Thursday, May 6, 1915
In billets, Bailleul (Nouveau Monde)
The Battalion War Diarist wrote for this day: “All ranks rapidly recovering from the strain and fatigue of the last two weeks. Men beginning to organize sports”. [1]
THIS DAY IN RMR HISTORY: “Brockville, May 5. – H. S. Dupuy, Manager of the Bank of Montreal here, was notified by the Department at Ottawa that his son, Private H. L. Dupuy, a member of the 14th Battalion, had been killed in action in Belgium. He was attached to the Royal Montreal Regiment.” [3]
Private Harry Leonce Dupuy, No. 25947, born at Montreal on Oct 24th, 1886, was an accountant by vocation. He signed his enlistment papers at Valcartier on September 21st 1914, having previously served for a year with the 24th Kent Regiment in the U.K. “During an action in the vicinity of St. Jean, whilst returning to the reserve trenches, he was struck by enemy shrapnel and killed instantly” [4] on April 26th 1915, aged 28 yrs. 6 mos.
“(Special to The Gazette. Ottawa, May 6. – That the Strathcona Horse, the Royal Canadian Dragoons and the King Edward Horse have crossed from England to France to fight in the trenches as part of Fourth Infantry Brigade of the Canadian contingent is the understanding here. The force thus added to the 4th Brigade will be about 1,800 strong. The Strathcona Horse numbers about 600 men, one squadron from Winnipeg and the other two raised from a number of units at Valcartier. It is commanded by Col. A.C. MacDonnell, DSC, of Winnipeg, and Major E.F. Mackie, DSO, is second in command. The Royal Canadian Dragoons are drawn from Toronto and St. Johns, Que., and are also about 600 strong. It is commanded by Col. Ellis of Toronto, while Major J.H. Elmsley of Toronto is second in command.
The King Edward Horse is composed of Britishers and Colonials now resident in England. The force is to be commanded by Brigadier-General Seely, former Secretary of State for War. Rumor further intimates that the three cavalry regiments have all been most eager to join the infantry in the trenches. Their action has excited commendation. No decision has yet been arrived at as to the disposition of the cavalry units which have been raised in Canada, but if they desire to go to the front as infantry they will be accommodated.” [6]
[1] War Diary, 14th Canadian Battalion, The Royal Montreal Regiment, May 6, 1915. Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001089731.jpg
[2] “Word of Canadians Who Fell in Battle,” The Globe (1844-1936), Toronto, Ontario, Thursday, May 06 1915, pg. 3, col. 3.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War, Library and Archives Canada, http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/mass-digitized-archives/circumstances-death-registers/Pages/item.aspx?PageID=27437
[5] “Cavalry to Fight in the Trenches,” The Gazette, Montreal, Quebec, May 7, 1915, pg.1, col.6.
[6] Ibid.