstock, Major D. E. Lewis, Captain C. A. Beattie, Lieut. D. H. Mallory. STANDING-(Left to Right) —Captain R. H. Sheridan, Lieut. J. J. Keir, Lieut. L. E. Fox, Lieut. A. W. Sheridan, Lieut. H. W. Pearson, Lieut. H. S. White, Lieut. A. W. Davison, Captain T. R. Gray, Captain W. S. Cole, Captain G. R. Johnston, Lieut. J. P. McNaughton, Lieut. A. M. Patterson, Lieut. A. I. Munro, Lieut. J. A. Lord, Lieut. H. P. Smith. AT TOP-(Left to right) —Lieut. G. A. Beale, Lieut. G. T. Fulford, Lt.-Col. C. T. Wilkinson, Lt. Col. W. S. Buell, C.B.E., V.D., Captain D. B. Code, Captain J. G. Sparling, M.M., Lieut. R. E. Smart.
Lt George Albert Beale came to Brockville in 1935 to work in D.E. Lewis’ law firm. During the Second World War Lt. Beale trained officers at the Officer Training Camp located in Brockville. While training officers he earned the rank of Major. Following the War he remained with the Army Reserve as a member of the Brockville Rifles.
In 1945 he became the Master of Salem Lodge of the Brockville Masons.
In 1948 he partnered with D.E. Lewis and Eleanor Christy and incorporated a business called Rollit Sales Limited. This small company manufactured ball-point pens and expanded to employ over a dozen people within the community. Later the company was renamed to Rollit Products Limited
Submitted by: WO TL Beale, CD1 (Ret’d) 2 Oct 1979 – 15 Mar 2011
In January of 1998 a severe storm of freezing rain struck Ontario and Quebec. In areas 2 inches (50mm) of ice accumulated on power lines and trees. Power lines failed and power was lost to about 2 million people. Business were shut down and people were stranded in their homes.
The Brockville Rifles deployed on OP Recuperation with the Canadian Armed Forces. The Brockville Armoury became the headquarters for the main effort in the area.
On the 20th Anniversary of the event the Brockville Recorder and Times Collected stories from the people of the area, including one from Cpl Lloyd Baker, CD.
“I am a member of The Brockville Rifles and that morning I was due to go in as we were doing equipment checks so I was up early. Looked out the window and realized there was no way I was going down in that mess so took my time getting ready for the day. Received a call from the Armoury asking if I wanted to assist since I had vehicle qualifications; this was before we were officially asked to assist by Ottawa.
As more Units showed up the Brocks lived in the Large Classroom, Medics were in the Small Classroom and everyone else was on the Main Floor and others were scattered about as well.
One of the guys picked me up and drove me down and quickly got orders to assist delivering food prepared at TISS to the various senior facilities around town due to the capabilities of our vehicles. I got a chuckle when we delivered food to one facility and was chastised that we didn’t have coffee, but that was Day #1 and all we had was food and water; later on there was coffee. We did food delivery over the first couple of days then started driving around with water and other small items all around the area and just making sure residents were all right and took notes of any issues and reported back so these matters could be taken care of. The vehicles had to be packed inside as it was the only safe place to store them.
Teams went out and drove every road in Leeds & Grenville and visited every household. They took notes on everything along with conditions of power poles, flooding and handed out water and small snacks. All information was reported back at the end of the day.
The Armoury has a gas hot water boiler but there was no electricity soldiers were able to take hot showers but by flashlights or glow sticks.
A number of weeks following the operation, a farmer showed up saying he was loaned a Military Generator and wondered if he could drop it off at the Armoury. The farmer picked up a few others generators and when he returned them to the Armoury there were 6 or 7 green military 2kW Generators.
We were constantly busy delivering food, assisting local agencies and pitching in where we could and lived in the Armoury for the duration, and as more military units arrived they either stayed in Brockville or were sent out to other towns to help.
By the end of it all we were thanked constantly wherever we went; a great sense of accomplishment.”
Cpl Lloyd Baker, CD
The Brockville Rifles (2)(3)
The Armoury in Brockville was used during OP Recuperation as a place to stay. At its height, almost 200 people were sleeping here. (1)
Quote from Joe Jordan, MP for Leeds-Grenville, Ontario
“Mr. Speaker, as a representative of one of the areas hit hard by the recent ice storm, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the outstanding efforts of emergency services personnel, the firefighters who in Leeds—Grenville are largely volunteer, police, hospital staff, the Brockville Rifles, the local coast guard, municipal personnel and politicians, service clubs, local church congregations, CFJR radio station, local businesses, industries and government agencies, as well as countless volunteers and their families throughout Leeds—Grenville.
