Saturday 23 November 2019

HOLY ANGELS, 50s STYLE

This photo, from the mid 1950s, has been posted here before but without names.  I have some of the names now so I am posting the picture again.  If you can help with any of the unnamed girls, I would be delighted to hear from you, mcallistersmith@gmail.com.  

"Holy Angels", after school party, 1950s
To Fr Hanton's right (and not in strict order) we have Anne Whelan, Patsy Stafford, Carol Sceviour, Bridie Colbert.  
Standing behind are Patsy Walsh, Alice Prim, Carol Brothers, Lucy Power, Eileen Maher, Florence Evans (peeping out between Eileen and Alice).
Moving to Fr Lewis it gets a little more jumbled but you just might recognize Alice Hennessey, Valerie McGrath, Bernice or Dorothy Noftall, Diane Hawley, Betty Galivan, Sheila Glynn, Betty Simms, Mary Glynn, Elizabeth Flynn, Brenda Tracey, Beth Anne McAllister and Margaret Morrissey.

Holy Angels was the group that preceded Children of Mary. Sister Immaculata was the leader of that group and, when we were in her Grade 6 class, we were all enrolled in Holy Angels.  

I don't remember what time of the year this party took place but I have vivid memories of the great time we had!  The two young priests, Fr John Hanton and Fr Phil Lewis, provided the entertainment. Fr Lewis was a marvel on the piano and he played all the popular hits of the day.  All that great Rock n Roll Stuff.  We were so innocent and naive in those days!  We were astonished that priests would know all of those songs.  I guess we thought they lived in a bubble or something.  Anyway, we had a wonderful time and Sr Immaculata was hard pressed to make us go home.  It is a rare day indeed when you have to force girls to go home from school!

I am counting on you to come up with a few names for me.  Please help if you can.

Thursday 21 November 2019

YVONNE'S PROUD EVENING

Happy Presentation Day, to all.  On this Presentation Day 2019, I am pleased to bring you this lovely little post.  I think it  will bring back happy memories of our small, but important, share of Presentation life. 
Venerable Nano Nagle
I have to thank Yvonne Dionne for the memories and photos. The photos and reminiscences are so nice to receive and they certainly reawaken half forgotten memories of our younger selves.

Yvonne writes:
"While at St. Patrick’s, around grade 5, age 10, in 1971, I joined the Girl Guides. The investiture was held in the school gym. My patrol leader, standing behind me, was Ellen Walsh."
Little Yvonne, A Proud Girl Guide

Thanks Yvonne.  This is a sweet little look back at life at dear old St Patrick's.  If anyone has photos, stories, or memories they would like to share, please just send them along to  us  at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.  It would be a pleasure to post them.  I have a bit of a backlog at present but I am working my way through it and I am slowly catching up.  Please keep the news coming!
A momentous night

Tuesday 19 November 2019

"AMAZING" ANTECEDENTS TOO

It is possible that I overuse the word "amazing" when speaking of St Patrick's people but, as I am sure you will agree, they truly are amazing, each and every one of them!  Marina Carew Aita and her sisters are all graduates of St Patrick's Convent Schools.  The story that Marina shares with us shows that St Patrick's people have some "amazing" (oops, sorry, that word again) antecedents too.  With regard to the City of St John's, I feel this is also an historically important snippet.  
St Patrick's Convent and the City of St John's Crests

Read and enjoy - and maybe help Marina along the way. Marina is hoping that someone, perhaps a City Councillor or a B I S Member, might pick up on this and be able to help her locate a photograph of her relative.  Anyway, here is Marina's interesting story.

“My great grandfather John Carew operated a funeral parlour located on Carew St. His son John, my g/uncle, was a St. John’s City Councillor at the time. According to The Daily News of Sept. 4, 1909, an issue being debated in Council on September 3, 1909 concerned a communication from some Chinese people requesting permission to exhume the body of a Chinese man who died some eight years previously. Their idea was to send it to China. In the interest of public health safety, John was opposed to the request and during the heated debate he suddenly suffered a massive heart attack and died instantly in the City Chamber.

