C A M E O O F T H E M O N T H
Each month I will put on the website the story of a soldier who died during the First World War.
They are selected at random.
Each month I will put on the website the story of a soldier who died during the First World War.
They are selected at random.
Brandhoek Military Cemetery
482059 Private James Hector Eldershaw
5th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles
Died on Saturday 3rd June 1916, aged 17
Grave reference II. C. 5.
Died on Saturday 3rd June 1916, aged 17
Grave reference II. C. 5.
James was the son of the late Thomas and Susan Eldershaw, of Clam Harbour, Halifax County, Nova Scotia.
He volunteered in Sussex, New Brunswick, on Friday 3rd September 1915, where he claimed to have been born on Sunday 19th July 1896 and worked as a fisherman. James was a Presbyterian, 5ft 11in tall, with a 39½in chest, weighed 142lbs, had a medium complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair.
Following training he sailed to England for further training before going out to France to join the Battalion in the field whilst they were training in Méteren.
The Battalion marched to ‘Camp F’ in Ouderdom on Sunday 19th March 1916, a route that took them via Bailleul, across the border to Loker then along the pavé to the camp. The officers arranged a cinematic show in a barn during the afternoon of Monday 20th before marching off in the evening to ‘Château Belge’. They remained there until late on Friday 24th when a march through the snow took them into Ypres, out through the Menin Gate, along the Menin Road passing ‘Hell Fire Corner’, to ‘Yeomanry Post’. After a quiet night the next morning became particularly active with snipers from both sides keeping up a constant fire. At 9.50am on Saturday 25th German aeroplanes flew low over the line and dropped pieces of paper, however, the wind blew them back to German lines so it will never be known what message they wished to convey! During the afternoon the artillery increased its activity with the enemy shelling ‘Sanctuary Wood’. The tour ended late on Tuesday 28th when they returned to ‘Château Belge’ for rest during the day and fatigues at night. Following another tour of duty in the front line they entrained at Ypres Asylum and went to ‘Camp A’ on Wednesday 5th April. After three days of some peace and rest, late on Sunday 9th a number of German aeroplanes bombed the camp and surrounding area. Small groups from each platoon went out each day on working parties and on Wednesday 12th the Battalion marched to Poperinghe for a hot bath and thorough clean up. The drum and fife band and the trumpet band led the Battalion to the station on Thursday 13th where they entrained for Ypres Asylum at 7.30pm from where they made their way to ‘Railway Dugouts’ and the trenches at ‘Maple Copse’. Whilst in reserve much time was spent constructing and strengthening communication trenches or providing carrying parties to the front whilst under constant shellfire. Following an intense bombardment an enemy mine was blown at 6.30pm on Wednesday 26th to the right of the Battalion and an attack began. The Battalion was ready to counter-attack, but that was not required. The tour of duty finally came to an end on Saturday 29th and they returned to ‘Camp A’ where they could finally clean up and get some well deserved sleep. The Battalion moved to ‘Camp F’ at 7.15pm on Sunday 7th May from where fatigues continued. Throughout the day on Monday 15th everyone was busy cleaning the camp and preparing to leave for the front line later in the evening. They marched via ‘Château Belge’ and the Zillebeke Lake to the trenches in ‘Sanctuary Wood’. Throughout the week-long tour each side were bombing each other coupled with constant sniper fire and artillery shells crashing down, as a result the Battalion took more than its fair share of killed and wounded. Upon relief the Battalion once again returned to ‘Camp A’; the next day, Thursday 25th, all ranks enjoyed a hot bath in Poperinghe and were issued with clean underwear. Holy Communion was rudely interrupted on Sunday 28th by the sound of anti-aircraft fire driving off a flight of German aeroplanes over the camp. During the afternoon a series of sporting events were played: in the football match against the PPCLI they won 3-1 and they beat the 4th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles 22-18 at basketball. The next day they were not so successful as they lost 1-0 in the football match against the 2nd Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles. The enemy bombed Poperinghe that evening when three soldiers and five civilians were killed.
Rest, recreation and training came to an end on Wednesday 31st May when the Battalion returned to the trenches and relieved the 60th Battalion.
