Sixty two of 293 'Chapleau boys' who served in World War I enlisted in 'Men of the North' the 227th Battalion

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Here is Part Two of Michael McMullen's research into the battalion commonly referred to as 'Men of the North'. In it he focuses on the 62 men who enlisted with the 227th Battalion in Chapleau. It was officially the 227th Oveseas Battalion (Sudbury-Manitoulin-Algoma. Recruiting was underway in Chapleau by April 1916 after the commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel LeP. Jones had visited the community. Michael also notes that 293 Chapleau boys enlisted in Canada's armed forces in World War I, a very significant contribution from such a small community. I extend my sincere thanks to Michael for sharing his research as we mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11, 2018. MJM .. My email is mj.morris@live.ca 

By Michael McMullen

In doing research for the book, The Chapleau Boys Go To War, co-authored by Michael Morris and myself, originally published in 2015, we compiled the names of 283 Chapleau Boys who enlisted in WW1. On-going research has increased this number now to 293. Sixty-two of these enlisted with the 227th Battalion in Chapleau. Based on Library and Archives Canada data, their names, age and employment status at the date of enlistment are: 

Albert, Joseph 20 Painter; Ashtegezick, John 20 Hunter;

Barr, Alex 35 Teamster; Beazer, Frank 28 Ang Missionary;

Bruce, Edward 34 Store Clerk; Chambers, Ennis 20 RR Brakeman;

Chappise, Thomas 19 Trapper; Chum, James 28 Trapper;

Cote, Hector 17 Teamster; Davis, Joseph 38 Trapper;

Davis, Soloman 19 Hunter; Depew, Chauncey 18 Student;

Donnelly, William 19 Clerk; Doust, Joseph 22 Loco Hostler;

Fortier, Joseph 28 Loco Fitter; Fortunato, Giomi 21 Labourer;

Godfrey, James 15 Student; Gutteridge, Thomas 20 Painter;

Hall, Percy 19 Movie Operator; Hartley, Albert 24 Loco Fireman;

Hughes, Samuel 20 Loco Fireman; Hunt, Maurice 32 RR Trainman;

James, George 39 Bricklayer; Jeffries, Charles 27 Trapper;

Johnstone, David 35 Labourer; Kappria, Henry 34 Trapper;

Lavoie, Joseph 21 Lumberman; Leigh, Frank 19 Student;

Lepage, Florian 29 Baker; Linklater, George 22 RR Switchman;

Lozier, Alphonse 23 Lumberman ; McAdam, David 16 Clerk;

McCuaig, James 20 Loco Fireman; McFayden, Ronald 22 Labourer;

McMaster, Henry 18 Painter; McWatch, Robert 18 Trapper;

Meroult, Charles 18 Labourer; Minnesquah, Antoine 26 Hunter;

Morden, Edward 19 Marine Fireman; Morris, Harry 26 RR Conductor;

Moyle, James 30 RR Brakeman; Neeshwahbun, Thomas 38 Hunter;

Osheckinick, John 25 Hunter; Pedanicut, John 26 Hunter;

Perpete, Victor 29 Merchant; Pitts, Frank 40 Accountant;

Redbreast, Jacob 18 Trapper; Ricard, Joseph 18 Trapper;

Samakese, Isaiah 17 Trapper; Samakese, John 32 Trapper;

Saunders, Thomas 17 Trapper; Schroeder, Charles 33 Loco Engineer;

Shawinegabo, Peter 18 Hunter[ Shesheguin, Robert 26 Trapper;

Souliere, David 21 Clerk; Souliere, Walter 29 Trapper;

St. Louis, Cecil 18 Lumberman; Tremblay, Emile 18 Painter;

Wain, Charles 24 Auditor; Wallace, George 30 Loco Fireman;

Wesley, William 18 Painter; Woodard, Bernard 16 Student.

Of these 62, there were seven who died during or soon after the war due to war-related activities or disease/illness suffered during the war: Percy Hall, Charles Meroult, John Pedanicut, Frank Pitts, Jacob Redbreast, Joseph Ricard and Peter Shawinegabo.

Hall, Percy

Private Percy Cameron Hall was born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 28, 1896, and was the son of Walter Davidson Hall of Vancouver, British Columbia. He was a moving picture operator in Chapleau when he enlisted at Chapleau in the Canadian Army, 227th Battalion, on April 30, 1916. He was serving with the Canadian Machine Gun Corps, 1st Battalion, when he died on August 29, 1918 at the age of 21. Private Hall was classified as missing in action and presumed dead, and is commemorated at the Vimy Memorial, Vimy, Pas-de-Calais, France. His name is inscribed on the Chapleau cenotaph located at the Legion Hall, the memorial plaque at St. John’s Anglican Church, Chapleau and on a memorial tablet at the Church of the Ascension Anglican Church, Hamilton, Ontario.