My reason for posting this article is that I could never find a photo of my g/uncle John to add to our family tree, and thought perhaps some of your readers might be of help.  As well as a City Councillor, John was a lifetime member of B.I.S. and I believe I recall reading posts on your blog from members of both organizations. Perhaps they might have access to photos as I understand their archives are in the process of being updated.“

What a fascinating, if tragic, story.  Marina's great Uncle John Carew must have been a man of strong character and firm convictions.  I love this story and I hope someone will be able to help Marina in her search for a photo of her Uncle John.

Thanks Marina for sharing this with us.  Any family stories, no matter how old or how recent, are welcome if they have any connection to our School or Parish.  If you would like to share a tale with us, send it to mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

Monday 18 November 2019

FROM JANE ANNING ADAMS

Jane Anning Adams posted this message on the St Patrick's Facebook page.  I am posting it here on St Patrick's Convent School Blog in the hope that some of Jane's former classmates will see it and get in touch with her.  Perhaps someone will remember Jane's mother, Joan Ryan, and aunt, Marilyn Ryan.  They too are St Patrick's girls and they lived on Patrick St.  Good luck Jane, I hope you get some good results.  
SCHOOL DAYS - RUBBER BAG DAYS!
Jane wrote:
"I just discovered this group and it brought back many memories. I attended St. Patrick's for only a short time - about January 1968 to June 1968. I was in Ms. Hennessy's grade 2 class (hopefully I got the name right). My mom and siblings were visiting from Saskatchewan for a few months and we stayed with my grandparents on Patrick Street. My mother Joan Ryan attended St. Patrick's when she was young (c.1942 - 1953) and my aunt Marilyn Ryan also attended the school (c. 1958 - 1969). My mom is now living in Cambridge, Ontario and unfortunately has Alzheimer's. She still mentions the teachers and her piano lessons at the school. If anyone remembers my mom (or me) I'd love to hear from you. I will pass along any messages to her."

A TREASURE FROM 1942

Does anyone know why a post suddenly goes missing from a Blog?  On 24th May 2015, I posted this great picture of Holy Cross Confirmation Class, circa 1942/43.  Very few of the boys were identified so, sometime later, I was delighted to be contacted by Ray Simms with some wonderful information.  Ray is one of the boys on this photo and he was able to identify just about all the boys pictured. On 15th May 2017 I re-posted the photo again with the new information.  Then I added the  link for the Blog Post to our facebook page.  Now for the mystery!

Several months ago, Ray's son, Danny, contacted me saying that he was unable to find the new post with the names, although there was a link for it.  The photo and a link back to the Blog Post is definitely in the Holy Cross Album on our facebook but, strangely, the link leads back to a page that tells us it does not exist.  Mystery or what?
Holy Cross Confirmation Class 1942



This picture is a real treasure and to have most of the names is an added bonus so I am re-posting the photo with all the names supplied by Ray. 
Back Row: J Hickey, E Parsley, B Fanning, J Whelan, R McGrath, F Kavanagh, F Gough, R Simms
Row 3:  C Ennis, P Miller, R Kavanagh, D Baird, T Brewer, J McAllister, R Whelan, B Parrell, C Carew, Br Drayton
Row 2B English, J St George, J Greene, C Penney, B Whittle, A Fitzgerald, D Molloy, B Kielly, L Hickey, C McKay
Front RowJ O'Brien, ??, P Murphy, J Cleary, B Evans, J Barron, R Morrissey, J Baird, C Baird, J Walsh, P Roynayne

I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed that this post will 'stay put' both here and on our facebook page!

Once again, my thanks to Ray Simms and to his son Danny.  Keep well, Ray, and please keep in touch.