James entrained to the Asylum at 9.40pm and marched through Ypres for the last time. When he arrived at ‘Maple Copse’ the scene was quite different from ten days previously: the whole area had been under sustained shellfire that altered the landscape and had reduced the few remaining tree stumps to matchsticks. Thursday 1st June was relatively quiet despite an attack was expected to be mounted in the near future. The German attacks of Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd June, in which James was killed, is eloquently described in the War Diary by Captain Barry Wentworth Roscoe: “A red letter day in the history of the Battalion, ever to be remembered by those who lived through it.
Nothing of importance occurred until the morning of 2nd June when at about 8.30am enemy began a very heavy bombardment of the front line and all the ground in Maple Copse and vicinity. The men were kept under cover as much as possible and at 9.15am the following message was brought in by two runners of the 4th CMR Battalion which was occupying the front line trenches 47 to 53 inclusive. ‘Our wires are cut, please have Corps Artillery turned on. General Mercer is here and wants it. General Williams has been hit.’ (sgd.) J H Symonds, Capt & Adt, 4th CMR.
Artillery and Brigade were notified of this message. Several attempts were subsequently made to get in touch with the front line without success. Runners sent out by us with this end in view were either killed or returned wounded, with news that the communication trenches had been blow in, and that it was impossible to get through enemy’s barrage fire. On account of the terrific bombardment of Maple Copse and the consequent destruction of the dug-outs therein, the CO deemed it advisable to place the men in the communication trenches on the south and east sides of the Copse, which disposition maintained the frontage from S.P.16 to the Cemetery, and SE corner of Maple Copse together with trench on South side. At about 1.30pm as all telephone communication was broken, the Battalion Headquarters moved into communication trench on South side of the Copse and at 1.50pm the following message was sent to Brigade: ‘Enemy attacking, we are holding East side and communication trench on South side of Maple Copse’. The position remained as above and at 4.06pm the following message was sent to Brigade: ‘Our present position:- line S.P.16 East and South Side, Maple Copse, S.P.14 S.P.16 still holding out. Am endeavouring to obtain touch with S.P.13 and 14, and 4th CMR. Have no report from anyone this morning. Present strength (380 rifles), 2½ Companies, besides those in Strong Points. No Lewis Guns.’
At 4.10pm following message was sent to Lieut. J. D. Fraser O/C Lewis Gun Detachment:- ‘Unless you have other orders, bring up your Lew Guns. We are in Communication trench South Side of Maple Copse’.
Subsequent enquiry showed that our Lew Gun Officer had received orders from an Officer of the Brigade to proceed to Zillebeke Switch, and he took up a position there acting on the orders of his Senior Officer.
At about 6.00pm the CO sent out a patrol to discover the position of the enemy in the vicinity of the S.P.14. This patrol found the bodies of several dead Germans near S.P.14, but reported our men were still in possession. About 6.40pm Captain Pitts OC ‘A’ Company was given the following order, in carrying out which he was mortally wounded:- ‘Reinforce S.P.14 with two platoons and get in touch with 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion on our right.’
About 6.00pm Captain Roscoe, OC ‘D’ Coy which had been at Zillebeke Bund brought his Company up through the open with splendid leadership into Maple Copse and was ordered to firmly establish a line on the East end of the Copse, from the communication trench on the South side to S.P.16 on the North East. This order was carried out with signal ability and the line maintained. A detachment of the 42nd Battalion came up about this time and occupied a position in support of the P.P.C.L.I.’s to the North East of the Copse. At about 7.00pm Major Draper 2nd i/c of the Battalion was ordered to take a force of 20 men to reinforce S.P.16. This order was immediately carried out and CSM Gill left in charge of the Strong Point, which he gallantly held until his force was practically wiped out.
The position of affairs did not change markedly until about 8.15pm when enemy began to appear in the vicinity of Observatory Ridge, coming apparently from the direction of Rudkin House, and about 8.30pm the enemy’s bombardment increased in intensity, particularly along Durham Avenue and South Side of Maple Copse. The enemy used Trench Mortars, Bombs and guns of all calibres, enfilading the trench from the East with shrapnel.
This intense bombardment continued until 9.40pm our casualties being very heavy, the Commanding Officer, Lt. Colonel G. H. Baker being hit and dying shortly after. During the period of this intense bombardment the enemy essayed several attacks on the East and southeast sides of Maple Copse, all of which were repelled by the prompt rapid fire of our men, who were at a great disadvantage owing to the profuse use made by the enemy of smoke bombs which very effectively screened them from view when attacking. The general bombardment by the enemy continued, reinforced with intense machine gun fire, during the night till about 11pm when the 2nd CMR Battalion under Major Allen came up and endeavoured to dig themselves in between Maple Copse and a brick barn on the Observatory Ridge Road. This they were unable to do and subsequently withdrew to the communication trench on the South side of Maple Copse.
