Voices of the War: Letters from 1917

By this time 100 years ago, the First World War had been raging for nearly three years. Canada was a huge part of the war effort, whether on the front or at home. The Archives has many records relating to the Great War. This week’s blog features a handful of them from 1917.

The war touched many lives, and Archbishop McNeil was not immune. His 30-year-old nephew, Tom, spent a great deal of time overseas and periodically wrote his uncle.

In the Field

Oct. 24th, 1917

Dear Uncle:

Have been putting off writing you from month to month.

Thought you would be more or less interested in my whereabouts.

Cannot possibally (sic) write a letter of any interest from the field but as soon as I go to England I will write you a good letter.

I am in my third year in the field and I am planning on going home on leave should this war last any longer than the spring.

We are advancing every day now and the oppinion (sic) on this front is that the actual fighting will be over in March .18.

Up to the present I have been on all parts of the Western Front. When we came to France first early in .15, we were continually bombed by the enemies[’] planes. Some wonderful change now. Where any work or move was on the enemy planes were always overhead. Now we do not see an average of 1 plane a day from the other side.

Cannot write any of my account as the censor rules are very strict.

I am enclosing a cheque. Very sorry same was so long delayed. Do hope you will pardon me.

Hoping you are in good health and taking good care of your-self.

Your fond nephew

Tom

MN AA03.35
Archbishop McNeil fonds

Archbishop McNeil also knew priests who served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). Fr. Julius Pirot wrote this letter to McNeil about his duties at a hospital in France and a charming account of the soldiers’ reactions after battle. Pirot also mentioned sunken hospital ships. By the time this letter was written at the end of April 1917, ten British hospital ships had been sunk during the war, almost all of them torpedoed by German U-boats. As McNeil's nephew indicated in his letter above, censors were very strict about what information could be shared. Evidence of this can be seen in Pirot's letter, where parts have been scratched off or cut out (and subsequently fixed by an ARCAT archivist).

In France, April 27th, 1917

Your Grace,

I must let you know that I am still alive. Indeed, thanks God, I am always well and happy in my work. I spent three months at the camp of Shornecliffe, and was sent here on the 5th of March. The work is practically the same everywhere. I am now in charge of a Canadian hospital and of an Imperial camp. There are about 700 Catholics in the camp and 50-70 in the hospital. Of course the patients just pass through in their way to England. You have heard that some of our Hospital-ships were sunk, what’s certainly an awful thing. Is this the end of the world? God only knows what we are going to see this year. [censored] Nevertheless our boys are wonderful. You should see them after a battle! When they arrived here from Vimy, a noisy joy filled the hospital. They were proud, of course! and how dirty! And they fell in the cots, and it was too sweet for anything to hear them snoring! One cannot help loving them dearly, for it is a fact that the fire of battle purifies their hearts and spirits. I never heard any of them complaining. And they’re so glad to see the priest! – I have my billet at the parish-house, but we board at the hospital. In this part of France, one fourth of the people go to church. The others are indifferent. War did not improve them very much. Poor France! She has not suffered enough yet; but the Catholics here have no courage: they let the others do as they like, and the others, laughing at them, continue to destroy the Church. [censored] 

I hope that Your Grace is enjoying good health. Toronto must be very nice by this time with her great display of tulips. In France we have no flowers yet; spring is very late, and it is cold. “no bonne” say the soldiers; and they know what that means in the trenches!

Please Your Grace pray for us

J. Pirot

Chaplain C.F.

No. 2 Stationary Canadian Hospital, France

FW CS01.26
First World War fonds

People often asked the Archbishop for prayers or comfort or help. Understandably, wartime increased these occurrences, as people had more reason to be concerned about their loved ones.

Vancouver, B.C.

June 5th, 1917

Your Grace:

My son Gerald has joined the Royal Flying Corps and leaves for Toronto on Thursday of this week to do his little bit for his country.  I have given him a letter of introduction to you and Mrs. Barry and myself would take it as a great honor and favour if you would take a little interest in him.

We have never had one anxious moment about him, and now that he is a man we feel that his habits are well formed and that he has strength of will to take care of himself; yet this being the first time he will be away from us for any length of time we would like you to have your fatherly eye on him.

Thanking you in anticipation for any trouble we may be putting you to. I beg to sign myself on behalf of Mrs. Barry and myself

Yours faithfully

J. F. Barry

MN AH06.85

Archbishop McNeil fonds

More than anything, Gilbert A. Sim, a gunner in the CEF, wanted to be a chaplain. He wrote multiple letters to Archbishop McNeil from 1915 to 1917, hoping that McNeil would help him in that regard. In Sim's last letter to McNeil, which is written in a booklet measuring just 14 x 8.5 cm (5.5 x 3.25 in), Sim listed the many battles he took part in and again expressed his desire to be a chaplain. 

304354

Heavy T.M. Battery

3 Division Canadian

France

Dec. 1917

My Lord Archbishop

I beg to wish Your Grace a very Happy New Year, and also to mention a subject which is very much on my mind.