Friday 15 November 2019

SEPTEMBER GET TOGETHER

I am so pleased to know that Joan Reynolds Fogarty and her amazing classmates are still celebrating friendship.  Joan sent this picture of the girls at their September get together at P J Billingtons.  Joan said this meeting was especially memorable because, for the very first time, Yvonne Stephenson Meissner and Mary Farrell O'Keefe attended.  Mary lives in Pouch Cove and Yvonne lives a little farther afield, in Claremont, Ontario.
That amazing Group of Friends
The ladies are:
Front: Yvonne Stephenson Meissner, Patricia Connolly Leonard, Eleanor Sears Vatcher
Row 2:  Brenda Casey Grouchy, Mary Fitzgerald, Mary Farrell O'Keefe, Joan Reynolds Fogarty, Joan Connolly Alston, Mary Bulger Corcoran, Catherine Corbett Stanley, Madeline Thomson Adams
Row 3:  Rosemary Ashley Healy, Judy Fitzgerald Squires, Kathleen Dobbin Benson

The classmates meet for their Christmas bash on 4th December and we look forward to hearing all about that too.

Thanks Joan for keeping us up to date on your activities.  You must be the closest, most loyal, group of school friends anywhere.  St Patrick's Convent and West End values, perhaps?  God bless you wonderful women and may you enjoy many more happy reunions.
-------------------------------
I am sorry to have to add a sad note to this otherwise happy post.  Joan has just informed me that one of the faithful band of friends, Betty Fitzgerald Pye, has just lost her beloved husband, Reg.
https://www.barretts.ca/obituaries/Reginald-Stephen-Pye?  Sincere sympathy to Betty and family and to all who grieve for the loss of Reg.

Thursday 22 August 2019

22nd ANNUAL HOLY CROSS DINNER


Mike Power has sent us an email informing us of another of those wonderful Holy Cross Dinners.  Here is Mike's email.

"Tickets for the 22nd Annual Holy Cross Reunion and Dinner held at the Knights of Columbus on Sept. 12th, will be available Monday August 5th at Twin Cities Imaging, 6 Campbell Ave, Mon. to Fri. 8:30-4:30 and Gingersnap, 803 Water St., Tues.-Wed.-10-5, Thurs.-Fri.-10-6, Sat.-10-5, Sun.-12-4. Tickets are $35.00 and include a Travel Mug with the Holy Cross colors and insignia. Meet and Greet is from 6:00-7:30 and the Dinner is at 7:30. There also will be extra Travel Mugs and Holy Cross Books for sale and a 50/50 draw. This year being the 50th anniversary of the School fire on Patrick St., this years guest speaker will be retired Fireman Robert Corbett who fought the fire, speaking on this topic. The mic then be left open for a short while as we would like to encourage ex pupils in attendance to say a few words about their experience in the school and getting out during this fire." 

Sunday 21 July 2019

AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS

I think friendship is undefinable but it is  definitely a thing of beauty and a gift to be treasured. It is evident that St Patrick's girls certainly know the value of friendship because they just keep reconnecting with their school friends and the years always seem to melt away.
Some wise words from Charlie Brown



















I have had news of another recent get together.  On 5th June 2019, a sizable number turned up at Bally Haly on Logy Bay Road.  This group of friends had graduated from St Patrick's in the late 1950s and early 1960s.  From all reports, it is apparent that a wonderful time was had by all.  We are delighted that Betty Simms and Pat Hurley McDonald have very kindly sent along some pictures of the happy gathering.

Thank you, Pat and Betty, for the pictures and the information.  I don't know if it is true, but I heard a little whisper that there is a BIG 60th reunion in the pipeline for next year.  If you graduated from St Patrick's in 1960, keep your eyes and ears open for news of a reunion.  Be sure to make a big effort to attend - even if you have to trek from far off places like Alberta, Florida, Wales, or anywhere else on planet earth!  If that reunion materializes, it will be well worth attending.

Still close friends

Catching up on the news
Still smiling and looking great!
So great to see you!
Some serious chatting going down here!

Pat and Jackie share some news
I'd rather chat than eat!
Well, Hello!

Wednesday 10 July 2019

THE YEARS ROLLED AWAY

Christine Butler has sent us news of their 41 year class reunion,  held on 9th June 2019.
The Friends

One very talented classmate and friend, Janice Fagan, wrote a touching poem for the occasion.
'Friendship' summed up beautifully by Janice
Christine said: "The Big Day was awesome!  We had a great reunion!"

