Bombardier Cox enlisted with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 26 March 1916 as a Gunner in 59th Battery, 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. He enlisted with 7 other members of the Canadian Bank of Commerce in Winnipeg and was appointed Provisional Bombardier on 1 June 1916. They trained together and embarked from Halifax on 11 September 1916. He reverted to the rank of Gunner at his own request in September and re-promoted Bombardier in December. On 22 January 1917, 15th Brigade was dissolved and Gunner Cox was taken on strength with 60th Battery, 14th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. Bombardier Cox returned from the war in 1919, emigrated to the United States and didn't speak much about his experiences. It was only after his death that his family found the letters that he had kept and the ones that he had sent. We'll present that story over the next couple of weeks. We'll also track down the other seven soldiers from the Canadian Bank of Commerce. Watch this page!. Members of the staff of the Canadian Bank of Commerce in the 59th Overseas Battery. 15th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery - Winnipeg - May 1916
L to R Back Row: J. McEachern, Alexander McLennan, Tanner, Lorne Corneil McCallum. L to R Front Row: Donald James Moorman, Bertram Howard Cox, Andrew Rutherford Hewat, Bill Baillie After days spent scouring the internet, I have finally found a copy of the ILTIS Operators' Manual and have discovered the correct positioning of the 4WD levers! In simplified language - The vehicle is always driven in 4 wheel drive – Right lever up. The differential is usually not engaged – Left lever down .
Major Rix OC, Lieutenant Garrett Orderly Officer, Harvest leave, water shortage, forage cap prohibition, caution regarding intoxicating liquor on trains and boats, protection against gas, paying of compliments, steel chairs for Officer use only, Captain Frank Guy Armitage MC performance. Check out the stories here. Is your relative listed? You can also check out the other events from 1942 here. Dave King passed along another twenty-one photos of Yorke Island that he has had for number of years. There's a couple of new views of parts of the island. Check them all out here.
Captain Whitehead was the Acting OC for Major Harvey. A cable was laid from #3 Searchlight to Vancouver Island. Movies played this month included Keep Em Flying, Too Many Blondes, Arise My Love, Buck Benny Rides Again, Great Guns. Check out the rest of 1942 war diaries here. Latest War Diaries from September 1942 have now been uploaded. Major Rix is the Officer Commanding. A Court of Inquiry was held into the malfunction of one of the searchlights. The Battery changed its name from 85th Heavy Battery to 85th Coast Battery and red & blue RCAs were authorized. Texas was playing in the Mess Hall followed by First Love. All ranks were asked to conserve their Battle Dress due to shortages. Drill hall construction was proceeding, stopping rounds were fired, there was a note regarding plastic armour and #2 Bofors was moved to a position on Hill 260 where anti-aircraft practice firing was conducted. Check out the 1942 war diaries here. Sad news passed on to me by her daughter of the passing of Gloria Jane McGinley, the wife of Sergeant Charles "Scottie" McGinley. Our sincerest condolences to Elizabeth Ann at this time. Please go here for further information. Captain Osburn is the Officer Commanding followed by Major Ransom. A PWSS site is selected and cleared (Does anyone have information on what the acronym PWSS stands for?), USS Charleston passed by the island, Officers' Mess painting request, bring-to rounds, electric plant issues, proposed addition to OP, the deer mascot, trumpet band to be formed. Check out the 1941 War Diaries here. A great shout out to MGen (ret'd) Stu McDonald for spending hours at the Library & Archives in Ottawa taking photos of the war diaries. Thanks Stu! Major Rix is the Officer Commanding. The Battery conducted a night shoot under the watchful eyes of Lt Col Crossley, Commanding Officer 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade. Part I Orders cautioned against thumbing for rides and requested names for going overseas with 18th Man. Recce. Bn. There was a Victory Loan parade in Alert Bay and, as part of heightened security, there would be a cessation in the flying of flags and the sounding of retreat. A serious fire at the power house prompted a court of inquiry, approval had been received for the purchases from US Army commissaries by Canadian soldiers. There were only two bring to rounds fired this month. Read all the details here. |
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