The next time you fly out of the Vancouver International Airport, remember the Gunner that used to farm the land there.... James McDonald, Sportsman, Dies Funeral services for James McDonald, 47, Richmond pioneer, of Ewen Farm, No. 9 Road, Lulu Island, were conducted by Rev. J.R. Wilson, Monday, in Harron Bros. chapel; interment, family plot Mountain View cemetery. Pallbearers were A. Gilmore, Q. Crawford, P. Murphy, J. Cooney, O. Massey, S. Kearns. Mr. McDonald was born on Sea Island, where his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. John McDonald, farmed for many years. He died in Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, March 23, after a short illness. Surviving are three sisters and one brother. He served overseas in the great war with the 16th Battery, 2nd Canadian Division Field Artillery for three and a half years. After the war, with his brother, he farmed land which is now part of the City Airport, until its purchase by the city of Vancouver. He was a member of the B.C. Clydesdale Horse Association and an active sportsman, having played lacrosse for Eburne, the Native Sons and the first Richmond lacrosse team. He was a follower of amateur sports and had many friends in surrounding districts. Check out his nominal roll record here. Additional Remembrance Day photos have arrived from Gunner Sam Blake who is working with the 39 CBG Public Affairs team. Check out all the photos here.
Another Gunner from 68th Overseas Depot Battery, Canadian Field Artillery has been added to our list of Fallen. Gunner Rudolph Francis Revsbech was born in Spokane, Washington, USA on 6 Oct 1897. He joined the 68th Overseas Depot Battery 5 June 1916 and arrived in England 24 August 1916. He was posted to the 5th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery on 19 November 1916 and was killed in action on 10 April 1917. He is interred at the Villers Station Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Lest we forget. The 5th Draft of the 68th Overseas Depot Battery, Canadian Field Artillery has revealed a few more Gunners that never came home and have been added to our list of Fallen. Gunner Joseph Richardson was born in Barrow in Furness, England on 7 May 1896. He joined the 68th Overseas Depot Battery 15 May 1916 and arrived in England 24 August 1916. He was posted to the 2nd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery on 19 November 1916 and was wounded in action on 8 August 1916. He was hospitalized in England but succumbed to his injuries and is interred at the Hollybrook Cemetery in Southampton, Hampshire, England. Lest we forget. Another Gunner from the 68th Overseas Depot Battery, Canadian Field Artillery has been added to our list of Fallen. Gunner Henry Steele was born in Cumberland, England on 19 November 1889. He joined the 68th Overseas Depot Battery 29 May 1916 and arrived in England 24 Aug 1916. He was posted to the 6th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery on 19 October 1916 and was killed in action on 10 November 1916. He is interred at the Becourt Military Cemetery; Somme, France. Lest we forget. Military Appreciation Events
Both the Vancouver Canucks and the BC Lions hosted members of 39 Canadian Brigade Group for military appreciation events. Thank you for the support! Check out the Regimental Remembrance Day activities at HMCS Discovery, Vancouver's Victory Square and Langley's Arboretum. Lest we forget. See more...
The origins of the battery designations in 15th Field Artillery Regiment are somewhat unclear. The 68th Battery originated with the 68th Battery, 16th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery of the North Russia Expeditionary Force or it originated with the 68th Overseas Depot Battery, Canadian Field Artillery which enrolled thousands of Gunners in Vancouver and sent them to England as individual reinforcements. We claim both groups in order to ensure that we do not forget any of the Gunners from the Vancouver area. One of our recent discoveries was a Province newspaper article headlined, "DRAFT OF 100 MEN HAVE LEFT THE CITY". This article provide a list of names from the 68th Depot Battery! We were already familiar with Gunner George Bush from the 5th Draft so we were able to surmise that these were the 95 that were shown in the group photo from 1916. Now we just need to research each name through Library and Archives Canada to get their full story and find some way of identifying the faces in the group photo. Would you like to join the research team? Our list of known Gunners currently sits at 5,350.
Another week on the gun line. Digging the gun pit deeper, installing a new stove. Moving to a new location. Letters from home. Appears the family purchased a new car. Check out the diary here. Thank you to the family of Cam Cathcart for the donation of 216 books for the collection. These have now been placed on the shelves and are available for loan. Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Don Foster was also kind enough to donate another 53 books which have now been catalogued. Unfortunately, COVID prevents us from opening the Library to outside guests, however, if you see a book that you would like to read, contact president.vcrgunners@gmail.com and we'll see if we can make it happen. If you're a serving member, parading at the Armoury, check with your chain of command for access. Simply record any loans in the notebook provided in the library.
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April 2024
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