Christine, thank you for sharing this wonderful celebration of enduring friendship.  Please keep us up to date with any news of yourself and your classmates and school friends.  

Keeping St Patrick's people in touch is magic so let's do our best to help the magic continue!  As Janice said: 
"Our lives may have led us in different directions
But ST PATRICK'S will always remain our connection."

Monday 8 July 2019

40th REUNION, HOLY HEART OF MARY GRADUATES,1979

Holy Heart Yearbook, 1979
Paula Cowan-vineham has sent us an important notice for all St Patrick's Girls who graduated from Holy Heart of Mary in 1979.
The Old School Crest
There is a 40th Reunion coming up on 3rd - 5th August. Tickets are now on sale. For tickets and more information go to eventbrite.
Did you wear them in 1979?
It promises to be a great time so don't miss out and be sure to tell your friends who graduated with you.

Have a wonderful reunion ladies!

Monday 1 July 2019

BEAUMONT HAMEL, SOMME

Cap with original Badge, in Museum in Ypres
Sir Douglas Haig, Lieutenant General in command of the Corps, wrote a letter to the Government of Newfoundland expressing his appreciation of the Regiment's splendid courage and determination on 1st July 1916.  Here is part of what he wrote.

"That Battalion covered itself with glory on July 1st by the magnificent way in which it carried out the attack entrusted to it.  It went forward to the attack when two other attacks on that same part of the line had failed, and by its behaviour on that occasion it showed itself worthy of the highest traditions of the British Race, and proved itself to be a fit representative of the population of the oldest British Colony.  When the order to attack was given every man moved forward to his appointed objective in his appointed place as if on parade.  There were no waverers, no stragglers, and not a man looked back.  It was a magnificent display of trained and disciplined valour, and its assault only failed of success because dead men can advance no farther."  
"Better than the Best"

Sunday 30 June 2019

PADRE NANGLE AND MONUMENTS

Newfoundland Memorial Park, Beaumont Hamel,
 Somme, France
Padre Thomas Nangle played a major part in the building of Newfoundland Memorial Park, Beaumont Hamel.  He was also a driving force behind the erection of our magnificent War Memorial in St John's.
Bowring Park, St John's

When speaking of memorials and monuments, Padre Nangle said that they were "Monuments to our Glorious Dead and to our just as Glorious Survivors.  They are monuments to the Mothers that bore such brave sons and the Land that bred them." 
St John's War Memorial

Whatever part of Newfoundland you are in tomorrow, 1st July, do your utmost to get out to your local War Memorial and honor them all.

Wednesday 26 June 2019

MY GRANDFATHER, MY HERO

This post, about William Gushue, another "Glorious Survivor", is a touching tribute from his grandson, Don Mallard.  Pte Gushue had very strong connections with St Patrick's Convent Schools and Holy Cross School.  All the Mallard girls, as well as their grandmother, attended St Patrick's and the boys are all Holy Cross boys.  There is nothing else for me to say except, thank you very much, Don, for this moving story.  We are so pleased you shared it with us.

"As the first of July ... in Newfoundland (Remembrance Day) comes round,  I keep looking out into my garden - not really my garden, but a work of art of my beautiful wife Brenda. I notice one flower that I really love, because it was the symbol of remembrance for Newfoundland before we became a province of Canada! It is, of course, the beautiful blue Forget-Me-Not.

It also brings back many memories of my childhood and memories of my beautiful grandparents! I was the first of a flock of thirteen Mallards. Being the first born, I had a special place in their hearts which I didn’t hesitate to take advantage of. We lived in a three story house at the bottom of Stephen St. Three small apartments and I shared the middle one with my Nan and Pop Gushue. Mom and  Dad shared the bottom floor larger apartment with the rest of the kids. My Aunt Kay, Uncle Art shared the top floor with their family! They all treated me like a king and I loved them and will never forget them. The house was later expropriated during the urban renewal times in the early sixties. It stood just west of Barter’s Hill....where City Hall stands now!

