The Evangelist
for parishioners and friends of
Special Issue : W.W. I : Vol. XIII, No. 3
The Church of Saint John the Evangelist
In Commemoration of the men of St John’s
who served in World War I
Montreal, Quebec
In Flanders Fields
Message from Bishop John Farthing on the War
John McCrae (1872-1918)
from The Montreal Churchman, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
My Dear Brethren,
suffering shall not be in vain, but that we shall reap
The Nation and the
the fullest blessing from them.
church are passing
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Our Church in Canada stands to gain or
through a time of
lose the most in this matter. In no spirit of boast-
crisis. The issues are
fulness, but rather of thankfulness, we recall that
of stupendous import.
our Church is sending to the war about 60% of the
Great sacrifices are
men (taking the statistics of the first contingent).
being made and much
We have over one million of the population (1911
suffering is being
census gives us 1,043,017) out of a total popula-
endured.
tion of 7,206,643. That is to say one seventh or 14
We in the Dominion are making sacrifices.
1/3 percent of the population has sent 60% of the
Our manhood has gone forth to face the perils of
men. In men then the Anglican Church is making
war, to endure its hardships and in many cases to
the biggest sacrifice - 60% of the suffering for the
meet death. That is the supreme sacrifice possible
war will be endured by us. We shall lose from our
for man. The great Bishop Westcott said that
Church a larger percentage of men than any other
"sacrifice alone is fruitful." Certainly when we
in Canada, and our families will suffer corres-
see the sacrifice of the Cross we learn how fruitful
pondingly. If we take it alright, we shall come
it is. Every great advance in the world has been
out of this war more enriched and purified than
The First World War seems almost medieval in the attitude of the Men who
rushed to fight as if off to a Rugby game! It will be over by Christmas they were
told, and many feared it would be over before they arrived! Was it worth dying
for some obscure Prince killed by some irrelevant Student? Is any war justified to
save them at the Top, who start it, by killing them at the Bottom who have nothing to do with the quarrel?
won by sacrifice. Sacrifice invariably entails
any other Communion. If sacrifice be fruitful, if
suffering, and suffering purifies and enriches life
suffering purifies, then we should reap the greatest
when it is the fruit of love's sacrifice. "The fiery
spiritual blessing from the war. What a wonderful
trial which is to try us" St. Peter says, makes us
power we could be in Canada if we were a purified
"partakers of Christ's sufferings", and from it
Church! The world-spirit too much controlled us;
This issue brings to you a sample of the views and beliefs of those who were
there. Read, digest and ponder and pray to Christ and God to prevent future Wars.
we shall come purified as the gold is by the fire.
if we are purified through suffering the world-spirit
The Captain of our salvation was made perfect
will be exorcised and the Christ-spirit will rule. If,
through suffering.
however, we make a big sacrifice and suffering,
(1915)
EDITORIAL
- Tony Whitehead
I feel anxious that these sacrifices and this
2
Bishop Farthing: cont’d p. 4
3
Bishop Farthing - cont’d from p. 3
September Montreal Churchman - cont’d from p. 4
and then slip back into our worldliness and cov-
shall be greatly blessed, and our Church and her
etousness and frivolity, it will all have been in
members will have been made meet for the Master's
vain. I want to see the Church reap the blessings
use. God grant that it may be so!
from the sacrifice she has made and the suffering
Yours in Christ,
she must endure. Let everyone re-consecrate his
JOHN MONTREAL.
life to Jesus Christ, and with all his heart seek the
Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, then we
of God: we are here not to indulge in boasting and
vain glory, we are here to join together in a truly
patriotic service. A true Christian patriot remembers two things - the recognition due to Almighty
God in the national life at all times; secondly, the
fact that his country has faults and sins as well as
virtues. To overlook either of these is an act of
treachery and a failure in patriotism.
