Remembering Private Thomas Sullivan—Died of Wounds November 5, 1917

Thomas Sullivan was born at Canso, Guysborough County on August 22, 1885, the youngest of David and Mary Sullivan’s five sons. David passed away on January 20, 1911, leaving Thomas and his older brother, Neil, to care for their widowed mother.

Private Thomas William Sullivan.

On April 24, 1916, Thomas enlisted with the 193rd Battalion at Canso, NS. Following a month’s training with a local detachment, Thomas travelled to Camp Aldershot, where he spent the summer training alongside the 193rd’s three Nova Scotia Highland Brigade mates, the 85th (Nova Scotia Highlanders), 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) and 219th Battalions.

During the month of August, Thomas was reported “absent without leave” for eight days. While the 193rd departed with the Highland Brigade aboard RMS Olympic on October 12, perhaps due to his earlier transgression, Thomas was re-assigned to No. 6 Special Services Company, Halifax, several days prior to the vessel’s departure. Despite a second “AWL” infraction in January 1917, Thomas departed Halifax on March 26 with a reinforcement draft from the 246th Battalion.

Initially assigned to the 17th Reserve Battalion upon arriving in England, Thomas later spent six weeks with the 185th Battalion before receiving a transfer to the 85th Battalion on July 10. After landing in France, Thomas remained at Canadian Base Depot, Le Havre, for three weeks before he was temporarily assigned to 4th Entrenching Battalion. Thomas spent two months in the forward area with the labour unit, finally joining the 85th’s ranks at Bruay, France on October 10.

One week after Thomas’s arrival, the unit travelled northward to Staple, France, adjacent to the Belgian border, and commenced training for its next assignment—the Canadian Corps’ attack on Passchendaele Ridge, Belgium. On October 23, the soldiers travelled to Ypres, Belgium and marched to nearby St. Lawrence Camp. Three days later, 3rd and 4th Canadian Division units launched the first stage of a four-phase attack on the ridge.

On the night of October 28, Thomas accompanied the 85th into the line for his first “tour” in the trenches. Following a final day of preparation, three 85th Companies went “over the top” toward their objective—a cluster of fortified structures at a location called “Vienna Cottage”—at 5:50 a.m. October 30.

The advancing soldiers were immediately met by a hail of machine gun, rifle and artillery fire that completely impeded their progress. According to later reports, fighting raged for 10 to 30 minutes before “D” Company, waiting in reserve, joined the fray. German resistance broke as the reinforcements reached their comrades and the battalion swept forward to its objective.

While the unit’s soldiers set about establishing a defensive line several hundred yards in front of Vienna Cottage, the Officer in charge sent a Battalion Headquarters, indicating that the unit had suffered “heavy” casualties. The 85th remained in the line throughout the following day, enduring a particularly fierce artillery bombardment after dusk. The battalion withdrew from the line during the night of October 31/November 1, having suffered almost 400 casualties during its Passchendaele tour.

Private Thomas Sullivan was among the soldiers wounded during the first day’s fighting. Thomas was admitted to No. 8 Canadian Field Ambulance on October 30 with a serious wound to his right chest. Medical staff immediately performed surgery on the area, identifying two wounds—`’entry and exit”—on the right side of his sternum,  but finding no “foreign body.”

Evacuated to No 3 Casualty Clearing Station on November 1, Thomas lingered in “dangerous” condition for several days before passing away from his injuries on November 5, 1917. Private Thomas Sullivan was laid to rest in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Bantry Publishing’s “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume I: 1915 - 1917” contains a detailed description of Thomas’s family background and military experience, along with profiles of 71 other Guysborough County soldiers and sailors who lost their lives during the first three years of Canadian overseas service.

Remembering Lance Corporal Owen Delbert Somers—Died of Wounds November 4, 1917

Owen Delbert Somers was born at Middle Melford, Guysborough County on January 21, 1896, the youngest of Harriet A. (Grant) and David A. Somers’ five children. Owen was working as a baker in Sydney, NS when he enlisted with the 185th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders) on March 28, 1916. The unit trained at Camp Broughton—an abandoned mining operation on the outskirts of Sydney—until late May, at which time its soldiers relocated to Camp Aldershot for a summer of military drill, alongside their comrades from three additional Nova Scotia Highland Brigade units.

Lance Corporal Owen Delbert Somers.

On October 12, the Brigade’s four battalions—85th (Nova Scotia Highlanders), 185th, 193rd and 219th—departed Halifax aboard RMS Olympic and made their way to Camp Witley in southern England. Upon arriving overseas, Owen was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. Before year’s end, significant Canadian casualties incurred at the Somme during the autumn of 1916 resulted in the dissolution of the 193rd and 219th Battalions. While the 185th remained intact with Owen among its ranks, an abscess in his groin resulted in Owen’s hospitalization for several months and eliminated the possibility of a transfer to a unit at the front.