When I was invited to share a few words about my Grandfather Gushue I didn’t quite know where to start.  You see he was a Veteran of Two World Wars and one of the most influential people in my life along with my Nan Gushue and my wonderful Mom and Dad. I was so blessed to be brought up with so much love that is still alive to this day! That’s their legacy - I can’t thank them enough!

The inscription on the service medal says: 
Don's Grandfather's Medal
1914-1918  
 
8293 P F E
W. Gushue
NEWFD F.C

When I researched a little, I found out that Pop Gushue served in the Forestry Unit of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during World War I. This is not a war story, but a tribute to a man who left his home and family to serve his country in the Great War.

As a boy I remember speaking to him about the War, but he never spoke much about it. He never spoke of seeing any action. Maybe that was a good thing!  He did speak of some of his comrades whom he remembered fondly!  Being of this generation he was very proud of his regiment. “Better than the Best” he would say, quoting a British General describing the courage and toughness of the Newfoundland Regiment.  He was very proud of the letter from the King thanking him for his service upon his return home! Over a hundred years ago now. He liked to speak of places he had been, but the First World War was something he didn’t say a whole lot about to me as a kid.  Maybe the memories were too painful... no doubt he lost a lot of his friends.
Letter signed by King George V and Pte Gushue's medal

In the years following the war he settled down, married and had four children, my Aunt Kay ( Cathrine ) my Aunt Anne, my Mom Helen and Uncle Bill. Mom and Uncle Bill are still with us today and what a blessing that is! He married Mary Monica Flynn, (my beautiful Nan Gushue) one of the sweetest souls God ever created.  
Mary and William Gushue

Pop became a sailor, he worked on many different ships and was away from his family for long periods of time! It must have been so hard on my Nan Gushue. Following the War and then into the twenties and depression years of the thirties he worked “on the boats” mostly as a Chief Steward. We cannot imagine the hard times they went through. This is how he provided for his family. He did see the world and spoke of the many places he had been! The homecomings must have been joyous, but being away for such long periods of time his children would hardly recognise him. 

Then it came again in September 1939. Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Germany invaded Poland and Great Britain and the Empire were at war again. Pop became one of the brave Merchant Seamen who worked the unarmed ships that were crucial to keeping Great Britain, now alone in Europe with vital supplies. The Battle of the Atlantic was one of the most crucial battles of World War Two! German submarines were everywhere and they were lethal, sinking hundreds of ships. 

I remember him telling me a sad story of he and one of his friends. Pop had gotten a berth on the “MV Narissa” as Chief Steward. In the meantime he had gotten a better berth on another vessel, “The Monarch of Bermuda”. He met his friend walking in the street. His friend did the same type of work as he and he told him of his berth on the “Narissa", which he had just given up. His friend applied and got the berth that was his.  Shortly after “The Narissa” was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine and Pop’s friend lost his life. I know Pop Gushue had a very hard time with this. He felt he had sent his friend to his death. 

He told me of a close call he had when he ended up overboard during a blackout in Scotland...he managed to save himself and a number of his fellow sailors who had fallen overboard too!  I remember my Nan Gushue poking fun at him telling him it wouldn’t have happened if they weren’t all drunk, not sure if they were drinking or not, but that was Nan...being the wife of a sailor that was the first thing she would think. Pop would just chuckle at that!

After the War Pop Gushue returned home.  He finally got closer to home. He landed a real good job out in Argentia, at the U S base there.  It looked like things were looking up, but life throws many curves. Pop found his eyesight failing. He was later diagnosed with Glaucoma and in a short while went totally blind in both eyes!  Back then the health care was nowhere where it is today, but Private William Gushue of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment WWI and Merchant Seaman of WW2 was now facing an even greater challenge than bullets and submarines. He would be blind for the rest of his life.

I can tell you now what sustained him and helped him and got him through those difficult years.  He was a man of great Faith. I can remember him walking back and forth our long narrow hallway on Stephen St. with his white cane in one hand and his Rosary in the other.  I remember the priest coming to our house with the Blessed Sacrament and the reverence for the Eucharist, which is the center of our Catholic Faith, that was displayed. I remember my Nan Gushue preparing a small alter of two candles and a crucifix in their bedroom and nobody spoke while the priest was in the house ministering to Pop!  His Faith sustained him and nurtured him for the remainder of his life. I remember Nan Gushue and Pop on their knees with Mom and Dad and the rest of the family leading the Rosary during Lent and other times. Because of Nan and Pop,  and my Mom and Dad, this gift of Faith has been passed on to all of their children, and grandchildren as well. Mom still has the Rosary every Monday night with the family.

