Passed an uncomfortable night on the train.
Today – more comfortable
Sentries are on guard over Bridges and Reservoirs etc.
Snow at Bowie a few miles east of Sicamous. Posted letter to J.M. Fromme, Lynn Creek, B.C. re Lumber for ceiling
Snow 12 inches deep at Field & Lake Louise, Rogers Pass.
Tuesday 10 November 1914 – rain
Raining unmercifully
Busy packing up. Said good bye to Reverend & Mrs. N.J. Thompson also Mr Holte.
4 pm young Frank Neate calls: busy getting ready. Leave at 5 pm for Vancouver, after having supper with Mrs. Graham and Charles
To Vancouver at 6:30 pm to C.P.R
Train leaves at 6:45 pm. I kiss Mrs. Graham good bye & bid good bye to Charles also.
Monday 9 November 1914 – fair
To Post Office & received my transportation papers from Ottawa.
Mrs Graham (Bessie) says “I am absolutely Happy” ?!!x?????
Said good bye to Mr Neats, Maude, Jack Barker, Whipps.
To Vancouver with Mrs. F Graham & Charles. Went to Dominion & Rex Theatre. C.P.R. Station.
To Neate’s and Esdaile’s & I said good-bye also to Councillor Westover & Duncan’s.
Back to Graham’s at 10:30 pm
Wednesday 30 September 1914 – fair
Working on Keith Road School
I send letter to Ottawa, also one 2 days ago offering my services to government
Reverend N.J. Thompson calls
The Battle of the Aisne has lasted 18 days
To Haswell’s at 8 pm.
*The Battle of the Aisne – A follow up attack by French and British forces after the Battle of the Marne. The battle began on September 12th. The German troops quickly retreated and then created entrenched defensive positions on the North Bank of the Aisne River. The French and English also dug in, creating entrenched positions.
Wednesday 16 September 1914 – rain
Raining all day
No work
Germans have retreated to the Vosges Mountains & their front extends 150 miles
They have over 1 ½ million men in the field. Their losses have been enormous. Our total losses are 15,000 killed, wounded & missing
Tuesday 15 September 1914 – cloudy
Germans are committing terribly atrocities in Belgium & France.
To work at Keith Road School all day
Hugh Neill calls at night & plays cards with Charles & myself.
*The Rape of Belgium – During the occupation of Belgium German troops were accused of killing civilians en masse on multiple occasions as well as destroying large amounts of civilian property. The events were quickly used as anti-German propaganda in England and North America and referred to as the Rape of Belgium.
Tuesday 25 August 1914 – fine & warm
Working on Keith Road School. Receive letter from Mrs. Graham.
British troops are now engaged fighting the Germans at Namur Belgium & have heavy losses. The French also lose heavily. The Austrians lose 15,000 killed & 30,000 wounded in one battle.
At Neat’s during the evening.
Monday 24 August – fine & warm
Working on Keith Road School. Receive my Family Herald & Weekly Star from Montreal (1st copy).
Japan declares war against Germany.
The 1st engagement of English troops with the Germans is at Namur Belgium. I go to Neats in evening chatting with Lilian & Mr. Neat. Stayed until 11 pm.
*Namur, Belgium – A major target for the Germans during WWI as it was on their planned route into France. On August 21st 1914 the Germans bombarded the town without notice and it was occupied by German troops until the end of WWI.
Monday 10 August 1914 – very hot
Start work on Keith Rd. School
Imperial Reserves in Canada are called to England. Canada is preparing to send 21,000 troops (volunteers) to Europe. Lord Kitchener wants 100,000 more men for the war.
To supper at Hugh Neill’s
*Horatio Herbert Kitchener – A famed British Army officer who fought in the Boer War as well as WWI. He was Secretary of State for War at the start of WWI, organizing the British volunteer army sent to fight Germany. He was killed in 1916 while on a warship, HMS Hampshire, that hit a German mine.
Wednesday 5 August 1914 – very hot
British ships sink two German [ships] and capture a Cruiser.
German Cruiser bombards Glace Bay, Nova Scotia
I go to Vancouver and make purchases of 3 sacks flour, 1 sack sugar, 1 lb lard and other sundries to last the winter.
To Neats at 9:15 pm have a chat. Read war news and leave at 10:45 pm.
Sent letter to Mrs Graham