Your Grace knows very well under what conditions I enlisted and I have now been in the Army over two years, the best part of that time having been spent in France and Flanders in the front line.

I was in action at the third battle of Ypres, the second Battle of the Somme, Causalette (sic) [Courcelette] and the taking of Beaumont Hamel, the Battle of Arras and the storming of Vimy Ridge, and lastly in the hard fighting in Belgium which included the taking of Passhendale (sic). I have endeavoured all through this to be true to my beautiful Faith and to my calling as a Cleric, and I feel that I can now approach Your Grace as to my future.

I had intended to apply for a Commission but have been advised by Chaplains, many of whom I know, to write first to you, to see if it would be possible for Your Grace to procure for me a discharge that I might be enabled to continue my training for the Priesthood, for which end I have already devoted so many years of my life.

I might then be able to return to the Army with the only Commission for which I really long and for which I think I should be most suited. Your Grace already has my papers previous to my enlistment. With regard to my military record I can refer to my Commanding officer Captain Bennett, M.C.

Begging a blessing 

I have the Honour to be

My Lord Archbishop

Yours most respectfully

Gilbert A. Sim, C.F.A. [Canadian Field Artillery]

FW GC02.12
First World War fonds

In order to deal with requests such as Gilbert Sim’s, Archbishop McNeil may have referred to the statement from the Office of Militia and Defence sent to him by Col. Charles F. Winter, Military Secretary of the Militia, which explained methods of dealing with personal requests concerning soldiers serving overseas in the CEF. Requests included promotions, commissions, leave or discharge, and return to Canada.

Letter from Charles F. Winter to Abp. McNeil,
Feb. 1917

FW CS01.23
First World War fonds

Memorandum Regarding Methods of Dealing with Personal Requests Concerning Soldiers Serving Overseas
with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 
Feb. 1, 1917

FW CS01.23
First World War fonds

During the war, life changed dramatically both overseas and at home. Fr. Melville D. Staley wrote Archbishop McNeil about the shortage and high cost of food in France and also noted that he had received a shipment of socks for the soldiers. 

No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital

B.E.H.

France

July 2nd/17

Your Grace,

I write to advise you that I have left England and am now located at the above address. God has blessed me with good health enabling me to carry on my work quite alright. Food is very dear here and suffering and misery from the war is plainly evident on all sides, but one cannot help it but admire the spirit of the people. I see in a shop window melons, small ones, at twenty francs a piece which will give you an idea of the price of foodstuffs which varies accordingly.

I received not long ago a very nice consignment of home made socks from Our Lady of Lourdes Patriotic Association. It was indeed a great gift and the soldiers appreciated them very much. I have brought a few I had left with me.

Remember me kindly in your pious prayers and with every good wish. I remain

Your obedient servant

Fr. M. D. Staley

FW CS01.32
First World War fonds

Sending food and items of clothing were just two of the myriad ways in which Canada contributed to the war effort. This booklet briefly details all aspects of Canada’s role in the war up to March 1917. Its sections cover departmental war activities, economic effects, the nickel problem, the Ross rifle, and preparations for after the war. More specific topics – including equipment, censorship, and the work of Canadian women to establish Canadian hospitals overseas – are also described.

Canada's Effort in the Great War to March, 1917

FW WE01.33
First World War fonds

The booklet contains a list of contributions in kind, such as food, clothing, bedding, games and so on. The numbers are remarkable, and they continued to increase as the war progressed.

Canada's Effort in the Great War to March, 1917,
pp. 77 and 78


FW WE01.33
First World War fonds

For most of us, it is impossible to grasp the hardships that soldiers, their families, and their communities had to endure throughout the First World War. As archbishop, McNeil would have had the challenge of dealing with requests from individuals across the country and overseas while thinking about his own friends, colleagues, and family members who had joined the fight. The records highlighted here, as well as many others in ARCAT's collection, bring personal war stories to life and further remind us to be thankful for those people we hold dear.

Record of the Week: A letter from the firing line

Today is Remembrance Day and we have chosen a record from the First World War to commemorate 100 years since the beginning of that great conflict.

ARCAT has a series of letters written to Archbishop Neil McNeil from a Toronto soldier with the 3rd Division of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. Gunner Gilbert Sim had been studying for the priesthood before enlisting in 1915.  Periodically, Sim wrote to the archbishop of the conditions in the trenches, asking for His Grace's remembrance and blessing:

"August 1916...I am now at the firing line.  I have had many adventures since leaving Toronto but my heart ever turns to that fair city to which I feel I belong.  Day and night a constant stream of troops, wagons, and timbers are moving up the line. It is very sad to see the beautiful  churches all blown to ruins.  Of course I cannot write much.  I beg your Grace will remember me.  I am learning lessons in the very hard school in which I find myself..."
First World War, FWGC02.04

After being in action during the Battle of Arras, the storming of Vimy Ridge, and the taking of Passchendaele, Sim wrote of his desire to be discharged.  He wanted to continue his clerical studies in order to return to the front as a military chaplain.

You can see Gilbert Sim's personnel records on the Library and Archives Canada website, and search the digitized records of soldiers of the First World War.

