William Inglis
Personal History
There was a huge surge of enlistments in early 1916. In the first two months, 35 men from Port Dalhousie, ranging in age from 17-40, stepped forward to become soldiers. On January 26, William Inglis, along with five others, signed his Attestation Paper. Many from this group, nine in total from Port, were assigned to 3rd Brigade CFA 9th Howitzer Battery.
But first, William Inglis. One of 13 children, he was the oldest son of William (Willie) Inglis and Marianne McLean Inglis. He was born Glasgow, but they lived in Edinburgh before emigrating to Canada in three waves in 1911. William, who was first to emigrate in April, sailed on the SS Numidian, followed by his father and oldest sister Aggie (Agnes) in July on the Megantic. His mother followed in December on the Empress of Britain with seven kids in tow, ages 3, 5, 6, 9, 11 and 17. She deserves a medal.
Many on the roster of Port Dalhousie enlistments gave their occupations as shoemaker or rubber boot maker. But Willie Inglis was a cobbler who soon set up a shoe repair shop on Front St. alongside the waterfront of the old canal. With sailors coming and going, and plenty of places to get a drink, one can imagine the rough and tumble environment there. A family story tells of "Willie getting bonked on the head and robbed by sailors,......a few times." In his 'spare time' Willie built a house at 9 Church St. where the family lived for the next five generations. An oval portrait of William hung in the hallway, keeping his memory alive.
William worked as a cobbler with his father. The photo below shows the interior of their shoe repair with Willie and William's youngest brother George (Spud), who was born on Queen St. in Port Dalhousie in 1913.
Personal History
There was a huge surge of enlistments in early 1916. In the first two months, 35 men from Port Dalhousie, ranging in age from 17-40, stepped forward to become soldiers. On January 26, William Inglis, along with five others, signed his Attestation Paper. Many from this group, nine in total from Port, were assigned to 3rd Brigade CFA 9th Howitzer Battery.
But first, William Inglis. One of 13 children, he was the oldest son of William (Willie) Inglis and Marianne McLean Inglis. He was born Glasgow, but they lived in Edinburgh before emigrating to Canada in three waves in 1911. William, who was first to emigrate in April, sailed on the SS Numidian, followed by his father and oldest sister Aggie (Agnes) in July on the Megantic. His mother followed in December on the Empress of Britain with seven kids in tow, ages 3, 5, 6, 9, 11 and 17. She deserves a medal.
Many on the roster of Port Dalhousie enlistments gave their occupations as shoemaker or rubber boot maker. But Willie Inglis was a cobbler who soon set up a shoe repair shop on Front St. alongside the waterfront of the old canal. With sailors coming and going, and plenty of places to get a drink, one can imagine the rough and tumble environment there. A family story tells of "Willie getting bonked on the head and robbed by sailors,......a few times." In his 'spare time' Willie built a house at 9 Church St. where the family lived for the next five generations. An oval portrait of William hung in the hallway, keeping his memory alive.
William worked as a cobbler with his father. The photo below shows the interior of their shoe repair with Willie and William's youngest brother George (Spud), who was born on Queen St. in Port Dalhousie in 1913.
The contingent of ten men from Port Dalhousie assigned to the 9th Battery had many things in common. Four of them signed on the same day, five were born in Port and would have known each other 'forever,' and three were recently from Scotland and may well have been acquainted back home. One of them, D Mackie was married to William Inglis' sister Aggie. Some would have known each other from church or sports teams
such as the Maple Leaf Football Club, sponsored by the Rubber Factory. They would have trained at Petawawa together, and sailed on the same ship, the S.S. Cameronia, arriving in England on Sept 22 1916; a formidable experience in itself. These men are:
Charles Brooks ALBERT CLARK
Arthur Coons James Doig
WILLIAM INGLIS Dorcy Lynch
Thomas McLanachan David Mackie
Thos. Clyde Paxton Philip Rooney
While they were training at a base near Gosport, Hampshire in late 1916, William Inglis and a mate had their photo taken and mounted on the postcard shown below. The other man may be one of the above and any help in identifying him would be most welcome. He may also be Irvine Cosby (#317883) who was the fiance of one of William's other sisters, Margaret. He survived the war, only to contract the flu in Feb. 1918 and succumbed to bronchial pneumonia in early March. He is buried at Huy Lasarte Communal Cemetery in Belgium. Margaret worked at the rubber factory, which she always called "the gutta percha" and lived to age 94. She never married.
