Private Harry Black McLane—Died of Illness November 20, 1921

 Harry Black McLane was born in Stillwater, Guysborough County, on October 12, 1893, to Henry Alexander and Martha (McDaniel) McLane. Harry traced his McLane roots to Joseph McLane, a native of Londonderry, Ireland, whose name first appears in Nova Scotian records in 1780. Joseph’s father, John McLane, subsequently immigrated to the colony and settled in Onslow, Colchester County, where he later held the position of schoolmaster in Great Village.

Private Harry Black McLane, 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

In 1838, one of Joseph’s sons, William Hamilton McLane, left Onslow with his wife Margaret (McCurdy) and family and settled in Stillwater, Guysborough County. Henry Cumminger McLane, born in Onslow on June 1, 1826, was their eighth child and fourth son in a household of 11 children.

On June 12, 1849, Henry C. married Susanna Campbell at St. Marys, Guysborough County. The couple raised 11 children in their Stillwater home. Henry Alexander McLane, their seventh child and third son, married Martha McDaniel, daughter of merchant William and Elizabeth McDaniel, Sherbrooke, in New Glasgow on December 18, 1890.

During the following decade, four children joined the McLane family—Vera Elizabeth (DOB December 29, 1891); Harry (DOB October 12, 1893), Arthur Lorne (DOB December 3, 1894) and Frank Burton “Burt” (DOB November 29, 1897). Another two children—Florence Irene (DOB February 1903) and Murray (DOB July 1905)—were born after the turn of the century.

The outbreak of the First World War in Europe impacted the lives of Henry C. and Martha’s three oldest sons. Burt, the youngest of the trio, enlisted with the 193rd Battalion at Guysborough on April 1, 1916, and served with the 2nd Tunnelling Company and 11th Battalion, Canadian Engineers, in France and Belgium. A detailed summary of Burt’s service is available elsewhere on this blog.

Harry and Arthur, the two oldest McLane boys, enlisted with the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) at Halifax on October 22, 1915. Arthur’s time in uniform was brief. Upon undergoing a medical examination, he was discharged as “medically unfit” six days later and returned home. Harry, however, met the required physical standards and spent the next year training with the 85th in Nova Scotia.

On October 12, 1916, Harry departed from Halifax aboard SS Olympic and arrived in the United Kingdom one week later. The vessel’s passengers included four Nova Scotia battalions that formed the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade—85th, 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders), 193rd and 219th. The Brigade’s overseas arrival coincided with significant Canadian Corps losses during its September and October 1916 service at the Somme. As a result, two battalions—193rd and 219th—were immediately disbanded and their soldiers transferred to existing units in need of reinforcements.

A draft of the 85th’s soldiers was also reassigned to units already in France. While a sizeable number joined the 42nd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada), Harry was part of a smaller group transferred to the 13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) on December 5, 1916. He immediately proceeded to France and joined his new unit in the field four days later.

The 13th and 42nd were two of three infantry units recruited for service by the Royal Highlanders of Canada (RHC), a Montreal militia regiment affiliated with Scotland’s famous Black Watch. As a result, the expression was applied to all three RHC battalions—13th, 42nd and 73rd—throughout their First World War service.

The 13th Battalion occupied reserve positions during the Canadian Corps’ April 9, 1917 attack on Vimy Ridge, France, its soldiers maintaining communication with 3rd Brigade Headquarters and acting as a “report centre” throughout the battle. The following day, personnel “supplied parties to help clean up the battlefield and make roads to enable the artillery to bring up their guns.” Salvage and construction work continued for one week, the battalion finally returning to the front line near Farbus on April 17.

Harry served in the trenches with the 13th throughout the spring and early summer. On August 15, 1917, Canadian units launched their second major offensive of the year—an assault on Hill 70, near Lens, France. On this occasion, the 13th occupied the central position on a three-battalion front when the attack commenced at 0425 hours. Its Companies reached their objectives in less than two hours and consolidated their locations. Shortly afterwards, the second phase of the attack commenced, supporting Canadian units passing through the 3rd Brigade’s line and securing Hill 70 in less than an hour.

The 13th was relieved in the early morning hours of August 17 and retired to billets at Les Brebis. Its Hill 70 losses included one officer killed and seven others wounded, while 34 “other ranks” (OR) were killed and 186 wounded. Harry was among the soldiers evacuated for medical treatment that day, admitted to No. 7 Canadian General Hospital, Étaples, with a gunshot or shrapnel wound to his right knee. The injury appears to have been slight, as he was transferred to No. 6 Convalescent Depot, Cayeux, on August 23.

