The Evangelistfor parishioners and friends of

The Church of Saint John the EvangelistMontreal, QuebecSpecial Issue : W.W. I : Vol. XIII, No. 3

In CommemoratIon of the men of St John’S who Served In world war I

In Flanders FieldsJohn McCrae (1872-1918)

In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.

(1915)

EDITORIALThe First World War seems almost medieval in the attitude of the Men who rushed to fight as if off to a Rugby game! It will be over by Christmas they were told, and many feared it would be over before they arrived! Was it worth dying for some obscure Prince killed by some irrelevant Student? Is any war justified to save them at the Top, who start it, by killing them at the Bottom who have noth-ing to do with the quarrel?This issue brings to you a sample of the views and beliefs of those who were there. Read, digest and ponder and pray to Christ and God to prevent future Wars.

- Tony Whitehead

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Message from Bishop John Farthing on the War from The Montreal Churchman, May 1915

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Bishop Farthing: cont’d p. 4

My Dear Brethren,

The Nation and the

church are passing

through a time of

crisis. The issues are

of stupendous import.

Great sacrifices are

being made and much

suffering is being

endured.

We in the Dominion are making sacrifices.

Our manhood has gone forth to face the perils of

war, to endure its hardships and in many cases to

meet death. That is the supreme sacrifice possible

for man. The great Bishop Westcott said that

"sacrifice alone is fruitful." Certainly when we

see the sacrifice of the Cross we learn how fruitful

it is. Every great advance in the world has been

won by sacrifice. Sacrifice invariably entails

suffering, and suffering purifies and enriches life

when it is the fruit of love's sacrifice. "The fiery

trial which is to try us" St. Peter says, makes us

"partakers of Christ's sufferings", and from it

we shall come purified as the gold is by the fire.

The Captain of our salvation was made perfect

through suffering.

I feel anxious that these sacrifices and this

suffering shall not be in vain, but that we shall reap

the fullest blessing from them.

Our Church in Canada stands to gain or

lose the most in this matter. In no spirit of boast-

fulness, but rather of thankfulness, we recall that

our Church is sending to the war about 60% of the

men (taking the statistics of the first contingent).

We have over one million of the population (1911

census gives us 1,043,017) out of a total popula-

tion of 7,206,643. That is to say one seventh or 14

1/3 percent of the population has sent 60% of the

men. In men then the Anglican Church is making

the biggest sacrifice - 60% of the suffering for the

war will be endured by us. We shall lose from our

Church a larger percentage of men than any other

in Canada, and our families will suffer corres-

pondingly. If we take it alright, we shall come

out of this war more enriched and purified than

any other Communion. If sacrifice be fruitful, if

suffering purifies, then we should reap the greatest

spiritual blessing from the war. What a wonderful

power we could be in Canada if we were a purified

Church! The world-spirit too much controlled us;

if we are purified through suffering the world-spirit

will be exorcised and the Christ-spirit will rule. If,

however, we make a big sacrifice and suffering,

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and then slip back into our worldliness and cov-

etousness and frivolity, it will all have been in

vain. I want to see the Church reap the blessings

from the sacrifice she has made and the suffering

she must endure. Let everyone re-consecrate his

life to Jesus Christ, and with all his heart seek the

Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, then we

From The Montreal Churchman, September 1916

Bishop Farthing - cont’d from p. 3

Sept. Montreal Churchman - cont’d p. 5

shall be greatly blessed, and our Church and her

members will have been made meet for the Master's

use. God grant that it may be so!

Yours in Christ,

JOHN MONTREAL.

At the noon hour Intercession Service in Christ Church Cathedral on August 4th 1916, the second anniversary of the war, The Rev’d W. H. Davison, of St. John the Evangel-ist Church, dwelt on the importance of the British people realizing their own shortcomings, and not losing sight of them in their expression of horror at the horrors which the enemy has committed. It is astonishing (he said) how quickly we see and condemn the faults of others, while we remain ignorant of our own shortcomings. Shall I be very far wrong if I say that this largely represents our position today? The undoubted righteousness of our cause, the fact that we did the supremely right thing in going to war - the decision to fight - has been called the most Christian act of our national history. This has

produced or increased our self-righteousness and obscured our own guilt and share of responsibility

for the war. For the real cause of the war we must go even beyond German ambitions. It is to be found in its fullness in the history of civilization in the last twenty years. We hate with a whole hearted hatred German barbar-ism and frightfulness; we execrate the violation of Belgium; and we are quite ready to thank God we are not as those Germans. But have we learnt in any ad-equate sense to say “God be merciful to sinners”? Do we realize our need

of penitence? What do we mean by these services today? We are here to try and be real, to see things from the sanctuary, to look at them with the eyes

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of God: we are here not to indulge in boasting and vain glory, we are here to join together in a truly patriotic service. A true Christian patriot remem-bers two things - the recognition due to Almighty God in the national life at all times; secondly, the fact that his country has faults and sins as well as virtues. To overlook either of these is an act of treachery and a failure in patriotism. As we look over the past two years, and especially the past few months, there is a great deal

Church of St. John the Evangelist

September Montreal Churchman - cont’d from p. 4

that should fill our hearts with humble thankfulness to God. We now realize, as we have never realized before, that it was a miracle that Germany did not win the war in the first three months. We may truly say: “O God, our help in ages past”, but we must also look ahead for God is also our hope for years to come, and, therefore, we throw ourselves upon God in intercession for the future as we commend to him our Soldiers and Sailors and our national needs.