Although it is true we went without electricity, we were not however without power, the power of generosity, kindness, compassion, honesty, courage and community spirit. In Leeds—Grenville people pulled together to minimize the tragedies associated with this disaster.
If I seem to be holding my head a little higher it is because I have the tremendous honour of representing these people and their values in the 36th Parliament of Canada.”
EXTRACTS FROM “THE RECORDER AND TIMES, MONDAY, APRIL 26, 1920″ – BROCKVILLE, ONT.
THE 156TH BATTALION, C. E. F.
Page 10 - Columns 3, 4, 5.
The officers who accompanied the battalion were:
Lt – Col. T. C. D. Bedell, O. C. ;
Major H. H. Edwards,
Major G. W. Elliott,
Major R. J. Gill,
Major C.T. Wilkinson,
Hon. Capt. A. H. Allen,
Captain C. A. Donaldson,
Captain C.R. Donovan,
Captain R. C. Gaisford,
Captain J. H. Graham,
Hon. Capt. A. E. Hagar,
Capt. W. N. Graham,
Capt. E. J. Kyle,
Capt. E.M. McBrayne,
Hon. Capt. P. B. Whiteley;
Lieutenant D. M. Bissell,
Lieutenant W.R. Carnwith,
Lieutenant W. J. Chapman,
Lieutenant T. S. Heaslip,
Lieutenant A.S. Herron,
Lieutenant W.H. Mackey,
Lieutenant R. G. Masson,
Lieutenant J. R. McCullough,
Lieutenant C. R. McHenry,
Lieutenant L. R. McKenna,
Lieutenant L. J. Scott,
Lieutenant B.S. Stayner, and
Lieutenant G.D. Woodcock.
The Steamship Northland arrived at Liverpool on October 28, 1916, and at once proceeded to Witley camp. After two days, orders were received to send drafts to different other units, the junior officers being included in the order. This proved a great disappointment to the officers and men of the unit, who had counted on the battalion remaining intact.
In January, 1917, on the formation of the Fifth Division, the original officers and men were returned to the battalion and a draft from the 154th Dundas, Stormont and Glengarry Battalion was absorbed to complete the establishment. Lieutenant-Colonel C. D. Bedell, a physician, was transferred to the Canadian Army Medical Corps, and the command of the unit was assumed by Lieutenant-Colonel C. M.R. Graham, of London, Ont., who afterwards went to the l8th Battalion as a major and won the D.S.O. Major A. Johnson, late of the Royal Canadian Regiment, was made second in command. He later was transferred to the 38th Battalion and was killed at Cambrai.
In May, l917, owing to heavy losses, it was found necessary to send reinforcements to the front from the Fifth Division and a draft of 500 men was selected from the 156th to go to the 2nd, 38th, 21st Battalions and the P. P. C.L.I. The Battalion was again reinforced from the 207th and 204th Battalions, which had arrived from Canada. In spite of the drain upon its strength, the battalion hoped to go to the front as a unit and the whole summer of 1917 was spent in extensive training in open warfare and all ranks were kept up to a high standard of efficiency. In December, 1917, due to further heavy battle casualties, additional reinforcements were required from the Fifth Division. The 156th was again called upon to furnish a draft and sent 150 men to the P.P.C.L. I. The unit was never again brought up to strength.
Conscription was brought into force in Canada and it was still hoped that the Division would be reinforced sufficiently to its original strength. The threatening German offensive in the spring of 1918, however, made the drawing of all possible strength from the British Isle necessary and the division was disintegrated, owing largely to the splendid qualifications of both officers and men for the open warfare operations which were anticipated. The remaining officers and men went as drafts to Eastern Ontario units in the field in March 1918.