At 2.30am 3rd June the 14th Battalion came up on our right front and dug themselves in on the line which the 2nd CMRs had attempted to establish — they were subjected to a very severe fire and were able to establish a line. A lively bombardment continued all night and at about 7am the 14th Battalion advanced across the open in a very gallant manner, but their attack being in broad daylight was apparently unavailing, for we saw nothing more of them than a constant stream of wounded returning. During the morning of 3rd June a desultory bombardment was kept up by the enemy till about noon diminishing in the afternoon. At about 6.00pm the bombardment again became severe, due apparently to the fact that the 9th Brigade was being brought up. During this time there were only two of our Officers left in the line, the balance being killed or wounded.
At 8.30pm another demonstration accompanied by numerous flares, trench mortars and bombs, took place which lasted one hour and from then until about midnight the enemy searched the approaches and communication trenches with shrapnel. The 9th Brigade could be seen coming in and they established themselves in our positions and in a new line just in advance. At 1.30am the remainder of our Battalion under Captain Hewson and Lieutenant Barnes, having evacuated their wounded and all possible rifles and equipment came out of the line, on being relived by units of the 9th Brigade.
Fighting continues and the enemy has taken a heavy toll from the 5th both in Officers and men. The enemy is being well held and counter attacks are beginning to push him back.”
Of those mentioned in the narrative above:
Lieutenant Colonel George Harold Baker died on Friday 2nd June and is buried in Poperinghe New Military Cemetery;
Lieutenant George Roland Barnes survived the war;
Major Dennis C Draper survived the war;
111195 CSM George Gill was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and survived the war; “For conspicuous gallantry in taking up a position with twenty men, and continuing to hold it against repeated attacks and heavy bombardment for thirty-three hours, until only two wounded men remained, and he was ordered to retire”;
Captain Charles Waldby Hewson was awarded the Military Cross and survived the war;
Captain Barry Wentworth Roscoe was awarded the Distinguished Service Order without citation, he survived the war;
General Malcolm Smith Mercer, CB, died on Saturday 3rd June and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery;
Captain Harry James Pitts died on Saturday 3rd June 1916 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery;
Brigadier General Victor Arthur Seymour Williams was taken prisoner, after the war rose to Major General and created CMG.
Guy has no personal gravestone inscription.
He volunteered in Sussex, New Brunswick, on Friday 3rd September 1915, where he claimed to have been born on Sunday 19th July 1896 and worked as a fisherman. James was a Presbyterian, 5ft 11in tall, with a 39½in chest, weighed 142lbs, had a medium complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair.
Following training he sailed to England for further training before going out to France to join the Battalion in the field whilst they were training in Méteren.
The Battalion marched to ‘Camp F’ in Ouderdom on Sunday 19th March 1916, a route that took them via Bailleul, across the border to Loker then along the pavé to the camp. The officers arranged a cinematic show in a barn during the afternoon of Monday 20th before marching off in the evening to ‘Château Belge’. They remained there until late on Friday 24th when a march through the snow took them into Ypres, out through the Menin Gate, along the Menin Road passing ‘Hell Fire Corner’, to ‘Yeomanry Post’. After a quiet night the next morning became particularly active with snipers from both sides keeping up a constant fire. At 9.50am on Saturday 25th German aeroplanes flew low over the line and dropped pieces of paper, however, the wind blew them back to German lines so it will never be known what message they wished to convey! During the afternoon the artillery increased its activity with the enemy shelling ‘Sanctuary Wood’. The tour ended late on Tuesday 28th when they returned to ‘Château Belge’ for rest during the day and fatigues at night. Following another tour of duty in the front line they entrained at Ypres Asylum and went to ‘Camp A’ on Wednesday 5th April. After three days of some peace and rest, late on Sunday 9th a number of German aeroplanes bombed the camp and surrounding area. Small groups from each platoon went out each day on working parties and on Wednesday 12th the Battalion marched to Poperinghe for a hot bath and thorough clean up. The drum and fife band and the trumpet band led the Battalion to the station on Thursday 13th where they entrained for Ypres Asylum at 7.30pm from where they made their way to ‘Railway Dugouts’ and the trenches at ‘Maple Copse’. Whilst in reserve much time was spent constructing