What a gift that has been passed on. In my own Faith journey I remember the words of Father Kevin Mckenna’s blessing and the gift that has been passed on to all of our family...”and may he grant you the greatest of all gifts, the final perseverance in the Faith of Jesus Christ...no matter what!" This gift that was passed on to me personally has sustained me through a ten year battle with two types of cancers.

So my Grandfather (Pop) Gushue is definitely my hero. I have and always will have a soft spot in my heart for all veterans and those who serve and have served. May God Bless them and their families! We owe them so much...we must never forget them!
God Bless you all!
Don Mallard"
Don placing Forget-Me-Nots on his grandfather's grave 

Tuesday 25 June 2019

THANKS TO 'ARCHIVAL MOMENTS'

As well as St Patrick's Convent Schools, St Patrick's Parish, Holy Cross Schools, and Holy Heart of Mary High School are all part and parcel of our school experience so we like to post about them also. Today's post, which is in honour of another of our "GLORIOUS SURVIVORS", has a Holy Heart connection.  

I am a big fan and follower of 'Archival Moments'.  On 25th February 2019, 'Archival Moments' featured the story of the return of Private Michael Ryan to his home in Calvert.  The Holy Heart connection comes through Michael Ryan's daughter, known to some of us as Sr M Reginald and to others as Sr Marie Ryan.  Whatever name you knew her by, Sister spent many years at Holy Heart of Mary High School and quite a few of us had the good fortune to be taught by her.  
Sr M Reginald/Sr Marie Ryan,
Holy Heart of Mary High School, circa 1964
Michael Ryan had enlisted at St John's on 8th February 1917. According to 'Archival Moments', it was in February 1919 that Private Ryan "arrived home from France by the Corsican, he was home after two years of service having seen some of the most severe fighting of the war, but came through without a wound."   It went on to say that  on 14th February "the ladies of the Harbour tendered Private Ryan a splendid reception in St Joseph's School." 

The MC for the occasion was Joseph Sullivan and he welcomed the young man with the words: "We are glad to have you back again and our only sorrow, and we feel sure yours also, is that your poor chum Charlie who enlisted with you, is not here tonight to share with you our joy, but God willed otherwise, and tonight he, like so many others of our "Better than the Best", sleeps in a hero's honoured grave in France, a martyr to the Huns' frightfulness."  Private Ryan was then presented with a purse and a gold watch and fob as a remembrance of his home coming.
Pte Michael Ryan, Regimental Number 3468

Michael Ryan eventually married Bridget Clancy and they raised a large family which included two priests, Fr Kevin and Fr William, and a Nun, Sr Marie P B V M.
Fr William Ryan
According to his obituary, Michael Ryan lived the rest of his life on his "beloved Southern Shore"On Sunday morning, 3rd April 1955, Michael Ryan was preparing to take his family to Mass when he died suddenly of a heart attack. Again we quote from his obituary: "Having lived a life given over first to the fear and love of God, it was perhaps fitting that he should die on the way to worship Him."

His son, Fr Kevin, was the main celebrant at Michael Ryan's funeral.  Private Ryan was escorted to the cemetery by a Guard of Honour of the Canadian Legion.  When the final prayers had been said and the Legion ritual completed, they dropped red Poppies into his grave.  "And they buried him among the Fir Trees where the Hill slopes towards the broad Atlantic - within the sight and the sound of which he had lived all his life."

Saturday 22 June 2019

"GLORIOUS SURVIVORS"

While never forgetting those who died, in the next few days we will remember those who fought and survived the horrors of World War I. Padre Thomas Nangle referred to them as "glorious survivors".  