Meroult, Charles

Private Charles Meroult was born in Montreal, Quebec in August, 1898. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Meroult of White River, Ontario. He was living in White River and working as a labourer when he enlisted in the Canadian Army, 227th Battalion at Chapleau on January 9, 1917. He was with the 8th Reserve Battalion when he died on April 23, 1917 at Seaforth Military Hospital in Liverpool, England from cerebral spinal meningitis. He was 18 years old. Private Meroult is buried in the Kirkdale Cemetery, Liverpool, England.

Pedanicut, John

Private John Pedanicut was born on June 24, 1890 in Chapleau, Ontario. He was the son of Joe Meineguess (Memegos) Pedanicut and Mary Pedanicut, of Chapleau, the husband of Sarah Pedanicut and the father of son Austen also of Chapleau. He was living in Chapleau and working as a hunter when he enlisted in the Canadian Army, 227th Battalion at Chapleau on July 7, 1916. He was with the Canadian Forestry Corps when he became seriously ill in late 1917. He was invalided back to Canada from Liverpool, England in late March 1918 and admitted to the Spadina Military Hospital in Toronto in mid-April 1918 at age 28. He died of tuberculosis on June 27, 1918 at the Weston Sanatorium in Toronto. Private Pedanicut is buried in the Chapleau Roman Catholic Cemetery.

Pitts, Frank

Private Frank Pitts was born on May 2, 1876 in Berkshire, England. He was married to Louisa (Moore) Pitts and was the father of Amy (Pitts) Green. He was working as an accountant for the CPR in Chapleau when he enlisted at Chapleau in the Canadian Army, 227th Battalion, on June 17, 1916. Upon arrival in Europe, he became sick and spent much time in hospitals before being invalided to Canada in late 1918. He spent time in Toronto-area hospitals being treated for stomach cancer before being discharged in early 1919. Private Pitts died on March 15, 1922, at the age of 45, and is buried in the Chapleau Protestant Cemetery. His name is inscribed on the memorial plaque at St. John’s Anglican Church, Chapleau.

Redbreast, Jacob

Private Jacob Redbreast was born on January 1, 1898 at Brunswick Post, Ontario. He was living there and working as a trapper when he enlisted at Chapleau on June 29, 1916 in the Canadian Army, 227th Battalion. His mother Susan Redbreast was at Brunswick Post and a sister Harriet and a brother Robert lived in Chapleau. He was serving with the Canadian Forestry Corps, Base Depot, and had just been scheduled to be invalided back to Canada when he died of tuberculosis on August 24, 1918 at age 20. Private Redbreast is buried at Lenham Cemetery, Lenham, Kent, England. His name is inscribed on the Chapleau cenotaph located at the Legion Hall and on a memorial tablet at the Church of the Ascension Anglican Church in Hamilton, Ontario.

Ricard, Joseph Albert

Private Joseph Albert Ricard was born in Moose Factory, Ontario on February 8, 1898 and was the son of Mrs. Caroline Shesheguin of Missanabie, Ontario. He was living in Missanabie working as a trapper when he enlisted in the Canadian Army, 227th Battalion at Chapleau on June 12, 1916. He was with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (2nd Central Ontario Regiment) when he died of wounds suffered in action on August 29, 1918. He was 20 years old.Private Ricard is buried at Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery near Ligny-St. Flochel, Pas-de-Calais, France.

Shawinegabo, Peter

Private Peter Shawinegabo was born on January 12, 1898 in Biscotasing, Ontario and was the son of Ignace and Josephine Shawinegabo of Chapleau. He was living in Chapleau and working as a hunter when he enlisted in the Canadian Army, 227th Battalion at Chapleau on July 20, 1916. He was with the 227th Battalion when he died on March 26, 1917 at Hamilton from acute pneumonia at age 19. Private Shawinegabo is buried in the old Chapleau Roman Catholic Cemetery.