such as the Maple Leaf Football Club, sponsored by the Rubber Factory. They would have trained at Petawawa together, and sailed on the same ship, the S.S. Cameronia, arriving in England on Sept 22 1916; a formidable experience in itself. These men are:
Charles Brooks ALBERT CLARK
Arthur Coons James Doig
WILLIAM INGLIS Dorcy Lynch
Thomas McLanachan David Mackie
Thos. Clyde Paxton Philip Rooney
While they were training at a base near Gosport, Hampshire in late 1916, William Inglis and a mate had their photo taken and mounted on the postcard shown below. The other man may be one of the above and any help in identifying him would be most welcome. He may also be Irvine Cosby (#317883) who was the fiance of one of William's other sisters, Margaret. He survived the war, only to contract the flu in Feb. 1918 and succumbed to bronchial pneumonia in early March. He is buried at Huy Lasarte Communal Cemetery in Belgium. Margaret worked at the rubber factory, which she always called "the gutta percha" and lived to age 94. She never married.
One year after enlisting, they were at Witley Camp in Surrey, south of London, moved to Milford in mid-March
and by the 18th of March they were in the field in France. Five days later, the order came down to prepare for the assault on Vimy Ridge. Canada's biggest battle would be their first, and they were well trained to carry out their role.
In a howitzer battery they were given daily programs for the destruction of earthworks or portions of trenches which had to be carefully ranged on and targeted. The task was carried out each day and they fired 800 to 1000 rounds on average. It was not incessant; they had broken periods during the day. It took 12 men to man an 8-inch howitzer, the shell of which weighed 200 pounds. The matter of manpower and the preservation of manpower, necessitated careful reliefs which took place about every four hours.
The field artillery was used to destroy enemy ammunition dumps and to cut the wire in No Man's Land, endeavouring to create paths for the advancing infantry at zero hour. Although the assault took place on April 9, 1917, by April 4 the guns were already involved in consistent heavy shelling of enemy back country throughout each day. Their assigned daily ordinance shows how busy they would have been: 120 rounds for harassing fire and prevention of enemy repairs, 300 for the destruction of two German trenches, and 1000 rounds for night firing.
After zero hour at 5:30 am on April 9, the trenches were bridged as the infantry advanced, and the guns were brought into forward positions by 4:30 pm, "until," as the War Diary says, "night passed uneventfully."
On the following day every effort was concentrated on the hauling of arms to the new gun positions.......
Until late October, the unit was engaged in the Vimy vicinity with continuous interchanges with the enemy. In that time they had only 12 days away from the front. It is interesting to note that the fighting at Vimy was still active seven months after the initial attack.
Some brief excerpts from the 3rd Brigade CFA War Diary can only suggest what experiences these men endured together during this period.
June 4 - ordered to new position near Vimy. During the clear night, while the 9th Battery waited to move
out, bombed by enemy aircraft, killing 6 men.
5 - bombarded and destroyed German positions, taking 120 prisoners and gaining 600 yards.
July 4 - interesting comment about USA, who had waited until April 4th, a few days before Vimy to declare
war. "Independence Day and at last. The Americans are showing that the word 'Liberty' means
something." The small triangle in which the Brigade rested....heavily shelled during the night.
20 - Enemy aircraft and balloons....much aerial activity....hostile machine dropped a heavy bomb....two
enemy planes brought down....Neuville St. Vaast balloon in flames....Souchez balloon brought down
by high velocity gun....Vimy heavily shelled.
Aug 4 - Preparation begins for the taking of Hill 70. Dull wet weather. Daily exchange of shelling, gas
attacks.
15 - 4:25 am. Attack of Hill 70. Heavy rain during the day.
31 - Enemy exceptionally quiet, until 11:00 that night, when the enemy bombarded our brigade front.
9th and 10th Battery retaliated with 160 rounds.
Sept 1 - Low ground mist prevailed, eventually turning to rain. 9th often called on to bombard enemy
positions identified by infantry. Praised for accuracy and success. Positions silenced.
22 - Brigade out of action at wagon lines near Albain St. Nazaire. There are several good canteens
nearby and (moving) picture shows at the Chateau de la Haie and in Gouy-Servins, which are
patronized by the men
27 - Heavy fighting both sides. Total expenditure: 2062 rounds.
Oct 9 - Order to prepare to move to the north.
15 - No stops for rest or water due to heavy traffic on the road. Arrived Poperhinge and immediately
started working on standings for the horses and billets for personnel among the ruins. Order to
relieve the 3rd Imperial Division in the line.
