_219th BATTALION, C.E.F._
[Illustration:
LIEUT.-COL. W. H. MUIRHEAD.]
In the limited space allowed for this article it is necessary to omit
references to the stirring events which marked the recruiting of the
Battalions of the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade, the 185th in Cape
Breton, the 193rd in Pictou, Colchester, Cumberland and Hants Counties,
and the 219th in Halifax and the Western Counties of the Province. Each
contributed to the popular enthusiasm, and through the agency of the
press any unusual success in one part was heralded throughout the
Province and bore fruit in distant sections.
In Halifax and the Western Counties, while there were many agencies at
work, too numerous to mention, they naturally centred around the
extraordinary series of meetings addressed by Colonel Borden and Captain
Cutten, when, accompanied by the 85th Band, they made their historic
tour, commencing at Lunenburg on February 26, 1916, and ending at
Wolfville on March 12th. They touched at all the chief points on the
Halifax and South Western Railway and returned by the Dominion Atlantic
as far as Wolfville. While active recruiting in many places had preceded
and prepared for their arrival, the extraordinary enthusiasm aroused by
their speeches and by the martial strains of the band formed an epoch in
each community.
Recruits enrolled were billeted in their own towns, and detachments
marched into Camp Aldershot on June 1st from Lunenburg, Mahone Bay,
Bridgewater, Lockport, Caledonia, Shelburne, Clarke’s Harbor,
Barrington, Yarmouth, Weymouth, Trenton, Digby, Bear River, Annapolis,
Berwick, Bridgetown, Kentville, Wolfville, Dartmouth and Halifax.
The first Battalion orders on record were issued on March 6th by Major
E. C. Phinney, who had been placed in temporary command of the 219th.
Lieut. C. Holland was appointed Acting Adjutant. For some time the
orders were chiefly concerned with the large accessions to the strength
of the Battalion, daily reported, as the result of Colonel Borden’s
successful tour, and the formation of the various detachments. These
recruits were now arranged in four companies, “A” in Halifax, “B”
comprising the territory from Mahone Bay to Clarke’s Harbor, “C” from
Yarmouth to Bear River, and “D” from Annapolis to Wolfville.
The first public parade of “A” Company was on May 27th to St. Matthew’s
Church to attend the memorial service for Lieutenant Campbell, who had
been killed in action, and who was the son of Mr. G. S. Campbell, one of
the most active spirits in the recruiting campaign.
In the history of the 219th there is a humorous distinction between the
first funeral procession and the first actual funeral of one of its
members. One night in the early spring a fire occurred in a house in
Barrington Street. Unfortunately the inmates could not be extricated in
time, and some fatalities resulted. The charred remains of one body was
identified as that of Metrofan Meik, a Russian recruit in the 219th. The
funeral took place from St. Mary’s Cathedral. A firing party was
furnished by “C” Company of the 85th. The Last Post was sounded and full
military honors paid to the dead. Next morning who should report in the
orderly room but Metrofan himself, very much alive and feeling greatly
the better for his leave, which had now expired. Who it was that was
buried with military honors has never been discovered to this hour.
The first actual funeral of a soldier in the 219th took place on May
2nd, from the Military Hospital in Halifax. The deceased was Private
Edwards, a native of England. The services were conducted by Hon.
Captain MacKinnon.
It was on Wednesday, February 23rd, that a letter came from Ottawa
authorizing the formation of the 219th and granting permission to
appoint Major E. C. Phinney, of the 85th as temporary O.C. It was he who
had the task of organizing the 219th, and the manner in which he
accomplished this is a fine tribute to his executive ability. For the
first few days he was assisted by Lieut. C. Holland, who acted as
Adjutant. In the beginning of April a rumor was in circulation that the
Highland Brigade was not to materialize and that the 85th was to proceed
immediately Overseas. Rather than miss this opportunity of going to the
Front, Major Phinney relinquished his position as Commanding Officer of
the 219th and went back to his former position in the 85th.