Archbishop Neil McNeil was the ordinary of Toronto during the Great War and he is known for defending the Pope's neutral position.  McNeil is also credited with delivering one of the war's shortest patriotic speeches to a Toronto regiment about to be deployed.  At the non-denominational meeting he simply said:

“You are tired and anxious to spend these last hours with your friends and I will not keep you long.

If I were a young man I would be going with you. But I am an old man and must stay home.

Keep yourselves physically fit to fight and spiritually fit to die. God bless you.”*

*Boyle, George. Pioneer in Purple (Montreal: Palm Publishers, 1951), pp. 139-40.

New exhibit on Military Chaplains

Today, St. James Anglican Cathedral in Toronto opens a new exhibit to mark the centenary of the Great War.  Called to Serve presents records and artifacts from chaplains of numerous faiths serving Canada's military from the nineteenth century to present day.

ARCAT contributed photographs to the exhibit, including the image on the poster below.

According to the media release:

"The first ever of its kind in Canada, this exhibit will chronicle and pay tribute to the
brave service of the padres who donned battle dress and joined members of the armed
forces on the front lines of past wars and still walk with them today in regions of armed
conflict and natural disasters. Unarmed and often working alongside medical field
personnel, chaplains lend spiritual support to fighting troops, comfort the wounded and
bereaved, console the dying and provide dignified burial for the dead. They also care
spiritually for the families of military personnel. 

"Reaching back into history, the comprehensive display will chronicle the Canadian
chaplaincy’s evolution from its largely Christian origins before the Boer War to the
inclusive multi-faith mosaic of men and women it is today. Called to Serve will tell its
powerful story through photographs, paintings, press clippings, posters, letters, poems,
uniforms, insignia, embroidery, liturgical apparel and artifacts, as well as testimonies
from across generations and across the land."

If you are looking for a unique way to observe Remembrance Day, stop by this unprecedented (and free!) exhibit in the heart of Toronto from now until November 16th.

Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the First World War

This week Canadians commemorated the 100th anniversary of our nation's entry into the First World War. On August 5, 1914, Britain declared war on Germany, which meant that Canada was also involved. Before the war ended in 1918, 620,000 people were part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. 67,000 were killed, and 250,000 were wounded.

The Catholic Church considered itself impartial, and condemned the fighting. However, it did play a part. Many chaplains were fielded, and parishes participated in relief efforts.

At ARCAT we have records of another way the Catholic Church tried to help. Within the office of the Secretary of State of the Holy See, the Ufficio Provvisorio per Informazioni sui Prigionieri de Guerra (Temporary Office for Information on Prisoners of War) was formed. As detailed in an article "The Vatican and The Missing" in The Sacred Heart Review (Volume 58, Number 13, 8 September 1917 pp. 8-9), the office was formed in response to letters that Pope Benedict XV had been receiving from many countries with pleas for assistance in finding information about captured and missing soldiers. Catholic officials across Europe were able to visit prisoners of war and gather information, which was meticulously filed and made available to family members.

Archbishop McNeil assisted Catholics of the Archdiocese by personally writing to the office. Below is an example of a response which was received:

A letter to the Archbishop of Toronto acknowledging receipt of a telegram requesting information regarding Esmonde Clarke and instructing him to wait with patience while the necessary research is undertaken.

Below is a letter to Archbishop McNeil from an official of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, writing on behalf of Sir John Aird for information about his son, Hugh R. Aird.

We don't know what happened to Hugh R. Aird while he was in Turkey, but we do know that the family received a response:

Other things we know about Hugh are that he was born on September 2nd, 1892, and that he was a lumberman when he enlisted in February, 1915. He was 5'8", and had fair hair and blue eyes. His father, John Aird, lived at 89 Madison Avenue in Toronto. This information comes from Hugh's attestation paper, which can be found in Library and Archives Canada's Soldiers of the First War database.

Hugh's name can be found in a list of men who were in Eaton's Machine Gun Battery, but we know from his father's letter that he eventually became a part of the Royal Naval Air Service and served in the Gallipoli Campaign.

We do know that Hugh was able to make it home safely, because he went on to marry, and he became the father of John Black Aird, the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

We also know that Hugh died in 1971 and is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto, as found on the website findagrave.com.

The 'Great War' was extremely brutal and devastating to human life. By remaining impartial, the Catholic Church was able to bring comfort to soldiers and their families. As Archbishop McNeil explained in his 1918 pastoral letter The Pope and the War, "The Pope is necessarily neutral in this war. He is in justice obliged to be impartial. Catholics are patriotic in their respective countries. The war has made this clear. Whether right or wrong in judgement, they are convinced of the justice of their respective countries' cause, whether French or German. If the Pope publicly condemned either group of belligerents at the outbreak of war or at any stage of it, he would thereby place many millions of Catholics in the agonizing necessity of choosing between their Church and their Country, and he would favor one section of the Church at the expense of another. The war would go on in any case."

As we take time to commemorate this event in history, we pray that the lessons that were learned between 1914 and 1918 will be remembered and that peace can be attained for all people.