This anthology, like any book, is only possible through the contributions of many people. This book came into existence due to the initial funding from Beckwith Township and later the Community Engagement Partnership Fund from Veteran Affairs. With the funding in place, students of Calvary Christian Academy and myself set out to research and write about the 56 men and women who served in WWI from Beckwith Township. Larry Gray (We Are The Dead) served as our military historian and editor and for that, we are grateful.
Reeve Richard Kidd, the Beckwith Council, and the Beckwith Historical Society were all key contributors in making these biographies. The Carleton Place Legion, Betsy Simpson, Aubrey Penney and Tom Bourne, Calvary Christian Academy Principals’, all served key roles as well.
However, this book is about the men and women who served so bravely in WWI. As you read, you will discover that each person has a unique story to share. However, this editor was struck by just how close the relationships and ties were between them. Fathers/Sons served together, brothers and sisters, brothers and brothers; close neighbours and friends shared this experience together. It is easy to imagine just how hard the news David McLaren or Jessie McDiarmid were not coming home would have impacted the entire community of Beckwith Township.
As you read through this anthology, it is important to remember the purpose of this anthology. Contributors to this anthology include grade seven and grade five students from Calvary Christian Academy in Franktown. As time passes, World War I is becoming more foreign to our students today. In the Ontario curriculum and textbooks, students may spend up to two weeks in grade seven studying World War I and the focus is on the major battles and Vimy Ridge in particular.
This anthology paints a very different picture. We read about 40 and 50-year-old men leaving their jobs to go and help in hospitals and training grounds. We discover most go through a year of training in England and so several men never saw fields of action. We read about how frequently they would contract syphilis and gonorrhea; we learn almost all the Beckwith veterans who died didn’t die in big heroic battles listed in the textbooks. They died when traveling to field of actions, they died by sniper fire when trying to set up supplies, they died in battles that are almost footnotes now; they died in little skirmishes between the big battles. But they are rightly remembered today on the Beckwith cenotaph.
You will also read about men who had their lives changed forever because of their service. We read about several men who are permanently injured and discharged. We read about the three incredible nursing sisters. One served in the first military hospital to ever be established. One served right in the field of action and suffered a nervous breakdown. And one served on the Llandovery Castle and was murdered by a German captain. The Americans have the Alamo. Canadians have the Llandovery Castle, which was the rallying cry of World War I.
It seems appropriate that this document is an anthology. It becomes quickly apparent that there is no typical story. Every soldier had a different story and there was no consistent reason why they took the path they did. The randomness stated in the phrase “in the right place at the right time” seems to be the driving force behind each path. But it is curious to see how many Beckwith veterans who saw action would get promotions. It was rare for our boys and girls not to make an impression and for that, we can deservedly and proudly proclaim they are Beckwith’s Heroes.
Finally, the people who made the decisions to list these individuals on Beckwith’s Honour of Fame are to be commended. There are several individuals listed who never lived in Beckwith Township. However, every single individual had some relation associated with Beckwith Township whether it was a sister, a parent or a job. To decide it was more important to remember them then argue about whether they belonged to Beckwith Township or some other place is wonderful. Cecil Smith is one of the beneficiaries of that decision. Cecil Smith and his family were from England. He immigrated to Canada, passed through Beckwith Twp as a migrant labourer, and lived in Toronto at the time of his enlistment. He died doing trench inspections as an L/Cpl very early on in the war at Mt. Sorrel. He died with no family, no job, and no residence. But lest we forget, Beckwith Township decided to remember his sacrifice. Well done, Beckwith Township.
Reeve Richard Kidd, the Beckwith Council, and the Beckwith Historical Society were all key contributors in making these biographies. The Carleton Place Legion, Betsy Simpson, Aubrey Penney and Tom Bourne, Calvary Christian Academy Principals’, all served key roles as well.
However, this book is about the men and women who served so bravely in WWI. As you read, you will discover that each person has a unique story to share. However, this editor was struck by just how close the relationships and ties were between them. Fathers/Sons served together, brothers and sisters, brothers and brothers; close neighbours and friends shared this experience together. It is easy to imagine just how hard the news David McLaren or Jessie McDiarmid were not coming home would have impacted the entire community of Beckwith Township.
As you read through this anthology, it is important to remember the purpose of this anthology. Contributors to this anthology include grade seven and grade five students from Calvary Christian Academy in Franktown. As time passes, World War I is becoming more foreign to our students today. In the Ontario curriculum and textbooks, students may spend up to two weeks in grade seven studying World War I and the focus is on the major battles and Vimy Ridge in particular.
This anthology paints a very different picture. We read about 40 and 50-year-old men leaving their jobs to go and help in hospitals and training grounds. We discover most go through a year of training in England and so several men never saw fields of action. We read about how frequently they would contract syphilis and gonorrhea; we learn almost all the Beckwith veterans who died didn’t die in big heroic battles listed in the textbooks. They died when traveling to field of actions, they died by sniper fire when trying to set up supplies, they died in battles that are almost footnotes now; they died in little skirmishes between the big battles. But they are rightly remembered today on the Beckwith cenotaph.
You will also read about men who had their lives changed forever because of their service. We read about several men who are permanently injured and discharged. We read about the three incredible nursing sisters. One served in the first military hospital to ever be established. One served right in the field of action and suffered a nervous breakdown. And one served on the Llandovery Castle and was murdered by a German captain. The Americans have the Alamo. Canadians have the Llandovery Castle, which was the rallying cry of World War I.
It seems appropriate that this document is an anthology. It becomes quickly apparent that there is no typical story. Every soldier had a different story and there was no consistent reason why they took the path they did. The randomness stated in the phrase “in the right place at the right time” seems to be the driving force behind each path. But it is curious to see how many Beckwith veterans who saw action would get promotions. It was rare for our boys and girls not to make an impression and for that, we can deservedly and proudly proclaim they are Beckwith’s Heroes.
Finally, the people who made the decisions to list these individuals on Beckwith’s Honour of Fame are to be commended. There are several individuals listed who never lived in Beckwith Township. However, every single individual had some relation associated with Beckwith Township whether it was a sister, a parent or a job. To decide it was more important to remember them then argue about whether they belonged to Beckwith Township or some other place is wonderful. Cecil Smith is one of the beneficiaries of that decision. Cecil Smith and his family were from England. He immigrated to Canada, passed through Beckwith Twp as a migrant labourer, and lived in Toronto at the time of his enlistment. He died doing trench inspections as an L/Cpl very early on in the war at Mt. Sorrel. He died with no family, no job, and no residence. But lest we forget, Beckwith Township decided to remember his sacrifice. Well done, Beckwith Township.