As we look over the past two years, and
especially the past few months, there is a great deal
that should fill our hearts with humble thankfulness
to God. We now realize, as we have never realized
before, that it was a miracle that Germany did not
win the war in the first three months. We may
truly say: “O God, our help in ages past”, but we
must also look ahead for God is also our hope for
years to come, and, therefore, we throw ourselves
upon God in intercession for the future as we
commend to him our Soldiers and Sailors and our
national needs.
From The Montreal Churchman, September 1916
At the noon hour Intercession Service in Christ
Church Cathedral on August 4th 1916, the second
anniversary of the war, The Rev’d W.
H. Davison, of St. John the Evangelist Church, dwelt on the importance
of the British people realizing their
own shortcomings, and not losing
sight of them in their expression of
horror at the horrors which the enemy
has committed.
It is astonishing (he said) how
quickly we see and condemn the
faults of others, while we remain
ignorant of our own shortcomings.
Shall I be very far wrong if I say that
this largely represents our position today? The
undoubted righteousness of our cause, the fact
that we did the supremely right thing in going to
war - the decision to fight - has been called the
most Christian act of our national history. This has
produced or increased our self-righteousness and
obscured our own guilt and share of responsibility
for the war. For the real cause of the
war we must go even beyond German
ambitions. It is to be found in its
fullness in the history of civilization in
the last twenty years. We hate with a
whole hearted hatred German barbarism and frightfulness; we execrate the
violation of Belgium; and we are quite
ready to thank God we are not as those
Germans.
But have we learnt in any adequate sense to say “God be merciful
to sinners”? Do we realize our need
of penitence? What do we mean by these services
today? We are here to try and be real, to see things
from the sanctuary, to look at them with the eyes
4
Sept. Montreal Churchman - cont’d p. 5
Church of St. John the Evangelist
Prof. Werner, of the Faculty of Applied Sciences,
McGill University, lectured before the Men’s Club
on Friday, Dec. 8th, taking as his subject “Big
Guns, their Origin and Manufacture.” The lecture
was illustrated with lantern slides, and handled by
one who is master of every detail, was intensely
interesting. The difference in construction and skill
of the weapons of large and small calibre, of the
early days, and the present, was very noticeable,
and some scenes were shown of munition factories
in active operation, where the shells to feed the big
bore guns were in course of construction. Rev. W.
H. Davison acted as chairman, and introduced the
speaker, and at the conclusion of the lecture moved
a hearty vote of thanks, which was unanimously
seconded by the members present.
The Guild of St. Anne held a Patriotic Sale
of Work and Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 9th, in
the Parish House, and in spite of most inclement
weather, a large amount was realized, the proceeds
being devoted to the work amongst the returning
wounded soldiers. It was formerly the custom to
the devote the proceeds to the beautifying of the
Chancel, but on the outbreak of war a departure
was made in favor of the above mentioned patriotic
and worthy object.
(reported in The Montreal Churchman,
January 1917)
5
The Boys Who Didn’t Come Home
E
very year we read their names solemnly on Remembrance Sunday from
the Memorial at the back of the church and perform a short military funeral
service for them. We think of their sacrifice and pity the brevity of their young
lives. We wonder whether it was all worth it. English Montreal made a tremendous effort during the Great War and it never really recovered fully from the loss
of so many talented and promising young men.
John Lennox Dugan,
d.1917, Vimy
Christopher John Arnold
d.1918.
We no longer know them and no one living now remembers them; it has been
too long. Yet, we feel that we should not forget them. Like so many others,
our parish sent the best of her boys and men. At one time there were 110 of
them serving overseas. The then Rector had four children, three sons and one
daughter, and they all served in France, the youngest boy wounded at Gallipoli
and dying on the Somme, after having been mentioned in dispatches. After his
retirement in 1917, Father French sold his house and crossed over to England
with his wife to “help with the war effort”. The parish developed a special
relationship with the Irish Canadian Rangers and, had not the Bishop objected,
Father Davison would have followed them overseas as their chaplain.
Henry G. Goodfellow
d.1916, Ypres
But 35 of the men did not return home. They came from every walk of society
and served in various ranks and positions in different regiments. They were
present in all the great battles and are buried in several military cemeteries of
Northern France.
