Remembering Private Martin Joseph Fogarty—Died of Sickness December 25, 1918

Martin Joseph Fogerty was born at Fox Island, Guysborough County, in November 1901, the seventh of Joseph and Catherine (Daley) Fogarty’s nine children and the youngest of their three sons. Joseph died of tuberculosis on November 21, 1907, leaving Catherine to care for several dependent children. Fortunately, her parents, Michael and Ann Daley, resided nearby and provided assistance. Tragically, Catherine also fell ill with tuberculosis during the winter of 1915-16 and passed away on April 4, 1916. Following her death, Michael and Ann took the four youngest Fogarty children into their home.

During the First World War, soldiers were a common sight in the Canso area. Two militia regiments—78th (Pictou Highlanders) and 94th Victoria (Argyll Highlanders)—established detachments in the town and guarded several local strategic locations. Their presence caught the attention of Canso’s young men, particularly those who were not yet old enough to enlist for overseas service.

The two elder Fogarty brothers—Ambrose and Vincent—joined the 94th’s ranks in October 1917. Two months later, their younger brother, Martin—one month shy of his 16th birthday—joined them in uniform. The trio served in the Canso area until late June 1918, at which time they attested for overseas service. While they were assigned to the 6th Battalion, Canadian Garrison Regiment shortly afterward, the brothers remained in the Canso area for the time being.

Within weeks of his attestation, Vincent fell ill and was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Discharged as medically unfit in mid-September, he was admitted to the Nova Scotia Sanatorium, Kentville, before month’s end. Meanwhile, Ambrose and Martin continued their military service. In mid-December, the brothers were transferred to “F” Company, 6th Battalion, Canadian Garrison Regiment, and made their way to Halifax for duty.

Within days of arriving in the city, Martin became sick and was admitted to Cogswell St. Military Hospital on December 22 for treatment of influenza and pneumonia. Medical records stated that Martin was “almost unconscious” at the time of his admission and was immediately “placed on [the] danger list on sight.”

Diagnosed with bronchopneumonia, Martin’s health rapidly declined. Private Martin Joseph Fogarty died in hospital on December 25, 1918. His remains were transported to Canso, where Martin was laid to rest in Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Cemetery.  One month after Martin’s passing, Ambrose became ill and was admitted to hospital with influenza. While he remained under medical care for almost three months, Ambrose gradually recovered and was discharged from hospital in mid-April 1919.

Martin’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 .

Remembering Private Lester Dean Hodgson—Died of Sickness December 23, 1918

Lester Dean Hodgson was born at Goldboro, Guysborough County, on August 28, 1896, the youngest of Hiram and Elizabeth (Reynolds) Hodgson’s four children. Lester’s older sister, Stella, married Otho Lee “Arthur” Charles, a native of Stowe, ME, at Goldboro on October 3, 1911. The newlyweds established residence at Ipswich, MA.

Four years later, Hiram and Elizabeth parted ways. While Hiram remained in Nova Scotia, Elizabeth and her two youngest children, James Carlyle and Lester, relocated to South Hamilton, MA, close to Arthur and Stella’s home. While the young men quickly found work in their new community, the war raging overseas soon disrupted their civilian lives.

Following the United States’ April 6, 1917 declaration of war on Germany, the American government introduced compulsory military service. On June 5, 1917, James registered for the draft at Wenham, MA. As a British subject, however, he chose to serve with the Royal Navy’s Inland Waterways & Docks Corps (Transportation Branch),formally joining the Corps at Sandwich, MA, on February 21, 1918.

One year later, Lester registered for the draft at Beverly, MA, on June 5, 1918, As with his brother, he exercised his right to serve with a British Imperial unit. After completing the required documents and medical examination, Lester enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Boston, MA, on October 14, 1918 and departed for Canada.

One week later, Lester arrived at Halifax and proceeded to Camp Aldershot, near Kentville, NS, where he commenced training with the 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment. As the war in Europe was entering its final stages, the prospects for overseas service were slim. Following the November 11 Armistice, many of the Camp Aldershot soldiers were dispersed to other units.

On December 3, Lester was assigned to the 6th Battalion, Canadian Garrison Regiment, Halifax. Within days of his transfer, he fell ill and was admitted to Cogswell St. Military Hospital, Halifax, on December 12, suffering from a combination of influenza and pneumonia. While his temperature and heart rate were initially quite elevated, Lester’s condition improved by mid-month. Within several days, however, his symptoms returned and by December 21 staff reported the first instance of “delirium.”

On the morning of December 23, 1918, medical notes initially described Lester’s circumstances as “somewhat better.” By early afternoon, however, his condition worsened rapidly and he passed away shortly after 3:20 p.m. Private Lester Dean Hodgson’s remains were transported to Goldboro, where he was laid to rest in Bay View Cemetery.

Pte. Lester Hodgson's headstone, Bay View Cemetery, Goldboro, NS

Lester’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 .

Remembering Private John J. Rabbie—Died of Sickness December 15, 1918

John J. Rabbie was born at Hazel Hill, Guysborough County, on September 18, 1899, the second of George and Elizabeth “Lizzy” (Barrie) Rabbie’s six children and the eldest of their four sons. John spent his adolescent years in a community where the presence of soldiers was a daily occurrence. Throughout the First World War, personnel from the 94th Victoria Regiment (Argyll Highlanders) and 78th Regiment (Pictou Highlanders) guarded strategic locations in and around Canso.

Perhaps inspired by their daily activities, John enlisted with the 94th Victoria Regiment during the summer of 1917. After 11 month’s service in the Canso area, he attested with the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Canso on June 29, 1918. Shortly afterward, John made his way to Halifax, where he was assigned to “F” Company, 6th Battalion, Canadian Garrison Regiment. He was less than three months shy of his 19th birthday at the time.

Under the terms of his attestation, John’s military service would continue for six months after the signing of the November 11, 1918 Armistice. As autumn gave way to winter, the damp, crowded conditions at the Halifax barracks became a breeding ground for sickness. The situation was further complicated by the rapid spread of the deadly “Spanish flu,” carried to ports around the world by vessels arriving from Europe.

On November 30, John was admitted to the Cogswell St. Military Hospital with influenza and a suspected case of pleurisy. Medical records indicate that his body temperature was 101.6 degrees Fahrenheit (38.7 Celsius) and his heart beat an alarming 127 beats per minute at the time of his admission.

During the ensuing days, John’s condition did not improve. A December 10 laboratory report indicated the presence of streptococcal bacteria in his lungs. Three days later, a note in his medical file stated: “Patient very toxic, rapid pulse, feeble breathing.”

Pte. John J. Rabbie's headstone, Mount Olivet Cemetery, Halifax, NS

While John showed slight improvement the following day, his condition worsened dramatically on the morning of December 15 and he passed away at 1:00 p.m. that afternoon. Private John J. Rabbie was laid to rest in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mumford Road, Halifax, NS. John was 19 years and three months old at the time of his passing.

John’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 .