On April 8th Lieut.-Col. N. H. Parsons became temporary C.O. of the
219th. He planned a tour of inspection, but his purpose was frustrated
by a serious illness. Lieutenant Holland, who afterwards became Staff
Captain in the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade, was succeeded as Acting
Adjutant by Lieut. John S. Roper. He along with Major Rudland and
Lieutenant Wylie had been one of a Military Committee to assist in the
formation of the Battalion. He remained Adjutant throughout its whole
history.
By May 4th Colonel Parsons felt sufficiently recovered to proceed with
his tour of inspection, and during his absence the duties of command
devolved on Major H. D. Creighton. But the atmosphere was surcharged
with uncertainty and the Battalion was beginning to suffer for want of a
permanent head. Lieut.-Col. Parsons returned to the 85th, and, with him,
Major Creighton. At last on May 5th, Lieut.-Col. W. H. Muirhead assumed
command. Immediately the unrest ceased, and the Battalion settled itself
to the business of training.
On the outbreak of the War Colonel Muirhead went at once to the new camp
at Valcartier and was given an appointment on the Divisional
Headquarters Staff. But being unmarried and anxious to take his part in
the actual fighting, he transferred to the Royal Canadian Dragoons
before the First Canadian Contingent sailed, reverting to the rank of
Lieutenant. Early in May, 1915, he crossed to France in the Canadian
Cavalry Brigade, which included, with the Dragoons, the Strathcona Horse
and the 2nd King Edward Horse. For nine months he was in the trenches,
and witnessed some of the fiercest fighting of the War.
In Canada the idea was gaining ground that new troops should be
instructed in the latest methods of warfare, and this could only be done
by bringing some of the officers from the Front. Colonel Muirhead was
subsequently appointed second in command of the 112th, which was
recruiting at the time, and he returned in January, 1916. As above
stated he took over the 219th on May 5th. His keen intelligence, long
familiarity with business methods, together with the stern experience he
had known at the Front, fitted him in quite an exceptional manner for
the command and training of a Battalion.
The Battalions at Camp Aldershot were arranged in order of seniority.
Nearest to Aldershot Station was placed the 85th, and then in order the
185th, 193rd and 219th. Beyond the lines of the 219th were quartered the
97th, “The American Legion,” made up of men from the United States, who
had come to take their share in the fight for the freedom of the world.
Later in the season the waste land beyond the 97th was cleared and
became the home of the 246th, the reserve Unit of the Brigade. It might
be of interest to mention that the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade wore
Balmoral caps with feathers. The feathers were dark gray, but each one
of them had a distinctive coloring. In the 85th, it was red; in the
185th, green; in the 193rd, blue; and in the 219th, purple.
Naturally changes took place in the personnel of the officers of the
219th, especially late in the season, when the 246th was formed. But the
following list represents with fair accuracy the situation during most
of the summer:
Officer Commanding Lieut.-Col. W. H. Muirhead.
Second in Command Major M. E. Roscoe.
Adjutant Lieut. J. S. Roper.
Quartermaster Major F. W. W. Doane.
Paymaster Hon. Capt. H. D. Henry.
Medical Officer Capt. D. P. Churchill.
Chaplain Hon. Capt. C. MacKinnon.
“A” COMPANY—Major J. Rudland, Company Commander; Capt. H. A. Kent,
Second in Command (Capt. Kent, after going Overseas, became Company
Commander of “C” Company); Lieuts. V. G. Rae, E. R. Clayton, A. D.
Macdonald, R. D. Graham.
“B” COMPANY—Capt. M. C. Denton, Company Commander; Capt. E. C.
Miller, Second in Command (after going Overseas Capt. Miller became
Company Commander); Lieuts. W. M. L. Robertson, J. Belyea, A. C.
King, E. J. Hallett.
“C” COMPANY—Major A. K. Van Horne, Company Commander; (after going
Overseas, Captain Kent); Lieut. G. D. Blackadar, Second in Command
(after going Overseas, Capt. H. E. Crowell); Lieuts. H. E. Crowell,
N. L. Chipman, W. J. Wright, Kenneth Campbell, who went over in a
draft during the summer.