Discharged from medical care on April 21, Owen reverted to the rank of Private shortly afterward, in order to hasten a transfer to France. On June 25, Owen proceeded overseas for service with the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders). The Highland Brigade’s senior unit, the 85th had landed in France on February 10, 1917. Two of its four Companies saw combat at Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917, proceeding up Hill 145’s western slopes during the early evening hours and capturing the ridge’s highest point.

Throughout the spring and summer months, Owen served with the battalion in sectors near Lens, France and followed the unit northward to Staple, France—adjacent to the Belgian border—in early October. For several weeks, personnel trained in preparation for the Canadian Corps’ next major assignment—an attack on Passchendaele village and its surrounding ridge.

On October 23, the 85th broke camp and travelled to Ypres. Three days later, 3rd and 4th Division units launched the first phase of a four-stage attack on the ridge. On the night of October 28, the 85th made its way into the line and the following day completed final preparations for combat. At 5:50 a.m. October 30, three of the 85th’s Companies advanced toward their assigned target, a cluster of fortified buildings at a location called “Vienna Cottage.”

A hail of German machine gun, rifle and artillery fire greeted the soldiers as they made their way forward, several of their Officers falling as the Companies left their “jumping off” positions. Within minutes, a ferocious fire-fight erupted in No Man’s Land and any soldier who attempted to stand instantly became a casualty. According to later reports, the fighting raged for 10 to 30 minutes before “D” Company, waiting in reserve, advanced in support. German resistance broke as the reinforcements reached their comrades and the battalion swept onward to its objective.

While the unit succeeded in capturing Vienna Cottage and advanced to its final destination several hundred yards beyond, the Officer in charge reported that casualties were “heavy.” The soldiers set about establishing a new defensive line, enduring a particularly heavy bombardment after dusk October 31. Later that night, the 85th’s remaining personnel made their way out of the line as units relieved them in the newly established front trench.

During its Passchendaele tour, the 85th suffered almost 400 casualties, its worst combat losses of the war. Owen was among the “other ranks” (OR) wounded during the fighting. Evacuated from the battlefield, he was admitted to No. 4 General Hospital, Camiers on November 3. Reported “dangerously ill” at the time of his arrival, Private Owen Delbert Somers died from the effects of a gunshot wound to the head on November 4, 1917 and was laid to rest in Étaples Military Cemetery, France.

Bantry Publishing’s “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume I: 1915 - 1917” contains a detailed description of Owen’s family background and military experience, along with profiles of 71 other Guysborough County soldiers and sailors who lost their lives during the first three years of Canadian overseas service.

Guysborough's "Passchendaele Boys"

In mid-October 1917, Canadian Corps units arrived in Belgium’s Ypres Salient and assumed responsibility for sectors of the line at the foot of Passchendaele Ridge. On October 26, 3rd and 4th Division units launched the first of a four-phase assault on the village of Passchendaele and its surrounding ridge. Two days later, fresh units entered the line and prepared for the second stage. On the morning of October 30, the battalions resumed the attack. Four Guysborough County soldiers were killed during the day’s fighting.


1. William Andrew “Will” Jordain was born at New Town, Guysborough County on June 6, 1890, the son of Caroline Gordon “Carrie” (Archibald) and Peter Jordain. Will enlisted with the 151st Battalion at Edmonton, AB on January 16, 1916. The unit crossed to England in early October 1916, but was disbanded shortly after arriving overseas.

Pte. William Andrew Jordain

On October 16, Will was transferred to the Canadian Machine Gun Corps’s training facility at Shorncliffe, England. After four months of training, he crossed the English Channel to France and was assigned to the 15th Canadian Machine Gun Company (CMGC) on February 8, 1917. The recently created unit spent almost two months training before its personnel entered the line near Neuville-Saint-Vaast on March 30 for its first “tour.”

Will’s unit participated in the Canadian Corps’ April 9 attack on Vimy Ridge and served in sectors near Lens, France throughout the spring and summer months. In mid-October, personnel made their way northward to Belgium, entering the line on October 28. The following day, the gunners completed preparations for their role in the second phase of the attack on Passchendaele Ridge.

As Canadian infantry units advanced toward their objectives at 5:50 a.m. October 30, Will and his mates commenced firing approximately 600,000 rounds of ammunition at German positions. In response, German artillery heavily shelled the Canadian line, in an effort to neutralize the machine gun barrage. According to its war diary, 15th CMGC’s positions “were heavily shelled throughout the day and night and casualties were heavy.”

