It is the great consolation of Canada that, though their sons may fall
before this tempter’s trade in Britain, they will go back to a Canada
free from drink. But some will never go back, and they are not on the
Roll of Honour. They have been destroyed by the enemy within our gate,
this trade that traps men on their way to France and digs their graves.
A young Canadian who had never tasted alcohol came from a
Prohibition camp in Canada, came to England on a Prohibition ship,
and was put in a camp with a drink canteen. He started drinking and
contracted venereal disease. Ordered home as unfit, in fear and
shame he sought a friend’s advice about the girl he was to marry.
“You can never marry her,” said his friend, and that night in his
hut the young Canadian blew out his brains.
_Facts in possession of the Author_
A young Canadian officer was sent home disgraced. Sodden with
alcohol, he left the train and shot a railway clerk dead.
_Facts in Montreal “Weekly Witness,” October 24, 1916_
A Russian soldier in the Canadian forces, described as a clean,
soldierly man, with a splendid character from his officer, was
charged with the murder of a Canadian private who tried to separate
two quarrelling soldiers in a bar. The prisoner had drunk much
whisky and remembered nothing of his crime, and was sentenced to
twelve months’ hard labour for manslaughter. The judge hoped he
might be used as a soldier _in the Russian Army_.
_Record of Hampshire Assizes, February 1916_
A man from Prohibition Russia enlisted in Prohibition Canada, and
came to England. He spent 9_s._ on drink one day, and that night he
crept from his bed and killed his corporal at Witley Camp.
_Police Records of Godalming, February 1917_
A Canadian soldier, aged 26, after a publichouse quarrel with
another soldier, was found dying on the pavement in Hastings. His
throat had been cut, and he died on entering the hospital. The other
soldier was charged with murder, and sentenced to 15 years.
_Record of Hastings Assizes, March 1917_
A young Canadian soldier, aged 20, died from alcohol while in
training at Witley. He had a bottle of stout followed by nine or ten
“double-headers” of neat whisky in about two hours. He was carried
back to camp, laid unconscious on his bed, and died.
_Facts in “Daily Chronicle,” March 22, 1917_
A Canadian lieutenant was tried for the murder of a canteen
sergeant. They arrived together at a house at Grayshott, where the
lieutenant asked for some strong drink and took a bottle of whisky
and two glasses. The sergeant was afterwards found dead in the
cellar, and the lieutenant carried the body into the stable.
_Records of Grayshott Coroner, December 1915_
A man leaving a publichouse in company with a woman, with whom he
had been drinking, met a Canadian soldier not far from Charing
Cross. The soldier spoke, and the man struck him. The soldier was
carried to the hospital, where he died soon afterwards from a wound
two inches deep, caused by a knife.
_Police Records of Bow Street, January 1, 1917_
The wife of a gunner in the South African Heavy Artillery died at
Bexhill from alcohol. The soldier said he bought 12 bottles of stout
and 12 bottles of beer, one of whisky, and one of port, which they
drank between Saturday night and Monday night.
_Records of Bexhill Coroner, December 1915_
A soldier from Toronto, having been drinking away his pay in a
Carlisle publichouse, with another Canadian soldier and some married
women, failed to appear the next morning, and was found dead on a
footpath with a bottle of whisky in his pocket
_Records of Carlisle Coroner, April 14, 1917_
A Canadian soldier, having drawn £20 from the Canadian office,
visited several publichouses, and was killed in a scuffle in London.
_Facts in “Daily News,” December 2, 1916_