Harry was discharged from medical care on October 17 and reported to the Canadian Base Depot, Étaples. While awaiting orders to return to the 13th Battalion, he was re-admitted to hospital in late December 1917 for treatment of scabies, a skin rash caused by mites. The affliction was common among soldiers throughout the war, due largely to crowded, damp and unsanitary conditions in the front lines.

Discharged to duty on January 11, 1918, Harry rejoined the 13th in the field six weeks later. In mid-March, he was awarded 14 days’ leave to the United Kingdom, and returned to the 13th’s ranks near Arras, France, on April 3, 1918. Only days earlier—March 21, 1918—German forces had launched Operation Michael, a massive spring offensive targeting a large section of the front line south of Arras, held by British forces. While the Canadian sector was not impacted, all personnel “stood to” throughout the tense two weeks that followed. By April 5, the offensive had lost its momentum and the two sides returned to the stalemate of previous months.

On May 5, Harry was admitted to No. 57 Casualty Clearing Station, where he was initially diagnosed with tonsillitis. Subsequent investigations led to a diagnosis of diphtheria. a highly contagious bacterial infection that was common in the trenches, due to poor sanitation. In early June, Harry was invalided to England for treatment of “debility after diphtheria” and admitted to 2nd Western General Hospital, Manchester.

Harry spent two weeks in hospital before being transferred to a Military Convalescent Hospital at Epsom. On August 2, he was discharged to duty and reported to No. 2 Canadian Corps Depot, Bramshott. At some point during his time in England, Harry met Hilda Gell, born in South Bank, Normanby, on January 5, 1900, daughter of Harry And Elizabeth (While) Gell. Harry and Hilda married sometime during the autumn of 1918, as Harry re-directed his assigned pay to Mrs. Hilda McLane. 35 Normanby Road, South Bank, as of November 1, 1918.

Throughout the winter of 1918-19, Harry suffered bouts of illness. On November 22, 1918, he was admitted to No. 12 Canadian General Hospital with influenza—quite possibly the infamous “Spanish flu” that was endemic at the time. Discharged in mid-December, he was admitted to Brighton Grove Military Hospital, Newcastle-on-Tyne, on January 25, 1919, where he remained for one month.

Transferred to the Canadian Special Hospital, Witley, on February 20, Harry was discharged to duty six days later. On May 10, 1919, he proceeded to Rhyl, Ripon, for a series of examinations prior to his return to Canada. Finally, on September 17, Harry left the UK aboard SS Melita. As a member of the 13th Battalion, he was transported to Quebec City, where he was discharged on September 26, two days after his arrival. He then made his way back to Nova Scotia by train and returned home.

At an unknown date, Hilda made her way to Canada and joined Harry in Stillwater. The couple’s first child, Florence Hilda, was born there on November 17, 1919. After spending the winter of 1919-20 in Nova Scotia, Harry and Hilda returned to the United Kingdom aboard the White Star Line ship Canada, arriving in Liverpool on April 28, 1920. They made their way to South Bank, where Harry found work as a “ gas fireman” in a local blast furnace.

At the time of the April 1921 English census, Harry, Hilda and their young daughter were boarding in the home of John Ed Metheringham, 45 Upper Millbank St., South Bank. On June 21, 1921, the couple’s second child, Arthur Lorne, was born. His namesake—Harry’s younger brother—had tragically drowned in Stillwater on August 2, 1917.

Harry’s health problems continued after his return to the United Kingdom. He passed away in South Bank on November 20, 1921, and was laid to rest in Eston Cemetery, Eston, Middlesbrough, UK. Canadian military authorities agreed that his death was “due to service” and issued a Memorial Cross to his widow Hilda and mother Martha.

Martha (McDaniel) McLane passed away at age 64 in Stillwater on April 21, 1927. Her husband Henry A. died there on January 28, 1949, at age 83 and was laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery, Sherbrooke, beside his wife.

McLane Family Headstone, Riverside Cemetery, Sherbrooke, NS

Several years after her husband’s death, Hilda McLane re-married and raised a family of three children with her second husband. She passed away in Middlesbrough, UK, on October 21, 1959. Harry and Hilda’s daughter Florence married George Brooks, a native of Cleveland, Yorkshire, in July 1948 and passed away in July 1992. No further information is available on her life or family.