Of the officers of the battalion who accompanied it overseas, Lieutenant Colonel Bedell became officer in command of the Cooden Park Convalescent Hospital Bexhill- on-Sea. Major Edwards went to the 21st Battalion and died at the front. Major Elliott was returned to Canada on account of being over the age limit. Major Gill went to the 21st Battalion and won the Military Cross. Major Wilkinson returned to Canada in l9l7, as did also Captain Donaldson, Captain Kyle and Captain Whiteley. Captain Allen was transferred to the Salvage Depot in England. Captain Donovan the medical officer, went to No.3 Field Ambulance in France. Captain Gaisford was transferred to the 38th Battalion in 1917, won the Military Cross and was twice wounded Captain J.R. Graham was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an observer and was injured at Cambrai. Captain W. N. Graham was transferred to the 31st Battalion, won the Military Cross, and died of wounds received in a trench raid. Capt the Rev. Mr. Hagar, remained with the battalion as chaplain until its final disintegration when he was transferred to the Chaplain services. Capt. McBrayne was transferred to the P. P.C.L.I. in 1918, where he served most gallantly. He was acting officer in command of this celebrated battalion during the Cambrai advance after the death of Lt.-Col. Stewart and was himself wounded. Captain McBrayne was awarded the Military Cross and was twice recommended for the D.S.O. Lieut. Bissell went to the 38th in the spring of l9l8 and was through Amiens and Arras. In the latter battle he distinguished himself and was the only officer of his company remaining in action. Lieut. Carnwith went to the 2nd Battalion in 1918, was wounded and was awarded the Military Cross. Lieut. Chapman, who was also transferred to the 2nd Battalion, won the Military Cross and died of wounds. Lieut. Heaslip was through Amiens, Cambrai and Valenciennes with the P.P.C.L.I. and was never wounded. He was twice recommended for the Military Cross. Lieut. Herron, who was recommended for the Military Cross, was killed while with the 2nd Battalion, while Lieut. Mackey, also with the 2nd died of wounds. Lieut. Masson was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was shot down and killed. Lieut. McCullough was wounded while with the 2nd Battalion. Lieut McHenry served with the Railway Troops in France, and Lieut. McKenna went to the Royal Flying Corps in l917, taking part in the defence of London. Lieut. Scott, an Athens boy, was killed in action while with the 39th Battalion. Lieut. Stayner, who became bombing officer of the 38th, was wounded at the breaking of the Drocourt Queant line. Capt. Woodcock was With the 2lst through 1918.
Of officers of the battalion who left Canada prior to the departure of the battalion proper, Lieut. P. J. Brown, served with the 2nd Battalion at the front; Lieut. G. M. Dingle with the 14th Canadian Mounted Rifles, being wounded; Lieut. H. Rae Kincaid, with the Royal Flying Corps, where he was wounded and where he won the Military Cross. Lieut. W.W. Pitt, R.F.C. killed, and Lieut. H. A. Coon, R.F.C., wounded.
Rankers of the battalion who won commissions included: Lieut. R. E. Rapple, 2nd Battalion, wounded; Lieut. A. McKinney, 2nd Battalion, wounded; Lieut. J. B. Cato, Royal Air Force; Lieut. L.N. Bissell, Royal Air Force, accidentally killed; Lieut. W. F. Ferguson, 38th Battalion, killed in action, and Capt. W. S. McAlpine, of Delta, who went to France as a sapper in a railway battalion and later was attached to the Chaplain services.
Nearly all the non-commissioned officers served at the front, many reverting to the rank of private to get there. Battalion Sergeant-Major A.N. Clark won the Military Medal while serving with the 21st, and Sergt.-Major Callaghan was killed at Cambrai while carrying Capt. McBrayne, who had been wounded, to safety.
Decorations won by members of the battalion included the following: Military Cross – Capt. R. C. Gaisford, Capt. E.M. McBrayne, Lieut. W. R. Carnwith, Lieut. W. J. Chapman, Captains R. J. Gill, W. N. Graham, Lieut. H. R. Kincaid.
Distinguished Conduct Medal – Pte. Mike Maloney.
Military Medal – Sapper W. P. Eamer, Pte. D. H. Holbrook, Sergt. F. E. McLellan, Pte. A. B. Saunders, Pte. G.R. Barnes, Pte. John Moran, Sergt. R. J. Patterson, Pte. H.E. Smith, Corporal David Doge, Pte. C. H. W. Gaw, Pte. N. B. Laplante, Pte. James Lawson, Pte. John A. Wilson, Pte. Ford M. King, Corporal J. H. Bennett, Lance-Corporal J. H. Pope, Pte. George W. Long, Pte. Wilfred Hourigan, Corporal A. Angus, Sergt. H. E. Boyd, Sergt G.I. Brewster, Lance Corporal A. A. McGrory, Corporal D.W. Smith, Sergt. A. N. Clark.
Mentioned in dispatches – Pte. Frank J. Nichols.
Those members of the battalion who gave up their lives on active service were the following:
Killed:
Lieut. L. N. Bissell (accident ally)
Lieut. W. F. Ferguson
Lieut. A.S. Herron.
Flight Sub-Lt. W. W. Pitt (accidentally)
Lieut. L. J. Scott.
6397l7 Pte. W. Armstrong (previously wounded)
639567 Pte. P.T. Baker.
639788 Pte. Robert Barley.
6397lO Pte. L. Bell.