Private Will Jordain was among the personnel killed during the day’s fighting. His remains were never recovered from the mud-strewn battlefield. Will’s name is engraved on the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium, one of more than 55,000 British and Imperial soldiers “lost without a trace during the defence of the Ypres Salient in the First World War.”


2. Albyn R. Smith was born at Saint Francis Harbour, Guysborough County on August 10, 1894. The identity of his parents remain a mystery. Sometime before 1901, Albyn was adopted by Charlotte and Jeffrey Pelrine, Larry’s River. On July 10, 1916, Albyn attested for service with the Composite Battalion at Halifax. At the time, he was was almost six feet tall and weighed 169 pounds, a sizeable lad for his day.

Pte. Albyn Smith (488357)—Menin Gate Inscription

In early August, Albyn departed for England, where he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on September 29. Eager to serve overseas, he soon “reverted to ranks” to hasten a transfer and was assigned to the 60th Battalion (Victoria Rifles of Canada, Montreal) on October 26. Albyn crossed the English Channel to France the following day and joined his new unit in the line on November 23.

Illness soon interrupted Albyn’s service in the line. On December 20, he was admitted to a field ambulance for treatment of pleurisy. Albyn rejoined the 60th’s ranks in early February 1917, by which time military authorities had decided to disband the unit, due to dwindling reinforcement numbers. While the soldiers participated in the Canadian Corps’ historic April 9, 1917 attack on Vimy Ridge, the 60th was disbanded before month’s end.

Albyn was part of a draft of 11 Officers and 225 OR transferred to the 5th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles (CMR), on April 30. He served with his new unit in sectors near Lens throughout the summer of 1917 and followed 5th CMR northward to Caëstre, France, near the Belgian border, in mid-October. One week later, the battalion travelled by train to Ypres and entered the line for its Passchendaele assignment on the evening of October 28.

A steady hail of artillery fire inflicted casualties as 5th CMR spent the following day preparing for combat. At 5:50 a.m. October 30, Albyn and his comrades went “over the top” toward the German line. In little more than two hours, all Companies achieved their objectives, but were subjected to enemy fire from both flanks throughout the morning as units on each side had failed to keep pace with their advance. Officers estimated casualties at approximately 300, while an afternoon report stated that the unit had lost 75 % of its trench strength of 590 “all ranks.”

On the night of October 31/November 1, 2nd Battalion CMR relieved 5th CMR in the trenches. As the unit retired from the line, the toll from its Passchendaele assignment was staggering. Seven of its Officers had been killed, 10 wounded and another 10 “wounded and missing.” Amongst its OR, 381 were killed, wounded or missing, while 14 wounded OR remained at duty.

Private Albyn Smith was one of the OR killed during the October 30 fighting. His remains were never recovered from the battlefield where he fell. Albyn’s name is inscribed on the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium, erected in honour of British and Imperial soldiers who died on the battlefields of Flanders and have no known grave.


3. Private Thomas William “Tommy” Waterhouse was born at Leeds, England on July 20, 1884. His mother, Caroline (Townson) Waterhouse, passed away in 1890, leaving Tommy in the care of his 20-year-old brother, Edward. While a local resident took Tommy into his home shortly after Caroline’s death, the arrangement ended five years later, at which time Tommy applied for admission to the Children’s Emigration Home, Birmingham.

Pte. Thomas William (Waterhouse) Suttis.

The charity accepted Tommy into its care and in 1896 arranged for Tommy to emigrate to Halifax, NS, where he was placed in a Fairview “receiving home” until he found an adoptive family. At the same time, David and Emma (Atwater) Suttis, an older, childless couple residing at Indian Harbour Lake, Guysborough County, were seeking a boy to help them with daily chores. An arrangement was quickly made and Tommy moved into the Suttis home.

As he grew into adulthood, Tommy went to work in the local fishery. While never formally adopted, he used the surname “Suttis” following his arrival in Indian Harbour Lake. When military recruiters visited Guysborough County in the spring of 1916, Tommy enlisted with the 193rd Battalion and spent the summer training at Camp Aldershot, near Kentville. In mid-October 1916, he crossed to England with the 193rd as part of the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade.

Upon arriving overseas, Tommy took the opportunity to visit family in Birmingham. Before year’s end, pressing demands for reinforcements in France led to the 193rd’s dissolution. On December 5, 1916, Tommy was transferred to the 42nd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) and crossed the English Channel the following day. Shortly after landing in France, however, he was temporarily attached to 3rd Entrenching Battalion. Tommy served with the work unit for almost two months, at which time he received a second transfer to the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) on February 24, 1917.