“D” COMPANY—Capt. G. H. Cutten, Company Commander; Capt. W. Noblett,
Second in Command (Capt. Cutten became Major in the 246th and Capt.,
afterwards Major, H. K. Emerson, recently returned from the front,
took command of “D” Company); Lieuts. A. D. Borden, J. P. McFarlane,
J. C. M. Vereker and E. R. Power.
In addition to these officers were Lieut. H. A. Love in charge of
Signalling Section, and Lieut. W. L. Black of the Machine Gun Section.
During the summer Hon. Captain Father O’Sullivan was added. He was
employed most of the time in raising the “Purple Feather Fund,” and
spent only a week or two in camp.
The Battalion was fortunate in its Sergeant-Major, A. S. Ward, who
blended a strict sense of duty with a genial disposition and secured
alike the approbation of the officers and the respect of the men.
The Camp had not been long established at Aldershot when it was honored
by a visit from Sir Sam Hughes, the Minister of Militia. On June 11th,
at 6 a.m. the Brigade was paraded. Although there had only been a few
days of united training, the impression produced upon the Minister was
quite noticeable, and ever afterwards he showed a kindly appreciation of
the Nova Scotia Highlanders.
On August 9th the Camp was honored by another distinguished visitor, Sir
Robert Borden, the Premier of Canada, who was accompanied by the Hon.
David MacKeen, the Lieut.-Governor of Nova Scotia. The March Past was
excellent, and the Premier, a native of the Province, was pleased to
speak words of heartfelt appreciation and encouragement. Another
inspection was made on August 15th, but this was more of a formal
military character and lacked the general significance of the previous
reviews.
The red-letter days of the Brigade’s whole history at Aldershot were
Friday the 25th and Saturday the 26th of August. On Friday the Camp was
thrown open to the public, who flocked thither from every part of the
Province. The resources of the railway were taxed to the utmost. Fully
eight thousand people visited the grounds and witnessed the March Past.
They were relatives of “the boys,” and nothing revealed more clearly how
tenderly the thought of the Province centred about the rows of white
tents, where the flower of its manhood was encamped. By a happy thought
the Camp Commandant, Col. W. E. Thompson, added to the ordinary review
exercises a short march in column of route, so the men would pass
immediately in front of their many friends.
[Illustration:
H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT INSPECTING THE HIGHLAND BRIGADE AT
ALDERSHOT CAMP, SEPTEMBER, 1916.]
On Saturday morning Field-Marshall His Royal Highness the Duke of
Connaught arrived. Exhilarated by the enthusiasm of the previous day,
the Brigade excelled itself in its manoeuvres, and especially in the
March Past. His Royal Highness, who was too fine a soldier to be guilty
of a meaningless expression, declared that he had not inspected anything
finer in the Dominion of Canada.
One other function completes the tale of reviews. It was the
presentation of colors by Lady Borden to the four Battalions on Monday,
September 25th. No little practice was necessary for the involved
movements connected with the ceremony. Once again the weather was
propitious; the sunbeams kissed the silken colors as they were unfurled
to the breeze, and rousing cheers greeted the declaration of the Premier
that they would shortly be sent over the seas.
That afternoon a competition was commenced between the various platoons
of the Brigade, which resulted in the award going to the “thirteenth
platoon” of the 219th, and as a sign that they had won, they were
permitted to wear their feathers with the edge trimmed.
On Friday, September 26th, a message arrived ordering the Brigade to be
ready to go Overseas in six days, and cancelling all leave for officers
and men. The announcement of this approaching embarkation would by
itself have been sensational enough, but when it came accompanied by an
order that no one should have the privilege of seeing his home again,
the men were fairly stunned. All had counted on a “farewell” leave. At
first everyone seemed paralyzed. Then their resolution took shape. It
was not in the Colonel’s power to grant leave but, though a strict
disciplinarian, he understood the situation and felt a deep sympathy for
the men, and determined that his attitude should be as lenient as
possible. The men were resolute to see their homes, many of which were
in the vicinity of the Camp. Every effort was made to stop them. Cordons
with fixed bayonets were placed around the station at Kentville. But all
to no purpose. The majority simply rose and went. They hired motor cars,
mounted horses, or even walked. For a moment there was a sense of alarm
and humiliation, which quickly changed to confidence and pride as the
men came streaming back, satisfied that they had seen their friends and
ready to do their duty in facing the foe. This unauthorized farewell
furlough was not confined to the 219th but was general in the 185th and
the 193rd as well.