Prof. Werner, of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, McGill University, lectured before the Men’s Club on Friday, Dec. 8th, taking as his subject “Big Guns, their Origin and Manufacture.” The lecture was illustrated with lantern slides, and handled by one who is master of every detail, was intensely interesting. The difference in construction and skill of the weapons of large and small calibre, of the early days, and the present, was very noticeable, and some scenes were shown of munition factories in active operation, where the shells to feed the big bore guns were in course of construction. Rev. W. H. Davison acted as chairman, and introduced the speaker, and at the conclusion of the lecture moved a hearty vote of thanks, which was unanimously seconded by the members present.

The Guild of St. Anne held a Patriotic Sale of Work and Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 9th, in the Parish House, and in spite of most inclement weather, a large amount was realized, the proceeds being devoted to the work amongst the returning wounded soldiers. It was formerly the custom to the devote the proceeds to the beautifying of the Chancel, but on the outbreak of war a departure was made in favor of the above mentioned patriotic and worthy object.

(reported in The Montreal Churchman, January 1917)

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The Boys Who Didn’t Come Home

Every year we read their names solemnly on Remembrance Sunday from the Memorial at the back of the church and perform a short military funeral

service for them. We think of their sacrifice and pity the brevity of their young lives. We wonder whether it was all worth it. English Montreal made a tremen-dous effort during the Great War and it never really recovered fully from the loss of so many talented and promising young men.

We no longer know them and no one living now remembers them; it has been too long. Yet, we feel that we should not forget them. Like so many others, our parish sent the best of her boys and men. At one time there were 110 of them serving overseas. The then Rector had four children, three sons and one daughter, and they all served in France, the youngest boy wounded at Gallipoli and dying on the Somme, after having been mentioned in dispatches. After his retirement in 1917, Father French sold his house and crossed over to England with his wife to “help with the war effort”. The parish developed a special relationship with the Irish Canadian Rangers and, had not the Bishop objected, Father Davison would have followed them overseas as their chaplain.

But 35 of the men did not return home. They came from every walk of society and served in various ranks and positions in different regiments. They were present in all the great battles and are buried in several military cemeteries of Northern France.

Below is the list of their names with the information I was able to gather about them. We know most about three of them, Guy Drummond, Herrick Duggan and Bertram French, because they came from prominent families and more has been recorded about them. I will write more about these three in the second part of our parish history (The French Years, 1909-1917) to appear this winter. For most of the others, all we have are dates, regiments and places, though behind every name, there is a tragic story, a grieving family, and a lost life. The list is on p. 8; photographs of the 11 are marked by an asterisk (*).

John Lennox Dugan, d.1917, Vimy

Christopher John Arnold d.1918.

Guy Melfort Drummondd.1915, Ypres

Heinrich Stevenson Duggan. d.1917, Passchendaele

Robert Blair Esdailed.1917, Catterick, U.K.

Bartram St. George Frenchd.1916, Beaumont Hamel

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Charles Alexander Poped.1916,Sanctuary Wood

Kenneth Mathewsond.1916, Lens

Henry G. Goodfellowd.1916, Ypres

JAllan Davenport Harveyd.1916, Mount Sorrel

David Benedict Rennoldson d.1916, Sanctuary Wood

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ALLEN, Charles V.

* ARNOLD, Christopher John. Armourer Staff Sergeant, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Died on November 19 1918 after the Armistice presumably from earlier wounds; buried in Wolverton Churchyard, UK.

BARNES, Wilfred

BETTS, Gordon. Private, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Regiment. Died during training before going overseas, August 27 1914. Buried in Mount Royal Cemetery.

BIFFIN, Edward. Private, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Killed in action at Ypres, March 25, 1916, age 26.

BURT, Arthur James. Private, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Killed in action on September 1 1917, buried at Aix-Noulette (Pas-de-Calais).

COOPER, Corin Henry Benedict. Lieutenant, Royal Engineers. Wounded in France on October 1 1916, died later in November 1916.

COOPER, Ernest

DAVENPORT, Harvey Allan. Private, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Division). Killed in action on June 13 1916.

DONALDSON, William

* DRUMMOND Guy Melfort. Captain, 13th Canadian Battalion (Royal Highlanders). Killed in action at Ypres, March 22 1915. Son of Sir George and Lady Julia Drummond.

* DUGAN, James Lennox. Corporal, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Killed in action on March 1 1917. Buried at Vimy Memorial. Distinguished Conduct Medal (posthumous). His family erected a bronze memorial to him in the north aisle.

* DUGGAN, Herrick Stevenson. Lieutenant, 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Killed in action at Passchendaele, October 30 1917, age 24.

* ESDAILE, Robert Blair. Second Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Died accidentally at Catterick UK, November 13 1917, age 20. A plaque east of the baptistery recalls his memory.

