_THE FIRST REGIMENT CANADIAN GARRISON ARTILLERY._
This Unit was organized in 1869 for the purpose of assisting the Regular
Forces of the Garrison of Halifax in manning the Forts. The Regiment has
always been at a high state of efficiency, due to the superior class of
men it has been able to attract to its ranks.
[Illustration:
LIEUT.-COL. A. W. DUFFUS.]
From the date of its organization the Regiment has been commanded by
many prominent citizens. The following is the list in order of service:
Lieut.-Col. A. G. Jones (late Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia),
Lieut.-Col. Wm. Creighton, Lieut.-Col. George Mitchell, Lieut.-Col.
Thomas Mowbray, Lieut.-Col. A. E. Curren, Lieut.-Col. F. H. Oxley,
Lieut.-Col. A. G. Hesslein, Lieut.-Col. H. Flowers, and, in 1914, at the
outbreak of war, by Lieut.-Col. J. A. Marshall, followed at the
completion of his term of service by Lieut.-Col. A. W. Duffus, who
commanded up to the cessation of hostilities.
On August 3, 1914, Capts. A. N. Jones, S. C. Oland, and George Brew were
detailed for duty at the examination Battery. On August 4th the
Commanding Officer received orders to mobilize, and on August 6th the
Regiment was detailed to and occupied its various posts in the Batteries
of the Fortress of Halifax. All officers and men in the city reported
for duty: those absent were summoned by wire and letter, and joined the
Unit within a few days.
The following officers remained with the Unit during the War, but did
not proceed Overseas, because the Department at Ottawa claimed their
services could not be dispensed with:
Lieut.-Col. J. A. Marshall, Lieut.-Col. A. W. Duffus, Major A. M. Bauld
(Q.M.), Capts. J. M. Allen (Adjt.), W. C. Bauld (P.M.), L. J. Donaldson
(Chaplain), Major H. E. Gates, Major P. O. Soulis (transferred to H.Q.
M.D. No. 6), Capts. C. Churchill, A. F. Haliburton, L. L. Harrison,
Lieuts. O. A. M. Wilson, G. B. Isnor, W. J. O’Connell, J. E. Rutledge,
A. H. Thomson, Leo Esther, G. W. Carmichael, W. E. Forsythe, C. R.
Hoben, H. C. Frame, P. L. Whitman, D. A. Forsythe, R. M. Fielding, F. A.
Grant, W. E. Stewart, E. K. Fielding, H. H. Miller, W. Mitchell, A. J.
Haliburton, C. H. Crosby, F. S. Thomson.
The Department of Militia and Defence at first ruled that no officer or
man of the Fortress could proceed Overseas, as his services were
required here and he could not be spared. Later on this ruling was
somewhat modified and officers and men were relieved as soon as they
could be replaced by new men and permitted to join various Units. Many,
however, were not accorded this privilege, much to their chagrin.
Six hundred and twenty-five men and the following officers were
permitted to go Overseas at various times and with various Units and
branches of the service, taking any chance that offered rather than
remain at home:
Lieut.-Col. E. V. Hogan, Major G. H. Maxwell, Major J. L. MacKinnon (now
Lieut.-Colonel), Major A. N. Jones, Capts. L. N. Seaman, E. L. Miller,
S. C. Oland, G. M. Brew, F. S. Burns, G. B. Oland, G. A. Medcalf, P. B.
Stairs, Lieuts. J. R. Curry, W. M. Ray, F. B. Sharp, G. A. Gaherty, R.
W. Churchill, D. J. Maxwell, E. P. Flowers, D. A. Guildford, E. A. Bell,
H. R. D. Lacon, R. F. B. Campbell, T. DeW. Farquhar, H. M. Stairs, E. S.
Thomson, F. H. Palmer, R. P. Freeman, C. H. Coll, J. D. Smith, W. P.
Potter, F. G. Hayden, H. W. L. Doane, W. M. Marshall, A. G. Wooten, H.
St. G. S. DeCarteret, E. G. Dickie, A. E. Horne, R. G. Crosby, F. M.
Blackett, R G. McAloney, W. R. Harris, M. B. Archibald, H. B. Bell, T.
H. Whelpley, O. R. Crowell.
And from the Reserve of Officers, Lieut.-Col. H. Flowers and Major
Allister Fraser, M.C. Of these Major G. H. Maxwell, Capt. Philip B.
Stairs, Lieuts. E. G. Dickie and R. G. MacAloney made the supreme
sacrifice.
[Illustration:
OFFICERS OF THE 1ST REGIMENT, C.G.A.]
It is impossible to give a list of the many non-commissioned officers
and men who were a credit to their Regiment on the fields of Flanders.
Their records appear with the records of the Units in which they served.
It is supposed by many that the troops of the Garrison lived in
comparative luxury, whereas the contrary was the case. Many hardships
were undergone and, apart from the fact that the Hun raiders gave
Halifax a wide berth, knowing that an attack would mean a waste of
ammunition, which could not be replaced this side of Zeebrugge,
conditions generally were often not so good as in France, owing to the
severity of our climate. The casements in which the men were supposed to
be quartered in time of war were entirely unfit for occupation as, owing
to long disuse, they were in a very damp and unsanitary condition. The
Unit was, therefore, placed under canvas, and it was late in December
before any attempt was made to provide proper and suitable winter
quarters. Owing to a fine distinction made between the Militia and
Overseas forces, which only an army man can understand, the men were not
provided with a full kit, even boots being denied them until many of
them were actually barefoot. Underclothing and other necessaries had to
be purchased by the men themselves, until at last the responsible
authorities awakened to the fact that there was a real war on.
About August 16, 1914, the first Canadian Contingent commenced
mobilizing at Valcartier, and orders were received calling for
volunteers from the Garrison. The 1st C.A. were to provide one officer
and twenty-five other ranks. Capt. George M. Brew proceeded to
Valcartier with the draft, and on arrival was told he was not wanted and
ordered to return to Halifax. This officer was so disappointed that he
resigned his commission and travelled to England at his own expense,
where he joined a Unit of the Imperial artillery and served with it
during the greater part of the War.
In September, 1914, it was considered unnecessary to keep the Units on
garrison duty at full strength, and a reduction was proposed. The naval
authorities, however, insisted that a fully garrisoned fortress was
necessary as a protection for the Naval Base, and no reduction was made.
Later on the artillery forces were increased. All of which shows the
importance placed on the Fortress by the Imperial authorities during war
time.
From time to time the Commanding Officer offered the services of the
Unit for Overseas, and asked permission to form Batteries of heavy and
field artillery, but without result. Small detachments were allowed to
volunteer as emergencies arose, such as artillery Units being short of
men, on account of casualties occurring, while passing through Halifax,
and then only on condition that men were found to replace them. It was
not until 1917 that permission was given to form an ammunition column,
and immediately on its completion a second one.
Much might be written of happenings during the war period which, while
of interest to the officers, non-commissioned officers and men, were all
in the day’s work and of no historical value. It is sufficient to say
that this Unit with the other Units of the Garrison performed their
duties well and satisfactorily.