Remembering Private Jacob Lachlan “Lockie” Mailman—KIA September 27, 1918

Jacob Lachlan Mailman was born at Gegogan, Guysborough County, on September 26, 1896, the third of Harriet Louise (Baker) and Jacob Mailman’s seven children. “Lockie,” as he was known to family, completed his medical examination under the terms of the Military Service Act (1917) at Halifax on November 7, 1917, and was conscripted into service on March 15, 1918. Three weeks later, he departed for England aboard SS Ulua and landed at Liverpool, England, on April 19.

Private Jacob Lachlan Mailman

Assigned to the 17th Reserve Battalion (Nova Scotia) upon landing in England, Lockie trained at Camp Bramshott throughout the spring and early summer. On September 5, 1918, he was assigned to the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) and proceeded to France. Within days of arriving on the continent, however, Lockie received a second transfer to the 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario) and arrived in its camp near Agnez-lès-Duisans on September 11.

The 2nd Battalion spent the next two weeks training before returning to the line on the evening of September 26 and preparing for its role in the Canadian Corps’ attack on Canal du Nord, a waterway near the strategically important city of Cambrai. At 5:20 a.m. September 27, Allied guns commenced an artillery barrage on the German line. One hour and 20 minutes later, the 2nd Battalion’s soldiers advanced in “Diamond Formation,” one Company at a time, at 10-minute intervals.

The soldiers followed in the wake of the initial attacking units and faced no enemy resistance until 9:00 a.m., when they encountered “shelling and machine gun fire.” Personnel nevertheless continued forward, passed through the 4th Battalion’s lines and followed the 1st Battalion toward Bourlon Wood, its main objective. At this point, the intensity of enemy fire increased and the unit suffered “numerous” casualties.

The 2nd Battalion nevertheless maintained its forward momentum, passing through the 1st Battalion’s line at 10:00 a.m. and advancing toward German positions. While fierce resistance slowed their progress, the support of units on each flank enabled its soldiers to resume forward progress shortly after mid-day and secure possession of Bourlon Wood. Personnel spent the remainder of the day consolidating the position and settled in for the night.

Private Jacob Lachlan Mailman did not survive his first day of combat. According to his “circumstances of casualty” card: “The Company to which he belonged was in support during an advance west of Raillencourt, and came under heavy machine gun fire, Private Mailman being hit in the chest and instantly killed.” Lockie was laid to rest in Ontario Cemetery, Sains-lès-Marquion, France.

Lockie’s story is one of 64 profiles contained in Bantry Publishing’s First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume II: 1918 - 1937, available for purchase online at bantrypublishing.ca .