and strengthening communication trenches or providing carrying parties to the front whilst under constant shellfire. Following an intense bombardment an enemy mine was blown at 6.30pm on Wednesday 26th to the right of the Battalion and an attack began. The Battalion was ready to counter-attack, but that was not required. The tour of duty finally came to an end on Saturday 29th and they returned to ‘Camp A’ where they could finally clean up and get some well deserved sleep. The Battalion moved to ‘Camp F’ at 7.15pm on Sunday 7th May from where fatigues continued. Throughout the day on Monday 15th everyone was busy cleaning the camp and preparing to leave for the front line later in the evening. They marched via ‘Château Belge’ and the Zillebeke Lake to the trenches in ‘Sanctuary Wood’. Throughout the week-long tour each side were bombing each other coupled with constant sniper fire and artillery shells crashing down, as a result the Battalion took more than its fair share of killed and wounded. Upon relief the Battalion once again returned to ‘Camp A’; the next day, Thursday 25th, all ranks enjoyed a hot bath in Poperinghe and were issued with clean underwear. Holy Communion was rudely interrupted on Sunday 28th by the sound of anti-aircraft fire driving off a flight of German aeroplanes over the camp. During the afternoon a series of sporting events were played: in the football match against the PPCLI they won 3-1 and they beat the 4th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles 22-18 at basketball. The next day they were not so successful as they lost 1-0 in the football match against the 2nd Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles. The enemy bombed Poperinghe that evening when three soldiers and five civilians were killed.
Rest, recreation and training came to an end on Wednesday 31st May when the Battalion returned to the trenches and relieved the 60th Battalion.
James entrained to the Asylum at 9.40pm and marched through Ypres for the last time. When he arrived at ‘Maple Copse’ the scene was quite different from ten days previously: the whole area had been under sustained shellfire that altered the landscape and had reduced the few remaining tree stumps to matchsticks. Thursday 1st June was relatively quiet despite an attack was expected to be mounted in the near future. The German attacks of Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd June, in which James was killed, is eloquently described in the War Diary by Captain Barry Wentworth Roscoe: “A red letter day in the history of the Battalion, ever to be remembered by those who lived through it.
Nothing of importance occurred until the morning of 2nd June when at about 8.30am enemy began a very heavy bombardment of the front line and all the ground in Maple Copse and vicinity. The men were kept under cover as much as possible and at 9.15am the following message was brought in by two runners of the 4th CMR Battalion which was occupying the front line trenches 47 to 53 inclusive. ‘Our wires are cut, please have Corps Artillery turned on. General Mercer is here and wants it. General Williams has been hit.’ (sgd.) J H Symonds, Capt & Adt, 4th CMR.
Artillery and Brigade were notified of this message. Several attempts were subsequently made to get in touch with the front line without success. Runners sent out by us with this end in view were either killed or returned wounded, with news that the communication trenches had been blow in, and that it was impossible to get through enemy’s barrage fire. On account of the terrific bombardment of Maple Copse and the consequent destruction of the dug-outs therein, the CO deemed it advisable to place the men in the communication trenches on the south and east sides of the Copse, which disposition maintained the frontage from S.P.16 to the Cemetery, and SE corner of Maple Copse together with trench on South side. At about 1.30pm as all telephone communication was broken, the Battalion Headquarters moved into communication trench on South side of the Copse and at 1.50pm the following message was sent to Brigade: ‘Enemy attacking, we are holding East side and communication trench on South side of Maple Copse’. The position remained as above and at 4.06pm the following message was sent to Brigade: ‘Our present position:- line S.P.16 East and South Side, Maple Copse, S.P.14 S.P.16 still holding out. Am endeavouring to obtain touch with S.P.13 and 14, and 4th CMR. Have no report from anyone this morning. Present strength (380 rifles), 2½ Companies, besides those in Strong Points. No Lewis Guns.’
At 4.10pm following message was sent to Lieut. J. D. Fraser O/C Lewis Gun Detachment:- ‘Unless you have other orders, bring up your Lew Guns. We are in Communication trench South Side of Maple Copse’.
Subsequent enquiry showed that our Lew Gun Officer had received orders from an Officer of the Brigade to proceed to Zillebeke Switch, and he took up a position there acting on the orders of his Senior Officer.