[Illustration]
The six days’ warning was, of course, a mere preliminary measure but
definite orders at last arrived for the 219th to march out on the 12th
of October at 5 a.m. Never did Halifax seem lovelier than in the bright
autumn air as the Battalion marched along Barrington Street and up
Spring Garden Road and through South Park Street to the Common, where a
vast company of friends and well-wishers had congregated to say
good-bye. Ranks were broken and the soldiers mingled freely with the
people. The “Fall In” sounded, the band struck up a lively air, and the
march was resumed until the gates of the docks closed behind the last
file. Opportunities of further adieus were granted in the afternoon
within the limit of the dock, and then for the final time the troops
climbed the long gangways to the decks of the transport.
All night the _Olympic_ lay at the pier. On Friday afternoon she moved
up to Bedford Basin. Life belts were passed out and alarms practised.
During the afternoon, when rumors that we were doomed to several days’
detention in the basin were at their height, the anchor was quietly
raised and almost noiselessly the ship began to glide down the harbor.
But the movement was quickly noticed on shore, and the tooting of tugs
and the cheering of the crowds that rushed to the pier heads showed that
the “boys” had not been forgotten by their friends. The shades of night
were gathering in as Cape Sambro fell astern, and the twinkle of its
kindly light was Nova Scotia’s farewell. Betting in New York had run as
high as twenty to one that the _Olympic_ would be sunk because the
notorious German submarine U53, which had committed serious depredations
off Nantucket, was reported to be in the vicinity. Whatever anxiety may
have been felt by those on the bridge, seemed not in the slightest
degree to have reached the troops below, who had a confidence in the
British seamanship that was almost sublime.
On Tuesday night two destroyers picked up the ship and acted as
consorts. Wednesday morning the coast of Ireland was in view, and
Wednesday evening anchor was dropped in the Mersey, the voyage having
been completed in four days and nineteen hours. We sailed on a Friday,
and the thirteenth at that, but war has exploded the superstitions of
the world along with many other things.
Two or three hours were required for the disembarkation. Eight trains
were required for the whole Brigade, and they were started at various
intervals of time. The last two carried the 219th. It was nearly
midnight when the train drew into the siding at Milford Station and,
resuming their packs, the men began their two miles’ march into Camp.
Witley Camp was situated on Witley Common, a sandy tract covered with
scattered pines, known as Scotch fir, and with few houses in the
vicinity. Milford Village was a mile and a half away, and Godalming
three miles. The nearest town was Guildford, eight miles off. The county
was Surrey, and the landscape among the most picturesque in all England.
After the first cold snap that greeted the troops on their arrival,
milder conditions prevailed; the air became balmy; the fresh, full
foliage on the trees, and the fragrance of the flowers still in bloom
seemed to carry summer into December. But as November drew into December
cold mists settled into the valley where Witley Camp lay, and caused an
acrid chill that seemed to eat into the marrow of the bone. Influenza
(known as “flu” or “grippe”) invaded the Camp. The sick parade in the
morning increased by leaps and bounds; the general hospital at Bramshott
and the sick detention hut of the Brigade were filled and could take no
more. A special hut in the Battalion lines was secured and in a few days
crowded out, and even the spare accommodation in the medical room was
covered with bed boards on which lay fevered and coughing men. December
will remain to the troops at Witley Camp something of a nightmare.
No one as yet seriously believed, or at least publicly announced, that
the Highland Brigade would not be held together. Had not the Minister of
Militia plighted his word to that effect? Had it not been a promise to
the men when they enlisted? Towards the end of November, however,
sinister rumors began to filter through and culminated on the 30th
November in the call for the first draft for France. Immediately the
Camp was in a hubbub of excitement, for the draft required 800 men from
the Brigade, and this obviously meant its dismemberment. All reasonable
means that might avert the blow were employed, but the order was
explicit. No officers were to go except those in charge of drafts, and
they were to return from France whenever their duty was accomplished.