They were now in Belgium to reinforce Sir Douglas Haig's assault of Passchendaele. The battle had begun
nearly three months before, on July 31, and the countryside was inundated with the heaviest rainfall in 30 years.
16 - Our battery position has been shelled continuously day and night and several casualties have
resulted. Owing to lack of suitable material, the swampy ground and the heavy shelling, it's
practically impossible to do anything towards providing bomb-proof shelter for the personnel or
even splinter-proof cover for the guns. This is without doubt the worst position the brigade has
ever been in. There is absolutely no cover for the men within several hundred yards. But the boys
are carrying on despite the conditions.
18 - Weather cold and wet. It has proved almost impossible for a man to handle two animals in the
mud and shellfire. Packing for the day usually commences about 4 am and continues throughout
the day until dark...as the demand for ammunition determines.
Thomas Paxton among six wounded from 9th Battery.
19 - Arthur Coons wounded.
21 - William Inglis wounded.
His casualty report below describes the details of the incident:
and by the 18th of March they were in the field in France. Five days later, the order came down to prepare for the assault on Vimy Ridge. Canada's biggest battle would be their first, and they were well trained to carry out their role.
In a howitzer battery they were given daily programs for the destruction of earthworks or portions of trenches which had to be carefully ranged on and targeted. The task was carried out each day and they fired 800 to 1000 rounds on average. It was not incessant; they had broken periods during the day. It took 12 men to man an 8-inch howitzer, the shell of which weighed 200 pounds. The matter of manpower and the preservation of manpower, necessitated careful reliefs which took place about every four hours.
The field artillery was used to destroy enemy ammunition dumps and to cut the wire in No Man's Land, endeavouring to create paths for the advancing infantry at zero hour. Although the assault took place on April 9, 1917, by April 4 the guns were already involved in consistent heavy shelling of enemy back country throughout each day. Their assigned daily ordinance shows how busy they would have been: 120 rounds for harassing fire and prevention of enemy repairs, 300 for the destruction of two German trenches, and 1000 rounds for night firing.
After zero hour at 5:30 am on April 9, the trenches were bridged as the infantry advanced, and the guns were brought into forward positions by 4:30 pm, "until," as the War Diary says, "night passed uneventfully."
On the following day every effort was concentrated on the hauling of arms to the new gun positions.......
Until late October, the unit was engaged in the Vimy vicinity with continuous interchanges with the enemy. In that time they had only 12 days away from the front. It is interesting to note that the fighting at Vimy was still active seven months after the initial attack.
Some brief excerpts from the 3rd Brigade CFA War Diary can only suggest what experiences these men endured together during this period.
June 4 - ordered to new position near Vimy. During the clear night, while the 9th Battery waited to move
out, bombed by enemy aircraft, killing 6 men.
5 - bombarded and destroyed German positions, taking 120 prisoners and gaining 600 yards.
July 4 - interesting comment about USA, who had waited until April 4th, a few days before Vimy to declare
war. "Independence Day and at last. The Americans are showing that the word 'Liberty' means
something." The small triangle in which the Brigade rested....heavily shelled during the night.
20 - Enemy aircraft and balloons....much aerial activity....hostile machine dropped a heavy bomb....two
enemy planes brought down....Neuville St. Vaast balloon in flames....Souchez balloon brought down
by high velocity gun....Vimy heavily shelled.
Aug 4 - Preparation begins for the taking of Hill 70. Dull wet weather. Daily exchange of shelling, gas
attacks.
15 - 4:25 am. Attack of Hill 70. Heavy rain during the day.
31 - Enemy exceptionally quiet, until 11:00 that night, when the enemy bombarded our brigade front.
9th and 10th Battery retaliated with 160 rounds.
Sept 1 - Low ground mist prevailed, eventually turning to rain. 9th often called on to bombard enemy
positions identified by infantry. Praised for accuracy and success. Positions silenced.
22 - Brigade out of action at wagon lines near Albain St. Nazaire. There are several good canteens
nearby and (moving) picture shows at the Chateau de la Haie and in Gouy-Servins, which are
patronized by the men
27 - Heavy fighting both sides. Total expenditure: 2062 rounds.
Oct 9 - Order to prepare to move to the north.
15 - No stops for rest or water due to heavy traffic on the road. Arrived Poperhinge and immediately
started working on standings for the horses and billets for personnel among the ruins. Order to
relieve the 3rd Imperial Division in the line.