Heinrich Stevenson
Duggan. d.1917,
Passchendaele
Charles Alexander Pope
d.1916,Sanctuary Wood
Below is the list of their names with the information I was able to gather about
them. We know most about three of them, Guy Drummond, Herrick Duggan
and Bertram French, because they came from prominent families and more has
been recorded about them. I will write more about these three in the second part
of our parish history (The French Years, 1909-1917) to appear this winter. For
most of the others, all we have are dates, regiments and places, though behind
every name, there is a tragic story, a grieving family, and a lost life. The list is
on p. 8; photographs of the 11 are marked by an asterisk (*).
Guy Melfort Drummond
d.1915, Ypres
Robert Blair Esdaile
d.1917, Catterick,
U.K.
Kenneth Mathewson
d.1916, Lens
JAllan Davenport Harvey
d.1916, Mount Sorrel
Bartram St. George
French
d.1916, Beaumont
Hamel
David Benedict Rennoldson
d.1916, Sanctuary Wood
6
7
[ HONOUR ROLL [
ALLEN, Charles V.
* ARNOLD, Christopher John. Armourer Staff Sergeant, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Died on November
19 1918 after the Armistice presumably from earlier wounds; buried in Wolverton Churchyard, UK.
BARNES, Wilfred
BETTS, Gordon. Private, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th Regiment. Died during training before going overseas,
August 27 1914. Buried in Mount Royal Cemetery.
BIFFIN, Edward. Private, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Killed in action at Ypres, March 25, 1916, age 26.
BURT, Arthur James. Private, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Killed in action on September 1 1917, buried
at Aix-Noulette (Pas-de-Calais).
COOPER, Corin Henry Benedict. Lieutenant, Royal Engineers. Wounded in France on October 1 1916, died later in
November 1916.
COOPER, Ernest
DAVENPORT, Harvey Allan. Private, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Division). Killed in action on June 13
1916.
Honour Roll - cont’d from p. 8
McGREER, Stanton Emile. Private, Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Division). Killed in
action at Ypres, June 7 1916.
McLELLAN, John
PARKER, Edward W.
* POPE, Charles Alexander, Lieutenant, Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. Killed in action at Sanctuary
Wood, May 7 1916, Age 38.
* RENNOLDSON David Benedict. Private, Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. Killed in action at Sanctuary
Wood, June 2 1916, age 29. Born in England in 1887, studied at McGill (B.A. 1911; B.Sc. 1913). His parents commissioned a window and a plaque in his memory showing his patrons, Saints David and Benedict, the last one in the
north aisle of the church.
RIACH, Harry Alexander. Private, Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Division). Killed in
action at Ypres.
ROGERS, Walter
VALADE, Arthur George. Gunner, Canadian Field Artillery. Killed in action at Denain (France), November 5 1918,
age 22.
DONALDSON, William
VALADE, William Ernest. Gunner, Canadian Field Artillery. Killed in action in 1917-8, age 19. Brother of Arthur
G. Valade.
* DRUMMOND Guy Melfort. Captain, 13th Canadian Battalion (Royal Highlanders). Killed in action at Ypres,
March 22 1915. Son of Sir George and Lady Julia Drummond.
WADE(Y), Henry (Harry). Highland Light Infantry, 14th Battalion (he first tried unsuccessfully to enlist in Canada,
and then went to the UK on his own expense and enlisted there). Died of his wounds on August 9 1916.
* DUGAN, James Lennox. Corporal, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Killed in action on March 1 1917.
Buried at Vimy Memorial. Distinguished Conduct Medal (posthumous). His family erected a bronze memorial to him
in the north aisle.
WADE(Y), John. Lance Sergeant, Pioneer Battalion. Killed in action, August 16 1916, age 23. Brother of Harry
Wade above; died within a week of his brother. A third brother Edmund Wade also enlisted, Third Battalion.