Harry and Hilda’s son Arthur married Sheila Pursey and raised a family of five children, three of whom died in infancy. Arthur passed away in London, UK, in the late 1990s. Arthur and Sheila’s son Peter, born on September 24, 1959, married and resided in Eston, where he had his wife raised a family of three daughters. Peter passed away on October 8, 1994. His daughters currently reside in the United Kingdom. 

Private Ernest Clare Simpson—Died of Illness February 9, 1925

 Ernest Clare Simpson was born in Middle Manchester, Guysborough County, on July 9, 1896, the youngest of William Gladstone and Emma Alma (Torey) Simpson’s 14 children. Both of his parents were Guysborough County natives. William was born in Manchester on April 17, 1845, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann (Horton)  Simpson, while Emma was born in Guysborough Intervale on October 18, 1854, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Brimer) Torey. The couple were married at Manchester on March 13, 1873.

Private Ernest Clare Simpson

William and Emma raised a family of 14 children—daughters Iona Gertrude (DOB August 16, 1874); Sarah Alice (DOB August 27, 1876); Florence Augusta (DOB March 5, 1879); Annie Laura (DOB October 21, 1884); Cora Beatrice (YOB 1886); Jenny Edith May (DOB September 21, 1890); Winnifred Clyde (DOB October 8, 1893); and sons Milton Simpson (YOB 1877); Harold Edwin (DOB February 18, 1878); Lewis (YOB 1883); William Gladstone (DOB November 30, 1880); Arthur Augustus (DOB July 22, 1882); Gordon Torey (DOB February 21, 1887); and Ernest Clare (DOB July 9, 1896).

1881 and 1891 Canadian census records list William Gladstone Simpson Sr.’s occupations as “farmer” and “carpenter.” By 1911, the family had relocated to Boylston, where William held the office of postmaster. The six oldest Simpson sons were for the most part beyond the median age for military service during the First World War. Ernest’s 1896 birth year, however, made him an ideal candidate.

On May 8, 1918, Ernest was conscripted into service at Halifax, NS, under the terms of the Military Service Act (1917). He immediately reported to Camp Aldershot for military training. While there, he was hospitalized with measles, a common camp affliction, in mid-June. Discharged to duty in early July, he departed for overseas on August 2, 1918.

Pte. Ernest Clare Simpson (left) and an unknown soldier

Three weeks after arriving in the United Kingdom, Ernest was “taken on strength” by the 17th Reserve Battalion. Stationed at Camp Bramshott, the 17th provided reinforcements for Nova Scotia’s two front-line infantry units—the 25th (Nova Scotia Rifles) and 85th (Nova Scotia Highlanders) Battalions.

Canadian forces were directly involved in the 100 Days Campaign that commenced at Amiens on August 8, 1918, and brought the war to an end on November 11, 1918. Ernest’s late overseas arrival meant that he was not assigned to a combat unit on the continent during the campaign. Instead, he remained in the United Kingdom throughout the winter of 1918-19.

As active combat units in Europe were sent home first, reinforcement units in the United Kingdom were among the last to depart for Canada. While waiting the return home, Ernest was admitted to Ripon Military Hospital on May 15, 1919, with pain in the left side of his chest. The following day, he was diagnosed with pleurisy—inflammation of the tissues that line the outside of the lungs and inner chest wall. A later note on his medical chart contained the following comment: “Left side: considerable effusion [fluid build-up] which has now cleared up…. No TB [tuberculosis] in sputum. Needs time… [to recover in] Special Canadian Hospital.”

On June 25, Ernest was discharged to Epsom Military Convalescent Hospital. Four days later, he was admitted to 16th Canadian General Hospital, Orpington, for treatment of “pleurisy and influenza.” Medical notes also included a reference to the possible presence of tuberculosis.

Ernest was discharged from medical care for a second time on July 4, 1919. Three weeks later, he departed from Glasgow, Scotland, aboard the Saturnia, destined for Montreal, QC. Upon arriving in Canada on August 4, he travelled by train to Halifax, where he was formally discharged from military service on August 13, 1919.

Ernest returned to the Simpson family home in Boylston, where he resided with his parents and two older brothers, William Jr. and Gordon. Following his father’s death on April 23, 1924, Ernest assumed the position of postmaster. Shortly afterward, however, the health issues that initially surfaced during his time overseas returned.

Private Ernest Clare Simpson's headstone, Boylston Baptist Cemetery

On June 9, 1924, Ernest was admitted to the Nova Scotia Sanatorium, Kentville, for treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Over the next eight months, his health worsened. Private Ernest Clare Simpson died in the Nova Scotia Sanatorium on February 9, 1925. His remains were transported to Boylston, where he was laid to rest in the Baptist Church Cemetery.