They were now in Belgium to reinforce Sir Douglas Haig's assault of Passchendaele. The battle had begun
nearly three months before, on July 31, and the countryside was inundated with the heaviest rainfall in 30 years.
16 - Our battery position has been shelled continuously day and night and several casualties have
resulted. Owing to lack of suitable material, the swampy ground and the heavy shelling, it's
practically impossible to do anything towards providing bomb-proof shelter for the personnel or
even splinter-proof cover for the guns. This is without doubt the worst position the brigade has
ever been in. There is absolutely no cover for the men within several hundred yards. But the boys
are carrying on despite the conditions.
18 - Weather cold and wet. It has proved almost impossible for a man to handle two animals in the
mud and shellfire. Packing for the day usually commences about 4 am and continues throughout
the day until dark...as the demand for ammunition determines.
Thomas Paxton among six wounded from 9th Battery.
19 - Arthur Coons wounded.
21 - William Inglis wounded.
His casualty report below describes the details of the incident:
The next day the Diary shows the weariness of war: Cold and wet from midnight to 7 am. Nothing special to report except the number of casualties.....
The medal below was presented to the family:
The medal below was presented to the family:
This detailed profile of uncle William and his family would not have been possible without the research and contribution of information and artifacts by his niece Dorene Inglis, a friend from Port Dalhousie school days. More of her contributions can be seen here.
Footnote to 9th Battery: The Port Dalhousie recruits in the 9th Battery continued to serve until the end of the war. The remaining group all returned from Europe with the exception of Albert Clark, who died on November 2, 1918, nine days before the Armistice.
Click here to view Thomas McLanachan's Diary of Personnel, 9th Battery - Canadian Field Artillery . www.rutherfordium.com/WW1/BattlesRoleBook/WWI-9thBatteryCanadianFieldArtilery.pdf
This unique handwritten document is a record of all 630 recruits who served in the 9th Battery from 1914 to 1918 and is the source of the ten men from Port listed above. It was contributed by Scott Daniels, who is the great nephew of Thomas McLanachan-#317948 and grandson of Henry Thomas Daniels-#317888. It is noteworthy that Henry Daniels lied about his age and enlisted at the age of 16. The fact that he was 6'1" and 160 lbs. may have helped to fool the authorities. One hundred years later his grandson Scott still wonders at his anxiousness to go to war. Although all the men who enlisted before conscription and the Military Service Act in August 1917 were volunteers, Henry Daniels appears to have been the most eager of all.
Both men returned from the battlefields to live out their days on Queen St., Port Dalhousie.
This unique handwritten document is a record of all 630 recruits who served in the 9th Battery from 1914 to 1918 and is the source of the ten men from Port listed above. It was contributed by Scott Daniels, who is the great nephew of Thomas McLanachan-#317948 and grandson of Henry Thomas Daniels-#317888. It is noteworthy that Henry Daniels lied about his age and enlisted at the age of 16. The fact that he was 6'1" and 160 lbs. may have helped to fool the authorities. One hundred years later his grandson Scott still wonders at his anxiousness to go to war. Although all the men who enlisted before conscription and the Military Service Act in August 1917 were volunteers, Henry Daniels appears to have been the most eager of all.
Both men returned from the battlefields to live out their days on Queen St., Port Dalhousie.
Personal Information
Birth date: May 31, 1891
Birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland
Father: William Inglis, Port Dalhousie
Occupation: Cobbler
Census of Canada Details: 1911
Military Information
Service Number: 317920
Rank: Pte.
Regiment: 3rd Battalion, Can. Field Artillery
Theater of Service: Western Front: Vimy and Ypres
Date of Death: Oct 21 1917
Age: 26
Length of Service: 1 year 9 months
Last Battle: Passchendaele
Burial Details: Nine Elms Br. Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium
Grave Reference: VI D 7
Commemorations: Commemorated on Page 261 in the Book of Remembrance
Photos: Cemetery
Cenotaph
Personal Information
Birth date: May 31, 1891
Birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland
Father: William Inglis, Port Dalhousie
Occupation: Cobbler
Census of Canada Details: 1911
Military Information
Service Number: 317920
Rank: Pte.
Regiment: 3rd Battalion, Can. Field Artillery
Theater of Service: Western Front: Vimy and Ypres
Date of Death: Oct 21 1917
Age: 26
Length of Service: 1 year 9 months
Last Battle: Passchendaele
Burial Details: Nine Elms Br. Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium
Grave Reference: VI D 7
Commemorations: Commemorated on Page 261 in the Book of Remembrance
Photos: Cemetery
Cenotaph