 Bombardier Gilbert Bryan Davies has been added to our list of fallen. Bombardier Davies enlisted with the 60th Battery, 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery 1 April 1916. He subsequently transferred to 14th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery when 15th Brigade was absorbed. He was killed in action 9 Jun 1918 and is interred at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
 Corporal Julius Opel Lewis Has been added to our list of fallen. Corporal Lewis enlisted with the 60th Battery, 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery 20 March 1916. He subsequently transferred to 14th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery when the 15th Brigade was absorbed. He died of wounds received in action 20 April 1918 and is interred Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
Lest we forget.  Bombardier Cox writes to his brother Carl thanking him for the many packages received over Christmas, barrack life and training to be a telephonist. Check out the letter here.
 Gunner Andrew Rutherford Hewat has been added to our nominal roll and to the list of Gunners that joined the 59th Battery, 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery in Winnipeg. Andrew survived the war and returned to Rockwood in Wellington County, Ontario. See more here
 I've added in a page of letters that Bombardier Cox received from home before he was shipped to England. He carried these letters with him throughout the war.
At the end of the war, Bombardier Cox wrote down a diary of significant dates during the war. I've included the date leading up to the letters at the top of each of the letters pages as a means to understand the events that have happened to Bombardier Cox preceding his letter home. Former Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Brent Purcell has been engaged with presentations to supportive employers in British Columbia. Have you heard of the CFLC? Is your employer aware of the support they provide? Recognized companies include the Keg Restaurant and Bar, StemCell Technologies, University Landscapers, Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable (MARR) ,Forward Care Medical Clinic and Ledcor Construction Ltd. Check out the other presentations in the 2021 yearbook.  Bombardier Bertram Howard Cox, regimental #327964; enrolled as a Gunner in 59th Battery, 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery and was later transferred to 60th Battery, 14th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. Bombardier Cox survived the war and married Carrie Davenport in 1921. He emigrated to the United States, worked in Detroit Michigan for the Buick Motor Company and later as a buyer for the Hall Steel Company of Flint, Michigan. Bertram Cox became a US citizen around 1935. He was born in Barbados and spent time after retirement revisiting the island and also travelling to Europe. Bombardier Cox passed away in May of 1981 and is interred with his wife in Pine Tree Cemetery, Corunna, Michigan. See more here...
 Bombardier Cox writes to his brother Carl and wife Mabel about life in Witley Camp and on his training: Have just finished taking a telephone course, as this is our chief work at the front as soon as we get into a position. There are about 10 different phones all connected up; from guns to observing officers and to Headquarters and to Divisional Hqtrs. And Infantry Hqtrs. And to the first line trenches etc. and we have to get out and find the breaks in these wires and repair them. Great fun.
The 18 pounder field gun has a range from 1600 to 6200 yards, most effective at 2500 yards. We haven't done any firing yet, and only do so once, just before going across, which I think is not far off. Check out the complete letter here.  The latest addition to our nominal roll is that of Gunner William Holmes Walker. Gunner Walker enlisted with the Vancouver Volunteer Reserve, Boorman's Battery on 2 February 1916 and embarked for England with the second draft, arriving 13 March 1916. On 10 July 1916 he was posted to the 3rd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery and on 7 October 1916 he was killed in action. Gunner Walker has no known gravesite and is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial. The following excerpt from 3rd Brigade War Diaries recounts the events of 7 October in Pozieres:
Brigade O.O. No. 180 and 181 issued today (copies herewith) for cooperation in attack on REGINA trench. Loss of 8 horses during this week. Major McTaggart slightly wounded while observing but remained at duty. 1 other ranks (10th Battery) wounded, 2 O.R. (11th Battery) wounded, 1 O.R. killed 2 O.R. wounded (12th Battery) and 1 OR wounded on Brigade Headquarters. Lest we forget  Lieutenant Donald James Moorman has been added to our list of Gunners that enrolled together from the Bank of Commerce. His military record is somewhat sketchy as the Canadian military records cease on his later transfer to the Royal Flying Corps and the British file only records his enrolment as a Fight Cadet. His marriage announcement after the war has him listed as a Lieutenant. On his death in 1950, the Ottawa Journal mentions his award of the Distinguished Service Order but that could not be confirmed through any other source. See more here
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What's New?All the latest happenings with the Vancouver Gunners Archives
November 2022
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