Special thanks to Winn (Manson) Campbell, Meadowvale/Sherbrooke, NS, who provided the images included in this post and brought Ernest's story to my attention. Ernest is the 141st known Guysborough County First World War fatality.

Private William Andrew "Will" Jordain, Newtown, Guysborough County—A Postscript

 Almost a decade ago, the story of Private William Andrew “Will” Jordain, Newtown, Guysborough County, was posted on this blog. Will was killed on October 30, 1917, during the battle of Passchendaele, Belgium, while serving with the 15th Canadian Machine Gun Company. At that time, the exact circumstances of Will’s death were not known. A family descendant recently came across an old newspaper clipping that provides additional details on what transpired that day.

Pte. William Andrew Jordain

After Will’s tragic death, William Marsden Hughes, a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, wrote a letter to his mother, Mrs. Peter [Carrie Archibald] Jordain.  William enlisted with the 151st Battalion—Will’s initial unit—at Edmonton, Alberta, on December 15, 1915. His overseas service corresponded with Will’s time in uniform. When the 151st Battalion was dissolved after arriving in the United Kingdom, William was also assigned to the 15th Canadian Machine Gun Company.

There is no date on the letter and  no indication as to where it was published. Below is a complete transcript of William’s letter to Carrie:

Mrs. Peter Jordain:

Dear Friend—I suppose by now you have received the sad news of the death of your gallant son, Pte. W. A. Jordain, both official and from his Sergeant Gates.

Before I go any further I shall tell you who I am and how it is I am writing you. My name is Pte. Wm. M. Hughes, No 62098, B Section, 15th Canadian Machine Gun Company, BEF [British Expeditionary Force], France. Your son and I both enlisted in the same battalion, both about the same time. We went into the Machine Gun Section, 151 Battalion, at Sarcee Camp, Alberta. From then right up to the time of his death, we were pals together. He was considerably older than I. He was more like an older brother or a father than a friend. He always helps in things I did not know and by his experience and his help, he saved me many a hard knock.

A year ago this New Years [December 31, 1916 - January 1, 1917], we sat up and watched the old year out and the new in. It was on that night he gave me your address and asked for my mother’s, both agreeing that if anything happened to either of us the one who was left would write and explain. We both prayed that the time would never come. We left England together and were sent both to the same company and to the same section, but different gun crews. He was on No. 1 and I was on No 2. So when we were in the line we were side by side.

Every one in the section had a good word for him. He was our spokesman whenever there was [sic] any complaints about food, billets, etc. It was he who made his crew of four to six men most comfortable in the line and looked after them and saw that they got their share of all the little comforts he could get for his men. It was he who had a young lad in his crew, who was not very strong and when the other men went in with only a tripod for the gun he carried his tripod and strapped to each leg of his tripod he had a full belt box. This meant that he had between 30 and 40 pounds more to carry. He did this so that the young lad who was with him would not have so much to carry.

16th Canadian Machine Gun Company positions, Passchendaele, Oct/Nov 1917

It was on the afternoon of October 29 if I remember correctly, we were waiting to be relieved when the enemy opened up to shell us. A shell hit his position and exploded. He and the officer and his crew of three men never knew what hit them. They went to their Creator without any pain at all. Dear mother, I know that your heart is broken and that it is hard to bear. It will not be long at the most when you will be called Home, and know up yonder he is waiting for you. You have this to be thankful for; he had no pain like many of the fellows have before they go out and that his resting place is marked, not like many that have nothing to show where they lay.

We buried him up on the shell torn ridge along with his officer and crew. At the head of his grave there is a cross bearing his name, number, unit, and the date he died doing his duty like a soldier, trusting God and loved by all his friends, and every one was his friend.

Your sorrow is mine. He was all a fellow would ask for and more in the way of advice that fathers would give. He was through the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Sergeant Gates was sent out [from Passchenadaele] gassed. I will close now, as a friend.

Wm. M. Hughes

The mud-soaked battlefield where Will Jordain was buried endured another 12 months of artillery shelling, obliterating the final resting places of many Passenchendaele fatalities, Will’s grave among them. His name is engraved on the panels of the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium, erected after the war to commemorate the deaths of 54,587 British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in the Ypres Salient, and who have no known graves.

Special thanks to Jennifer MacKay, Truro, NS, great-great-niece of William Andrew Jordain, for sharing this news item.