Lower Island Cove Soldiers Return from the War - July 1919

Soldiers Return from the War - July 1919

Here's an interesting little wartime article that I came across.

It was Friday July 11, 1919, and a large reception was being held in Lower Island Cove at the Orange Lodge, prepared by Mrs. Pickering and the ladies of the Methodist Church.  A group of soldiers were returning home from battle in World War 1.

 The following soldiers were present:

Sargeant A.M. Hudson - LIC
Lance Corporal Harry Garland - LIC
Sapper Simeon Louis - LIC
Private Stanley Garland - LIC
Private John Louis - LIC
Private Herbert Bursey - LIC
Private Charles Vail - LIC
Private Selby Morris - LIC
Private Horatio Turner - LIC
Private Frank Cull - Caplin Cove
Private Douglas Wicks - Burnt Point
Private Harry Morris - St. John's (visiting LIC)

 The soldiers are described as 'boys' and were given refreshments and candy.  I'm guessing candy would have been a luxury in 1919.

The St. John's Daily Star - July 21, 1919

With Rev. Pickering presiding, several speakers had welcomes and words of appreciation for the soldiers.  It's pretty amazing that Mr. Eli Garland had three Sons in active service.  I wonder if they all returned back to Newfoundland unharmed? Perhaps somebody in the Garland family would know.

The St. John's Daily Star - July 21, 1919

Unfortunately, many soldiers did not return home alive.  Eight soldiers from Lower Island Cove that gave their lives in battle, and were acknowledged at the reception.

Private Kenneth Morris

Private Arthur Cummins

Private Kenneth LeShane 

Private Reuben Wheeler

Private Charles Reid

Private Gascar Garland

Private William Morris

Private Phillip Louis

After the names of the deceased were read, a few of the soldiers in attendance spoke a few words.

The St. John's Daily Star - July 21, 1919

EDIT * A sad thing I learned since publishing this blog: Apparently Mr. Allan G. Hudson could not be present due to the fact that his wife just died.  Mrs. Eliza Rankin Louis Hudson died the day after her son arrived home from the war.  Rev. Louis Hudson spoke in his place. (Thanks to John Taylor-Johnson and Jeannie Howse for that information).

EDIT ** Here's a Note of Thanks which confirms that Mrs. Hudson passed suddenly the day before the social.  It appears Mrs. Hudson showed no signs of illness before retiring for the evening and had a busy day preparing for the social.

The Evening Telegram - April 12, 1919

The Returning Soldiers article continues describing the soldiers bravery, and mentions fighting in the sands of Egypt, barren soil of Gallipoli and the blood-stained soil of France and Belgium.

It's interesting that Private Douglas Wicks of Burnt Point married a Scottish woman.  The war bride was given a warm welcome by the crowd.

The St. John's Daily Star - July 21, 1919

EDIT***

Since publishing this write-up I was contacted by Mr. Ian Leary from England.  He had quite a story to share with me regarding the Scottish bride mentioned above!

Ian's Grandfather was Charles (Charley) Leary, who was born in St. Anne's Placentia Bay.  Charles was one of five Sons of John & Margaret Leary.  St. Anne's was abandoned or relocated years ago and the family settled in Brigus.  Ian writes that John's house still stands in Brigus.

When WW1 started, Charles enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment.  He was wounded at Beaumont Hamel, but he served until he died in action in Belgium October 1917 (at the 3rd battle of Passchendaele).

After enlisting the regiment was based for quite a period of time in Ayr Scotland, where Charley met Agnes Shaw from Prestwick (which is now an airport).  They got married in Prestwick and a son was born - John Leary - Ian's Father.

Agnes obviously became a widow in 1917 when Charles died in battle.  Therefore Ian's Father John never knew his Father Charles.

After Charles died and the war ended, Ian's Grandmother Agnes re-married.  Ian said he knew the new husbands surname was Wicks, but hardly knew any more details other than the fact she died in Boston, USA.

When she re-married she decided to leave Scotland for Newfoundland or the United States.  

Agnes decided to leave John (Ian's Father) behind with her Father and Sisters in Scotland.  Ian said he didn't know the reason for sure but he believes the new husband didn't have the appetite to care for another man's child.  John was very young, therefore he didn't really get to know his mother before she left for North America.

Ian tells me that he discovered details regarding Douglas via The Rooms database in St. John's.  He also served in the Newfoundland Regiment No. 5069 in 1918 and was stationed in the UK at the end of the war - but never saw any action.  Ian stumbled across this blog the same day which talked about him marrying a Scottish Bride.  Douglas was listed on his enlistment as a fisherman and worked with his father Josiah Wicks, mother nee Stockwood from Burnt Point.

Ian wrote that it took him about 20 years to trace Douglas and Agnes and establish the details.  I'm glad I was able to have a small part of solving his family history.

Here's a picture of Charles and Agnes that Ian sent me, shortly after they were married.  Note the jodhpur pants! Great picture.

Thanks Ian for sharing your story!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post.  Keep an eye on this blog for more Lower Island Cove history stories and findings.  If you have anything to add to any of my blog posts, feel free to drop me an email.

S.