The Nova Scotia Highland Brigade’s senior unit, the 85th had arrived in France earlier in the month. Tommy joined their ranks at Gouy-Servins on March 5 and served with the unit at Vimy Ridge the following month. Assigned to the 4th Canadian Division’s 12th Brigade in late April, the unit completed tours in the Lens area throughout the summer of 1917. In mid-October, the battalion travelled northward to Staple, near the Belgian border, where its ranks trained in preparation for their Passchendaele assignment.

The 85th made its way to Ypres, Belgium on October 23 and five days later entered the trenches for its role in the second stage of the Canadian Corps’ Passchendaele operation. The 85th was located on the 12th Brigade’s extreme right flank, its objective to capture a cluster of fortified buildings called Vienna Cottage and establish a new defensive line approximately 600 yards from its jumping off trenches.

As Tommy and his mates went “over the top” toward their objective at 5:50 a.m. October 30, they immediately encountered a wall of enemy fire. The supporting artillery barrage in their sector was “light… little if any of it” striking German positions. Within minutes, a fierce fire-fight erupted in No Man’s Land, cutting down any soldier who dared to stand. When the three attacking Companies appeared to waver, a fourth Company waiting in reserve entered the fight. German resistance broke as the reinforcements reached their comrades and the battalion pushed on to its final objective, although casualties were “very heavy.”

The 85th remained in the line for almost 48 hours, its soldiers working to establish a new defensive position. By the time the unit retired on the night of October 31/November 1, the extent of its Passchendaele losses were staggering. A total of 12 Officers were killed and another later died of wounds, while seven others were seriously wounded in the fighting. Amongst its OR, the losses were similarly devastating—a total of 135 soldiers were killed and 243 wounded. The remains of 75 fallen 85th soldiers were never recovered from the battlefield.

Tommy was one of the fatalities buried somewhere beneath the Passchendaele battlefield. His name is engraved on the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium, erected in memory of the thousands of British and Imperial soldiers killed in the Ypres Salient during the First World War and who have no known final resting place.


4. Neil Cornelius David was born at Port Felix on June 6, 1896, the son of William Henry and Bridget (Bellefontaine) David. Neil enlisted with the 237th Battalion at Halifax, NS on August 1, 1916. One of several “American Legion” units recruited across the country, the battalion was disbanded shortly after Neil’s enlistment, at which time he was transferred to the 97th Battalion, another “American Legion” unit.

Pte. Neil David's Menin Gate Inscription.

The 97th departed for England on September 18 and was in turn dissolved shortly after its overseas arrival. On October 31, 1916, Neil was transferred to the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR)—Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Depot, Seaford. Neil spent the winter of 1916-17 in England and was assigned to the PPCLI on April 25, 1917. Two and a half weeks later, he joined the unit in France.

The PPCLI was the Canadian Corps’ most experienced unit, having arrived on the Western Front in late December 1914. Neil joined the battalion in the aftermath of its Vimy Ridge assignment and served with the “Patricias” in sectors near Lens throughout the summer months. On October 23, the battalion travelled northward by train to Ypres, Belgium, its soldiers spending the night amongst the ruins, where they endured considerable aerial bombardment.

On the afternoon of October 28, the PPCLI commenced the journey into the front trenches facing Passchendaele Ridge. At 5:50 a.m. October 30, its 28 Officers and 600 OR advanced toward their objective—the village of Metcheele and its surrounding high ground—making steady progress throughout the early morning hours. By mid-morning, however, the unit had suffered considerable casualties and urgently requested reinforcements. In response, four RCR platoons moved forward and assisted the unit in establishing a new defensive line in front of the village of Metcheele by early afternoon.

When the unit withdrew from the line on the night of October 31/November 1, only 245 of its soldiers remained at duty. Nine Officers were killed, 10 wounded and one gassed during the tour, while 93 of its OR were killed, 199 wounded and 38 missing. The battalion suffered a staggering total of 354 casualties “all ranks” at Passchendaele.

Private Neil David was initially reported “missing in action… last seen as he was leaving the ‘jumping off’ trench in the [October 30] attack.” Struck of the unit’s strength three days after its withdrawal from the line, Neil was officially reported “killed in action” four months later. No information ever surfaced as to the circumstances in which he died.

As with so many of his Passchendaele comrades, Neil’s remains were never recovered from the battlefield. His name is inscribed on the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium, erected as a memorial to the thousands of soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient and whose bodies were never recovered.

Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium.

*****

Bantry Publishing’s First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia Volume I: 1915 - 1917 contains detailed summaries of the above four Passchendaele soldiers’ family background and military experience, along with profiles of 68 other Guysborough County soldiers who died during the first three years of Canadian overseas service.