* DUGGAN, Herrick Stevenson. Lieutenant, 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Killed in action at Passchendaele,
October 30 1917, age 24.
* ESDAILE, Robert Blair. Second Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Died accidentally at Catterick UK, November 13
1917, age 20. A plaque east of the baptistery recalls his memory.
*FRENCH, Bertram St. George. Captain, King’s Liverpool Regiment and Inniskillin Fusiliers. (St. George Division). Killed in action at Beaumont Hamel, July 1, 1916. His father, The Rev’d Arthur French, was rector of St.
John’s. His parents erected a bronze plaque in church and gave a silver ciborium (which we currently use) to his
memory.
* GOODFELLOW, Henry Graves. 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Quebec Regiment). Killed in action at Ypres,
June 5 1916.
* HARVEY, Allan Davenport. 3rd Canadian Battalion. Killed in action at Mount Sorrel, June 13, 1916.
HEASLEY, Harold Richard. Gunner, Canadian Field Artillery. Killed in action on March 30 1918. Buried at La
Targette (Arras, France).
HENDERS, Wilfred Edmund. Private, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). Killed in action on September 29
1918, age 20. Buried at Buckoy Road (Arras).
JOHNSON, Francis
JONES, Arthur Stanley. Private. Killed in action at Vimy Ridge, March 26, 1915, Age 22.
* MATHEWSON, Kenneth. Second Lieutenant Royal Flying Corps. Killed in action at Lens, August 3 1916.
8
St. John’s School Cadets, Montreal, QC, 1908
Photograph: Wm. Notman & Son
property of McCord Museum, Montreal
9
The St. John’s Sacristy Book 1917-1919
“Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us”.
Ecclesiasticus Wisdom of Sirach (44:1-15)
° Father Davison was Rector after Fr. French resigned on January 1, 1917.
° In 1917 and 1918, there were regular “War Masses” at 8:00 am on Friday mornings.
Not always entered in the book.
° On March 26, 1917 - Requiem for James Lennox Dugan.
° May 13, 1917 - Maréchal Joffre’s visit to Montréal noted but there was
no special service at St. John’s.
Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us.
The Lord hath wrought great glory by them through his great power from the beginning.
Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their
understanding, and declaring prophecies:
Leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and
eloquent are their instructions:
° March 26, 1918 - Holy Tuesday was a Day of Continuous Intercession for the Great Battle of France.
Such as found out musical tunes, and recited verses in writing:
° May 19, 1918 - Blessing of the Dugan Memorial Plaque in the presence of Lt. Col. (?) Davidson.
All these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times.
° On June 30, 1918 - Day of Intercession for the War.
And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been; and are
become as though they had never been born; and their children after them.
° September 1, 1918 - Blessing of the Rennoldson Window and Memorial in the presence of Major George Barclay.
° October 31 to November 10, 1918 - Church closed because of Influenza Epidemic;
there was consequently no special service on November 11 and The Armistice not even noted in the record.
° July 19, 1919 - Peace Treaty Thanksgiving Service but there are no details.
° November 9, 1919 - Annual Requiem for those who died in the War.
Rich men furnished with ability, living peaceably in their habitations:
There be of them, that have left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported.
But these were merciful men, whose righteousness hath not been forgotten.
With their seed shall continually remain a good inheritance, and their children are within the covenant.
Their seed standeth fast, and their children for their sakes.
Their seed shall remain for ever, and their glory shall not be blotted out.
Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore.
The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will shew forth their praise.
Church of St John the Evangelist : 137 President Kennedy, Montreal, Quebec. H2X 3P6
Church Office : 514 288-4428 e-mail : [email protected] website : www.redroof.ca
“The Evangelist”
Special Issue: The First World War 1914-1919
Research : Peter Harper
Editor : Tony Whitehead
Designer : Carolyn Roper
10
11
Interior of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, ca 1914
Cover and back cover photos by S.J. Hayward
Photo of St John’s School cadets (p. 9) courtesy McCord Museum, Montreal
12