At about 6.00pm the CO sent out a patrol to discover the position of the enemy in the vicinity of the S.P.14. This patrol found the bodies of several dead Germans near S.P.14, but reported our men were still in possession. About 6.40pm Captain Pitts OC ‘A’ Company was given the following order, in carrying out which he was mortally wounded:- ‘Reinforce S.P.14 with two platoons and get in touch with 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion on our right.’
About 6.00pm Captain Roscoe, OC ‘D’ Coy which had been at Zillebeke Bund brought his Company up through the open with splendid leadership into Maple Copse and was ordered to firmly establish a line on the East end of the Copse, from the communication trench on the South side to S.P.16 on the North East. This order was carried out with signal ability and the line maintained. A detachment of the 42nd Battalion came up about this time and occupied a position in support of the P.P.C.L.I.’s to the North East of the Copse. At about 7.00pm Major Draper 2nd i/c of the Battalion was ordered to take a force of 20 men to reinforce S.P.16. This order was immediately carried out and CSM Gill left in charge of the Strong Point, which he gallantly held until his force was practically wiped out.
The position of affairs did not change markedly until about 8.15pm when enemy began to appear in the vicinity of Observatory Ridge, coming apparently from the direction of Rudkin House, and about 8.30pm the enemy’s bombardment increased in intensity, particularly along Durham Avenue and South Side of Maple Copse. The enemy used Trench Mortars, Bombs and guns of all calibres, enfilading the trench from the East with shrapnel.
This intense bombardment continued until 9.40pm our casualties being very heavy, the Commanding Officer, Lt. Colonel G. H. Baker being hit and dying shortly after. During the period of this intense bombardment the enemy essayed several attacks on the East and southeast sides of Maple Copse, all of which were repelled by the prompt rapid fire of our men, who were at a great disadvantage owing to the profuse use made by the enemy of smoke bombs which very effectively screened them from view when attacking. The general bombardment by the enemy continued, reinforced with intense machine gun fire, during the night till about 11pm when the 2nd CMR Battalion under Major Allen came up and endeavoured to dig themselves in between Maple Copse and a brick barn on the Observatory Ridge Road. This they were unable to do and subsequently withdrew to the communication trench on the South side of Maple Copse.
At 2.30am 3rd June the 14th Battalion came up on our right front and dug themselves in on the line which the 2nd CMRs had attempted to establish — they were subjected to a very severe fire and were able to establish a line. A lively bombardment continued all night and at about 7am the 14th Battalion advanced across the open in a very gallant manner, but their attack being in broad daylight was apparently unavailing, for we saw nothing more of them than a constant stream of wounded returning. During the morning of 3rd June a desultory bombardment was kept up by the enemy till about noon diminishing in the afternoon. At about 6.00pm the bombardment again became severe, due apparently to the fact that the 9th Brigade was being brought up. During this time there were only two of our Officers left in the line, the balance being killed or wounded.
At 8.30pm another demonstration accompanied by numerous flares, trench mortars and bombs, took place which lasted one hour and from then until about midnight the enemy searched the approaches and communication trenches with shrapnel. The 9th Brigade could be seen coming in and they established themselves in our positions and in a new line just in advance. At 1.30am the remainder of our Battalion under Captain Hewson and Lieutenant Barnes, having evacuated their wounded and all possible rifles and equipment came out of the line, on being relived by units of the 9th Brigade.
Fighting continues and the enemy has taken a heavy toll from the 5th both in Officers and men. The enemy is being well held and counter attacks are beginning to push him back.”
Of those mentioned in the narrative above:
Lieutenant Colonel George Harold Baker died on Friday 2nd June and is buried in Poperinghe New Military Cemetery;
Lieutenant George Roland Barnes survived the war;
Major Dennis C Draper survived the war;
111195 CSM George Gill was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and survived the war; “For conspicuous gallantry in taking up a position with twenty men, and continuing to hold it against repeated attacks and heavy bombardment for thirty-three hours, until only two wounded men remained, and he was ordered to retire”;
Captain Charles Waldby Hewson was awarded the Military Cross and survived the war;
Captain Barry Wentworth Roscoe was awarded the Distinguished Service Order without citation, he survived the war;
General Malcolm Smith Mercer, CB, died on Saturday 3rd June and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery;
Captain Harry James Pitts died on Saturday 3rd June 1916 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery;
Brigadier General Victor Arthur Seymour Williams was taken prisoner, after the war rose to Major General and created CMG.
Guy has no personal gravestone inscription.