*FRENCH, Bertram St. George. Captain, King’s Liverpool Regiment and Inniskillin Fusiliers. (St. George Div-ision). Killed in action at Beaumont Hamel, July 1, 1916. His father, The Rev’d Arthur French, was rector of St. John’s. His parents erected a bronze plaque in church and gave a silver ciborium (which we currently use) to his memory.

* GOODFELLOW, Henry Graves. 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Quebec Regiment). Killed in action at Ypres, June 5 1916.

* HARVEY, Allan Davenport. 3rd Canadian Battalion. Killed in action at Mount Sorrel, June 13, 1916.

HEASLEY, Harold Richard. Gunner, Canadian Field Artillery. Killed in action on March 30 1918. Buried at La Targette (Arras, France).

HENDERS, Wilfred Edmund. Private, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Killed in action on September 29 1918, age 20. Buried at Buckoy Road (Arras).

JOHNSON, Francis

JONES, Arthur Stanley. Private. Killed in action at Vimy Ridge, March 26, 1915, Age 22.

* MATHEWSON, Kenneth. Second Lieutenant Royal Flying Corps. Killed in action at Lens, August 3 1916.

HONOUR ROLL[ [

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McGREER, Stanton Emile. Private, Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Division). Killed in action at Ypres, June 7 1916.

McLELLAN, John

PARKER, Edward W.

* POPE, Charles Alexander, Lieutenant, Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. Killed in action at Sanctuary Wood, May 7 1916, Age 38.

* RENNOLDSON David Benedict. Private, Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. Killed in action at Sanctuary Wood, June 2 1916, age 29. Born in England in 1887, studied at McGill (B.A. 1911; B.Sc. 1913). His parents com-missioned a window and a plaque in his memory showing his patrons, Saints David and Benedict, the last one in the north aisle of the church.

RIACH, Harry Alexander. Private, Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Division). Killed in action at Ypres.

ROGERS, Walter

VALADE, Arthur George. Gunner, Canadian Field Artillery. Killed in action at Denain (France), November 5 1918, age 22.

VALADE, William Ernest. Gunner, Canadian Field Artillery. Killed in action in 1917-8, age 19. Brother of Arthur G. Valade.

WADE(Y), Henry (Harry). Highland Light Infantry, 14th Battalion (he first tried unsuccessfully to enlist in Canada, and then went to the UK on his own expense and enlisted there). Died of his wounds on August 9 1916.

WADE(Y), John. Lance Sergeant, Pioneer Battalion. Killed in action, August 16 1916, age 23. Brother of Harry Wade above; died within a week of his brother. A third brother Edmund Wade also enlisted, Third Battalion.

Honour Roll - cont’d from p. 8

St. John’s School Cadets, Montreal, QC, 1908Photograph: Wm. Notman & Son

property of McCord Museum, Montreal

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The St. John’s Sacristy Book 1917-1919 ° Father Davison was Rector after Fr. French resigned on January 1, 1917.

° In 1917 and 1918, there were regular “War Masses” at 8:00 am on Friday mornings. Not always entered in the book.° On March 26, 1917 - Requiem for James Lennox Dugan.° May 13, 1917 - Maréchal Joffre’s visit to Montréal noted but there was no special service at St. John’s.° March 26, 1918 - Holy Tuesday was a Day of Continuous Intercession for the Great Battle of France. ° May 19, 1918 - Blessing of the Dugan Memorial Plaque in the presence of Lt. Col. (?) Davidson.° On June 30, 1918 - Day of Intercession for the War.° September 1, 1918 - Blessing of the Rennoldson Window and Memorial in the presence of Major George Barclay.° October 31 to November 10, 1918 - Church closed because of Influenza Epidemic; there was consequently no special service on November 11 and The Armistice not even noted in the record.° July 19, 1919 - Peace Treaty Thanksgiving Service but there are no details.° November 9, 1919 - Annual Requiem for those who died in the War.

Church of St John the Evangelist : 137 President Kennedy, Montreal, Quebec. H2X 3P6 Church Office : 514 288-4428 e-mail : evangelist@redroof.ca website : www.redroof.ca

“The Evangelist”Special Issue: The First World War 1914-1919

Research : Peter HarperEditor : Tony Whitehead

Designer : Carolyn Roper

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“Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us”.Ecclesiasticus Wisdom of Sirach (44:1-15)

Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us.

The Lord hath wrought great glory by them through his great power from the beginning.

Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and declaring prophecies:

Leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent are their instructions:

Such as found out musical tunes, and recited verses in writing:

Rich men furnished with ability, living peaceably in their habitations:

All these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times.

There be of them, that have left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported.

And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been; and are become as though they had never been born; and their children after them.

But these were merciful men, whose righteousness hath not been forgotten.

With their seed shall continually remain a good inheritance, and their children are within the covenant.

Their seed standeth fast, and their children for their sakes.

Their seed shall remain for ever, and their glory shall not be blotted out.

Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore.

The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will shew forth their praise.

Interior of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, ca 1914

Cover and back cover photos by S.J. HaywardPhoto of St John’s School cadets (p. 9) courtesy McCord Museum, Montreal

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