On 13 May 1916 the Port Arthur Daily News reported that Private Joseph Obrey of the 52nd Battalion had died of wounds received in action. ‘At the time of enlistment he lived at 33 Mons Street but his wife now resides at 77 Secord Street. Private Obrey was 36 years old. He came from Chapleau four years ago and was in the 96th when he enlisted in the 52nd. He was in the city’s employ for some time before that. He is survived by a wife and seven children. The majority of the children are being cared for by relatives. Mrs Obrey is almost prostrated by grief. Her husband’s last letter written 26 December she received only on 17 April.’ Joseph Obrey died on 4 May 1916 and is remembered at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.
On May 29 1916 the Fort William Daily Times Journal reported that Sidney Lloyd, of Port Arthur, was killed in action. ‘He was the son of Mr and Mrs C.E. Lloyd of 282 Lincoln Street and was 21 years of age. He enlisted in the 52nd battalion and was with the machine gun section. Before enlistment he worked at the dry dock and also at Davidson’s and Clarke’s bakeries. He was born in London, England, and had lived in Port Arthur for four years. In addition to his parents he is survived by two brothers, one of whom is married and lives in Port Arthur, and Frank, who works at the Prince Arthur hotel.’
Sidney died on May 15 1916 and is remembered at the Maple Copse Cemetery and on the Sons of England (Winchester Lodge, 99 Port Arthur) Plaque at St John’s Anglican Church, Port Arthur.
Our local churches are an important source for local historians. Many of them have plaques and memorials to the fallen of the Great War. The memorial at St Paul's Anglican Church in Fort William was painted by Group of Seven artist A.J. Casson.
On May 25 1916 the Port Arthur Daily News reported that Major Norman Campbell Pilcher of the Mounted Rifles was killed in action. ‘Major Pilcher was a former manager of the Port Arthur and Fort William street railway, having been appointed to this position under the joint board in 1909-10. Major Pilcher went to France with the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles and his wife and young son went to England and remained there while he crossed to the front.’
Major Pilcher was a veteran of the South African Campaign (1901-02) and also served in the 96th Lake Superior Regiment, Port Arthur (1909-10). He died on May 19 1916 age 37 and is remembered at the Poperinghe New Military Cemetery.
May 1916 was a quiet month on the Western Front. The term is relative only, for the Canadians suffered upwards of two thousand casualties that month. In the continual artillery duel the Germans had an overwhelming advantage in gun power; for the tremendous build-up for the Somme left few extra guns available for other parts of the British line. It was in May, however, that the Canadian Corps first made use of wireless for controlling artillery fire. The experiment was awkward and confused and nearly ended in tragedy, but it marked the beginning of a new system of control which gave more rapid and accurate fire.
To find out more about the World War One Centennial Project visit www.tbpl.ca/worldwarone.
John Pateman
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