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Chapleau recruits for 'Men O' the North' the 227th Overseas Battalion in World War I a significant achievement for small isolated community

As we prepare to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11, Michael McMullen, my co-author of 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' shares his research into the battalion commonly referred to as 'Men of the North' which had a significant Chapleau connection. It was officially the 227th Oveseas Battalion (Sudbury-Manitoulin-Algoma. Recruiting was underway in Chapleau by April 1916 after the commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel LeP. Jones had visited the community. The  story continues next week. Thanks for sharing it Michael. MJM. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

By Michael McMullen

The 227th Overseas Battalion (Sudbury-Manitoulin-Algoma) with the nickname “Men of the North” or “Men O’ the North” was one of many new battalions formed in 1915-1916 by the Canadian Army for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in World War 1. It was organized in March 1916 and based in Sault Ste. Marie. Its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Hugh Lepailleur (LeP.) Jones, came from the Sault Ste. Marie-based 51st (Soo Rifles) Regiment. Many from Chapleau enlisted in the 227th Battalion.

With the formation of battalions across the country, an active program of recruitment began including recruitment posters and battalion officers visiting towns and villages. Politicians, community officials, newspapers, church leaders and others pressured men to enlist, promoting patriotism and the need to help the allied cause. In some instances, it could be argued that men were almost being shamed into enlisting.

The first recruit in the 227th was Robert Walker of Sault Ste. Marie, who enlisted on March 14, 1916. He was 34 years of age and worked as a bookkeeper. Over the next 13 months approximately 1150 volunteered and completed the recruitment application to join the 227th. The standard recruitment form, titled Attestation Paper - Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force, was a two page document, which required the recruit to provide personal and background information and to submit to a physical examination. There were five sections requiring signatures.

Declaration to be made by man on attestation

The recruit declares that he has answered all questions truthfully and agrees to serve in the CEF. The signature of the recruit and the signature of a witness are then required.

Oath to be taken by man on attestation

The recruit pledges to be faithful and bear allegiance to King George the Fifth and successors. His signature and the signature of a witness are required.

Certificate of Magistrate

A magistrate or Justice of the Peace reviews the questions and answers with the recruit for complete understanding and confirms that the recruit has signed the Declaration and the Oath. The recruit and the magistrate sign this certificate.

Certificate of medical examination

A medical doctor determines if the recruit is “fit” or “unfit” to serve in the CEF and signs off on his evaluation. The recruit must be found to be “fit” to be accepted into the CEF.

Certificate of officer commanding unit

The correctness of the recruit’s attestation is confirmed by the signature of the commanding officer.

The majority of enlistments took place in Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. Active recruitment took place at many other northern locations in the 227th regional area, including 

Webbwood, Blind River, Thessalon, Little Current, Massey, Gore Bay and Chapleau. However, in 1917, most enlistments were being carried out at a barracks in Hamilton where the 227th relocated activities for the winter of 1916-1917, and Parry Sound. The last enlistment for the 227th was Victor William Dunn, aged 18, a customs clerk from Parry Sound, who ironically enlisted in Hamilton on April 3, 1917.

Recruiting was underway in Chapleau in April 1916 after 227th commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel LeP. Jones had paid a visit to the community. Immediately after the visit, the Chapleau Citizens Recruiting Committee was formed. Members included: Rev. Father Romeo Gascon, Rev. P.R. Soanes, Rev. G.W. Lynd, T.J. Godfrey, V.T. Chapple, Dr. J.J. Sheahan, J.B. Dexter, P. Downey, A.R. Lauder, W. McLeod, R. Levie, J.H. Bickett, William McMullen, (Michael's grandfather), D.O. Payette, Ed Pearson, L. Barker of Biscotasing, Adelard Lafrance of Missanabie and Chapleau, Joe Depew of White River and Frank Pitts as secretary. Lieutenant William Lyness, former chief of police in Chapleau, who was living in North Bay, was transferred to the 227th in order that he could return to Chapleau to assist in the formation of a platoon.

William Lyness

The first recruit to sign up in Chapleau was James Harold Morris (grandfather of Michael Morris and great uncle of Michael McMullen), who completed his attestation form on April 19, 1916. He was 26 and a railroad conductor. By the end of July, 56 enlistments had been processed in Chapleau with another six to come later for a grand total of 62. It was quite an achievement for a small, isolated community of about 2,000 people, although some of the volunteers came from nearby communities such as Missanabie, Brunswick Post, Biscotasing and White River. The Chapleau platoon at this time included: Lieutenant W.A. Lyness, Sergeant Lorne Nicholson, Corporal Harry Morris, Acting Corporal Joe Fortier, Lance Corporal M.L. Hunt, Corporal W. Davis, and over 50 privates. The last recruit of the 227th to be processed in Chapleau was Charles Meroult, an 18-year old labourer, who enlisted on January 9, 1917.