639758 Pte. Edward Bellamy.
835O90 Pte. Fred Board.
640232 Pte. William Boswell.
640121 Pte. W.G. Botsford.
639891 Pte. W. Burke
6397Ol Pte. Fulton T. Burns.
639411 Pte. N. E. Bush.
639436 Pte. K. H. Cain,
639114 Pte. H. M. Callaghan.
639810 Pte. William Carl.
639917 Pte. H. J. Carson.
639995 Pte. Basil Connerty.
639639 Pte. H. Coughlane
63931O Corp. C. Crawford (previously wounded).
63999 Pte. Everett Cross.
639133 Pte. L. C. Devine.
3309 Pte. J. A. Dillane
639923 Pte. Thomas Elliott.
639771 Pte. W. E. Empey.
63929 Pte. Harvey C. Ewart.
639438 Pte. M. J. Flynn (previously wounded).
639267 Pte. Benjamin Green
640238 Pte. J. Grundy
639624 Pte. N. Henderson
640016 Pte. M. Hodge
639775 Pte. J. Humphrey
639980 Pte. C. A. Hurlburt
639673 Pte. J. Hynde
639960 Pte. George Ingram
640234 Pte F.A. Irwin
639597 Pte. J. A. Jeffrey
639393 Pte L.W. Judge
639760 Pte. G. Kelsey
640225 Sergt. J. E. King
639939 Pte. R.T. Kingston (previously wounded)
639697 Pte. J. Laidlaw
639933 Pte. N. B. Laplante, M. M.
639632 Pte. G. E. Lisqum (previously wounded)
639738 Pte. Harold C. McKay
640031 Pte. A. J. McCrimmon
639535 Pte. R. L. McGihon
639350 Pte James McGuire
639860 Pte. A. McLean
639236 Pte. E. E. McNulty
639588 Pte. J.R. McWilliams
639570 Pte. G. W. Mallory
640112 Pte. John Moran
639188 Pte. G. C. O’Shea
639240 Pte. E.H. Patterson
639467 Pte. George Patterson
640000 Pte. W.N. Robinson
639117 Pte. Fred Salter
639295 Pte. Gordon Sheppard
739329 Pte. W. H. Smith
639919 Pte. J. A. Stewart (previously wounded)
639185 Pte. William Stratton
639417 Lance-Corp. C. Watts
639198 Corp. J.H. Webber
639847 Pte. Walter Welch
639219 Pte. A.G. Wilkinson
639664 Pte. H. G. Young
Died of Wounds:
Capt. W. N. Graham 6.007).
Lieut. W. J. Chapman
Lieut. W. H. Mackey
639343 J.E. Anderson
639859 T. A. Arcand
639315 G. R. Barnes, M.M.
639626 Pte. F.G. Barton
639ll0 Pte. W. M. Bertrand
640216 Pte H.H. Caloren
6392Ol Pte. M. L. Carlin
639898 Pte. J. Clinton
639272 Pte. W. J. Cole
639563 Pte. F. F. Cook
639302 Pte. Daniel Doull
639424 Pte. E. J. Eastwood
639824 Pte. J. W. Edgers
639230 Pte. B. Falconer
639461 Pte. R. H. Hess
640186 Pte. H. C. McFadden
640074 Pte. G. H. Mains
639420 Pte. H. N. Maxwell
639598 Pte. C.D. O’Leary
640029 Pte. J. W. Rathwell
639409 Pte. A. L. Scott
639225 Pte. John Sefton
639489 Pte. W. Turland
Died:
Major H.H. Edwards
Lieut R. G. Masson
639944 Pte. W. F. Amond
639755 Pte. Wilfrid Baker
640033 Pte. Jacob Doyle
640061 Pte. W.R. Ferris
639699 Pte. H. Glazier
63918. Driver J. H. Towsley
639816 Pte. L. D. Woods.
Transcribed from The Regimental Museum's Archives.
32nd LOCATING BATTERY (BROCKVILLE RIFLES) Royal Canadian Artillery
Perpetuates the 32nd Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, Canadian Expeditionary Force, l914-1919
Headquarters – Brockville, Ont.
Early History and Organization.