Cathy Taylor entered Kindergarten at Mercy Convent about 1963.  The following year she started Grade 1 at St Patrick's Convent.  Cathy remembers Sr Kieran, her teacher, very well and she  still has her Report Card from that year. She must have been a good student because she came first in her class! Cathy graduated from St Patrick's, Grade 9, in 1971 and moved on to Holy Heart of Mary High School.  In this post Cathy Taylor Coffey pays a fond tribute to her grandfather,  Sgt Victor Taylor, who enlisted on 2nd September 1914. 
Sgt Victor Taylor, Newfoundland Regiment Number 111
"My grandfather was Victor Taylor, and he was one of the First Five Hundred in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, number 111.  He was born on November 10, 1889. He grew up on the South Side Road, and later lived on Topsail Road, and then on Craigmillar Avenue, where I grew up. He was a machinist by trade and worked at Job’s down at the docks.

He survived the battle of Beaumont Hamel on July 1, 1916. I had always thought that he was one of the 68 that answered roll call on July 2, 1916, but my Aunt Patricia (married to John Taylor, my uncle) had recently informed me that he was not on that list. 

I do know that he was one of three ‘runners’ that day, so he would have been one of the first to go over the top that morning. This was according to one of the staff at Beaumont Hamel Memorial in France that I spoke to in June, 2000. 

As to what happened to him that day we will never know. He never spoke of the war much to us, but he did speak to my Uncle Gus Blackwood who was in the Air Force (married to my aunt, Mary {Taylor} Blackwood). Like many, he was probably more comfortable sharing stories with someone else who had also served.

Although my grandfather did not often speak of the war, he was very proud of the Newfoundland Regiment. When I was little he used to sing us his marching songs, “Mademoiselle from Armentieres”, taking care to leave out the naughty bits! He also talked a little about life in the trenches. He had issues with his feet throughout his life as a result of frostbite, and also issues with the skin on his face from mustard gas, which he survived by urinating in his handkerchief and covering his face with it. He never told us about this, but Uncle Gus told me. He was also hospitalised for a time with dysentery. 

Luke, at the Danger Tree, 
Newfoundland Memorial Park, Beaumont Hamel


In June, 2000, we took our youngest son, Luke, to The Somme and  Beaumont Hamel. I was the first grandchild and Luke was the first great grandchild to visit the site. Luke’s train ticket number from Paris to Amiens was '111', which was Pops’s regimental number. It was a very emotional experience for me as I walked through the remnants of those same trenches where he would have walked under very different circumstances.

Every year my grandfather gave me money to get a poppy for myself and him, and so I would stop at that little store at the foot of Patrick Street on my way home from school. I remember the store clerk always saying it was too much money, but it was what my Pops wanted me to pay, so I did. 

I wear my poppy for him especially, every Remembrance day."

Thank you very much for sharing this lovely personal story with us Cathy.  Imagine Luke's ticket being number 111!  That was an amazing coincidence and I expect you have saved the ticket.  I think your grandfather would be as proud of you as you are of him.

Tuesday 18 June 2019

CLUNY MACPHERSON, A RETURNED SOLDIER,

As we approach 1st July, we remember those heroes who fought and died in WWI.  Of course, that is right and proper and long may we continue to honour them and their total sacrifice.  But, many answered the call to arms and, at the end of that loathsome war, returned home to family and friends.  It certainly couldn't have been easy to readjust but most managed to settle back into the life of their communities. Those who fought and returned are also heroes, deserving of honour and remembrance.   

One such returned soldier was Dr Cluny Macpherson.  Dr Macpherson had no direct link with St Patrick's but I am pretty sure that he was the family doctor for many of our families.  I know that he was ours and, although I can't personally remember him, some of my older siblings could recollect Dr Macpherson making house calls. 