All non-commissioned officers chosen were to revert to the rank of
private. Ultimately 115 went from the 219th under the command of
Lieutenant King. The Brigadier addressed a few parting words, and to the
strains of martial music and the skirl of the pipes the proud lads
marched away leaving a thoughtful Camp behind. What was to be the fate
of those who remained? Rumor again became busy, hope revived and old
predictions were renewed, when once more with dramatic swiftness the axe
fell and when it accomplished its business the Highland Brigade was no
more. No one could have attempted to parry the blow more resolutely than
the Brigadier. He felt keenly the pledges that had been given and the
injustice to Nova Scotia; and his efforts were not without a measure of
success. Two Battalions of the four were preserved, the 85th and the
185th. Into the 85th some 350 men, nearly all the Lieutenants and Major
Rudland, were drafted from the 219th. A large number from the 193rd were
put into the 185th. The 85th received orders to prepare at once to go
Overseas, though this was not actually accomplished until February 10th.
The 185th was “slated” for the Fifth Division, and it was to remain in
Witley Camp. The remainder of the Highland Brigade were to proceed to
Bramshott Camp. It was in the last week of December that the large
draft, carefully selected and splendidly fit, changed their feathers
from purple to red and went over to the lines of the 85th. The officers
packed their kits and the happy fellowship of the Mess Room, that had
lasted from the happy days of concentration in sunny Aldershot, was
dissolved, alas, never in its completeness to reassemble again.
Between five and six hundred of the 219th Battalion still remained. Kits
and trunks were packed, adieus paid, our temporary English home broken
up, and promptly at 12 o’clock Saturday, December 30th; the Purple
Feather ranks, now varied with blue and green and red feathers, moved
off headed by the 85th Band. The Battalion settled down in a pleasant
part of the Bramshott Camp, on the brow of a hill overlooking the
picturesque dale through which flowed a streamlet gathered from the
meadows of Haslemere, Shottermill and Hammer. It was the country of
George Eliot and of Tennyson’s later years. Many travellers had come to
it, but never any on so strange an errand.
Presently there appeared in Camp the Old 17th. It had been the first
Nova Scotian Unit sent Overseas. Apart from its Commanding Officer,
Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, it possessed hardly any Nova Scotians; it was
officered and its ranks were filled almost exclusively by Western
Canadians. This Battalion, like the famous Minotaur, had fed on the
remnants of many others in its time. Would the Highland Brigade succumb
to the usual fate or would it prove an indigestible morsel?
At the commencement of 1917 a change of policy was inaugurated affecting
all the Canadian Camps in England. Witley was reserved for the Fifth
Division. In the others the Training Brigades became reserve ones, which
would have a full strength of 8,000 each, and each Reserve Battalion
(2,000 in strength) would have some definite fighting Unit at the Front
to which it would send reinforcements whenever required. The 17th was
made a Reserve Battalion in the 5th Reserve Brigade; it was to reinforce
the 25th and 85th and to be distinctively Nova Scotian; it was ordered
to take over the 219th and 193rd. Officially the whale swallowed Jonah,
but in the curious and unscriptural sequel Jonah took over the control
of the whale from the inside. This second transformation was undoubtedly
due to the fact that the 17th Reserve was to become a Nova Scotian Unit
and naturally Nova Scotians assumed the dominant role; and these were to
be found in the ranks of the Highland Brigade. But it was also due to a
stubborn and persistent _esprit de corps_ that had always characterized
the 219th.
The formal transference took place on January 23rd, and that date marks
the end of the 219th as a distinct military Unit, and forms a fitting
close to this article. It has been the story of a splendid Battalion
into which the Western Counties of Nova Scotia poured their best manhood
with unstinted patriotism. It represents the finest sacrifice ever made
by the loyal enthusiasm of that part of the Province. Fisherman, farmer,
lumberman, student, minister, lawyer, doctor drilled side by side in a
spirit of comradeship seldom excelled.
It is not given to this bloodless narrative to trace to the field of
battle the brave men that filled the ranks, but in the tale of their
Battalions they will be found to have played their part in the defence
of civilization bravely and well, and to have left to their country the
legacy of an imperishable example.