The Battery was organized on 14 Nov 1855 as the “Company of Volunteer Militia Foot Artillery of Kingston”. Its successive redesignations include: “The Volunteer Militia Field Battery of Kingston”, 29 May 1856; “Kingston Field Battery of Artillery”, prior to 12 Jan 1866; “5th Kingston Field Battery”, 28 Dec 1895; “32nd (Kingston) Battery”, 2 Feb 1920; “32nd (Kingston) Field Battery”, l Jul l925; “3rd/32nd (Reserve) Field Battery”, 24 Jun 1942; “32nd (Reserve) Anti-Aircraft Battery”, 15 May 1943; “32nd Anti-Tank Battery (Self-Propelled)”, l Apr 1946. In the reorganization of the Canadian Army – (Militia) in l954, the Battery was amalgamated with — the “60th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Brockville Rifles)” (organized on 5 Oct 1866), and adopted its present Organization and designation on 1 Sep 1954.
First World War, 1914-1919.
The 32nd Battery, C.F.A., Canadian Expeditionary Force, was mobilized at Kingston, Ont., on 5 Aug 1915 and arrived in the United Kingdom on 14. Feb 1916. The Battery served in France With the 9th Brigade, C.F.A., 3rd Canadian Division, from 15 Jul 1916 to 1 Jul 1917, and with the 8th Army Brigade C.F.A., from 5 Jul 1917 to the Armistice on 11 Nov 1918. In the next year the Battery returned to Canada, where it was disbanded on 7 Apr 1919. On l Oct 1927, authority was granted for the perpetuation of this Battery by the 32nd (Kingston) Field Battery of the Non-Permanent Active Militia.
Second World War, 1939-1945.
The Battery Was mobilized at Kingston on 24 May 1940 as the 32nd/34th Field Battery of the 14th Field Regiment. On 1 Jan 1941 the Battery was converted and redesignated 32nd (Kingston) Light Anti-Aircraft Battery and allotted to the 4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. It embarked for the United Kingdom on 23 Aug 1941. On 6 Jun 1944, the Battery landed in Normandy with the assault waves of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. Joined by the remainder of the 4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment on 13 Jun 1944, it served in France until 30 Sep 1944, in Belgium until 11 Nov 1944, in Holland until 19 Feb 1945 and in Germany until 3 April 1945. It returned to the Netherlands until 26 Apr 1945 and to Germany again on 27 Apr 1945. VE Day found the battery at Aurich, Germany. The active service battery was disbanded in Holland on 13 Nov 1945.
Historical Section, (G.S.), Army Headquarters, Ottawa.
In February 1918 the 156th were stationed at a training depot in Seaford England. It is here they received the news that they were being disbanded in order to provide reinforcements to several other regiments along the Western Front.
A photo from 1914 of Brockville’s first volunteers marching West along King St on their way to the railway station to serve in the First World War.
Une photo de 1914 des premiers volontaires de Brockville marchants en direction ouest sur la rue King vers la gare de train, s’apprêtant de quitter pour la Première guerre mondiale.
WO1 Alonzo Nathan Clark, MM, RSM of the 41st Regiment Brockville Rifles 1905-1915, 156th CEF Bn 1915-1918 and The Brockville Rifles 1920-1929 stands outside of the Brockville Armouries. At the time of his enlistment he had served 1 year with the Governor General’s Foot Guards and 17 years with the 41st Regiment, Brockville Rifles.
He enlisted in the 156th Bn on February 1st, 1916 at 40 years of age at the rank of Sergeant. voluntarily taking a reduction in rank. He was gazetted on July 3rd 1919, as a recipient of the Military Medal (MM) as a member of the 21st Bn CEF.
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Throwback jeudi!
WO1 Alonzo Nathan Clark, MM, Le SMR du 41st Regiment Brockville Rifles 1905-1915, le 156e Bn CEC 1915-1918, et The Brockville Rifles 1920-1929 en avant du manège militaire de Brockville. Lors de son attestation il avait servit 1 an avec les Governor General’s Foot Guards et 17 ans avec le 41st Regiment, Brockville Rifles.
Il s’est enrollé le 1er février, 1916 à l’age de 40 ans prennant volontairement une réduction de grade comme sergeant. La gazette du 3 juillet, 1919, le nomme comme récipient de la Médaille militaire (MM) comme membre du 21e Bn CEC.
Pte John Essley Anderson, Regimental Number 639343, joined the 156th CEF (Leeds and Grenville) Bn in Brockville and was subsequently transfered to the PPCLI. He died November 8th, 1918, three days prior to the Armistice.
As the saying goes – Once a Brock, always a Brock!
Correction à la mise à jour de hier: le soldat John Essley Anderson, numéro régimentiare 639343 a attesté au 156e Bn (Leeds et Grenville) Brockville et fut ensuite affecté au PPCLI. Il est mort le 8 novembre 1918, seulement trois jours avant l’Armistice.
Comme on dit – Une fois un Brock, toujours un Brock!