About eighteen months ago we spent the day at the Imperial War Museum, London and John took loads of pictures. Newfoundland's contribution was evident amidst the two floors of WWI displays and memorabilia, and Cluny Macpherson's was prominent.
John's photo of the Imperial War Museum, London

WWI Trench markers, displayed at the Imperial War Museum, London.  (Another of John's photos.)
Cluny Macpherson was born in St John's on 18th March 1879.  He earned his medical degree from McGill University, Montreal, and eventually made his way back to St John's where he set up practice as a physician.  At the outbreak of WWI, Cluny enlisted and was commissioned as a Captain and Principal Medical Officer of the newly formed 1st Newfoundland Regiment.  Previously, he had started the first St John Ambulance Brigade in Newfoundland and now members of the Brigade enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment. Captain Cluny Macpherson organised them into an Ambulance Unit which continued throughout the War.  Capt Macpherson saw active service in Belgium, France, Salonika, Gallipoli and Egypt.  He was mentioned twice in dispatches. 
Capt Cluny Macpherson in Egypt (Internet photo!!)

The Germans first used poison gas against the Allied troops in April 1915. To combat the gas, two not very successful devices were hurriedly issued to troops.  Captain Macpherson came up with an improvement on these two and invented an early version of the gas mask.  His invention, the British Smoke Hood, was a canvas hood treated with chlorine-absorbing chemicals, fitted with a see through mica eyepiece.  This was adopted by the British Army and introduced in June 1915. 
Forerunners of the Gas mask. (John took this picture through the glass case.)


Captain Cluny Macpherson's invention.  (A cropped version of John's photo.)
Captain Macpherson was injured in Egypt and returned to Newfoundland in October 1916.  He resumed his medical practice in St John's, served as Director of Medical Services for the Militia, and held various posts for the Newfoundland Medical Society.  Dr Cluny Macpherson retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and lived and worked in his home town until his death on 16th November 1966. 

Friday 14 June 2019

WHAT THEY SAID

I think you all know that St Patrick's Convent School, Deanery Avenue, which  opened in 1921, was built as a Memorial to those of the parish who fell in WWI. Every year, on 1st July, Newfoundlanders remember them and all who fell in that brutal conflict.  This Blog also tries to honour them in some small way.  For that reason, in the couple of weeks leading up to 1st July, the posts will concentrate on our Regiment and its men.  In this first post, "WHAT THEY SAID", I will simply quote what some others have said in regard to the Newfoundland Regiment.
The plaque from St Patrick's Convent School,  Deanery Avenue 
In Scotland, they were popular with the locals and on 25th April 1915, The Edinburgh Evening News said "THE NEWFOUNDLANDERS WILL LEAVE BEHIND THEM THE NAME OF A MODEL REGIMENT, WHICH KNEW HOW TO HONOUR ITSELF AND THE PLACE WHENCE IT CAME."

Of course, their bravery in the face of terrible odds also impressed those who fought alongside them.  After the horror of 1st July an eyewitness, Pte F H Cameron of the King's Own Scottish Borderers had this to say, "ON CAME THE  NEWFOUNDLANDERS, A GREAT BODY OF MEN, BUT THE FIRE INTENSIFIED AND THEY WERE WIPED OUT IN FRONT OF MY EYES.  I CURSED THE GENERALS FOR THEIR USELESS  SLAUGHTER - THEY SEEMED TO HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT WAS GOING ON."    
Throughout the war, the Newfoundland Regiment was highly thought of as a  brave and dependable body of men - a Regiment to be trusted and to rely on.  In October 1918 there was ferocious fighting in the Steenbeck.  A respected British Officer, Brigadier General Freyberg,  heartened to learn that his left flank was being protected by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment remarked, "THANK GOD, MY LEFT FLANK IS SAFE!"
In a letter to the Government of Newfoundland, Sir Douglas Haig, expressed his admiration of the Regiment's courage and determination on 1st July, 1916.  "I SHOULD LIKE YOU TO LET MY FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE EMPIRE IN THE OLDEST OVERSEAS PORTION OF THE BRITISH REALM KNOW HOW WELL THEIR LADS HAVE DONE......., HOW PROUD I, AS THEIR CORPS COMMANDER, AM TO HAVE HAD SUCH A BATTALION UNDER MY COMMAND, AND TO BE A COMRADE IN ARMS OF EACH AND ALL OF THEM. 
NEWFOUNDLANDERS, I SALUTE YOU!  YOU ARE BETTER THAN THE BEST."