For the completion of attestation forms in Chapleau, the witness for the Declaration and Oath was frequently Lieutenant William Lyness, for the Certificate of Magistrate, Thomas J. Godfrey, and for the Certificate of medical examination, Dr. J.J. Sheahan. Lieutenant-Colonel LeP. Jones as commander of the 227th signed the Certificate of the officer commanding unit.

After limited training and conditioning activities at Chapleau, members of the Chapleau platoon departed for Camp Borden in mid-August 1916 where the 227th was mobilizing for its war effort. The troops prepared, trained and drilled there and in Hamilton until early April 1917. In Snapshots Of Chapleau's Past, George Evans noted that on Saturday, August 12, 1916, the First Chapleau Platoon of the 227th Sudbury, Manitoulin, and Algoma Overseas Battalion, commonly called ”Men O’ The North,” paraded from the YMCA building on Lorne Street, down Birch Street, over the tracks, to the railway station. Vincent Crichton in Pioneering in Northern Ontario described the event as “a red letter day.” He added: “The Town Band led the way and the whole town turned out to support the ‘Men O’ The North’as they set out to do battle with ‘the Hun’ in fields of northeastern France. Six officers, fifty-three enlisted men, a bandsman and two buglers marched in full gear to the cheers of the patriotic people of Chapleau …”

Of the total number of 227th enlistments who made it to Camp Borden, some were subsequently deemed unfit for duty, which covered a variety of medically–related criteria and performance issues, some were severely injured or possibly killed during accidents, some died of illness/disease and some deserted. A Guide to Sources Relating to Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force prepared by Library and Archives Canada indicates that the 227th had 28 officers and 783 other ranks when the battalion prepared to go overseas. They embarked from Halifax on April 10, 1917 on the HMT Carpathia and disembarked at Liverpool, England on April 22, 1917. The next day, April 23, 1917, the 227th was transferred to the 8th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe, England. The war had begun for the 'Men O' the North'.

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Nicholson generosity left Chapleau with 'most elegant and distinctive of all Royal Canadian Legion properties in Canada'

Royal Canadian Legion hall Chapleau

Lt. Lorne Weller Nicholson was killed in action just one week before the armistice that ended World War I on November 11, 1918.

The Toronto Star of November 26, 1918, in his obituary said, "Lieut. Nicholson went overseas with the 227th Battalion, 'Men-of-The- North. He was transferred to the 4th C.M.Rs and went to France in 1917. 

The Star story continued: He was wounded with shrapnel in January of this year (1918), but recovered quickly, not leaving his battalion. He was wounded again in April, and was in a Canadian hospital in France when it was bombed and more than 300 lives lost.

"He was transferred to the Prince of Wales Hospital in London, where after three and a half months, he fully recovered, returning to his battalion on September 29. He was in the lines continually from that time until just one week before the armistice was signed when he made the supreme sacrifice".

Lorne Weller Nicholson was the only child of George Brecken and Charlotte (Weller) Nicholson On April 19, 1920, the St. John's Memorial Hall, first called Parish House, which his parents had built, was officially opened.

As George Evans once wrote "It is significant that the donors of the building did not put their names on the monumental inscription: they were content that the world remember them simply as the father and mother of Lt. Lorne W. Nicholson."  

It reads: "St. John's Parish House. In memory of Lt. Lorne W. Nicholson and all those who with him voluntarily gave their lives in the Great War. Erected by his father and mother A.D. 1919", and at the bottom of it, the words from the Gospel According to John, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends". (John 15:13)

Mr. Nicholson was the first reeve of Chapleau serving from 1901 to 1913, and at the time the hall was opened was the Member of Parliament for East Algoma , and Mrs. Nicholson had been one of the first school teachers in Chapleau.

Some of those participating in the memorial service at St. John's Anglican Church and official opening at the hall included  Rev. John Nelson Blodgett, Rector of St. John's Anglican Church; Rev. Dr. Robert John Renison, later Bishop of the Anglican Church diocese of Moosonee; Rt. Rev. John George Anderson, Bishop of Moosonee; Reeve Max Brunette, Township of Chapleau; Rev. George Prewer and Rev. White.

Lt. -Col. C. H. LeP. Jones , the commanding officer of 227th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and Major D.M. Brodie also participated.

Ian Macdonald, retired head of the department of architecture and professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba, who has researched and written extensively on Chapleau buildings kindly agreed to let me share some of his thoughts about the building, now commonly referred to simply as "The Legion".

"A building as distinctive and prominent as the Nicholson Hall accurately reflected the public honour for war sacrifice, military service, veterans and the Union Jack that the World War I vets fought under. The Victorian gothic revival style of the building, which is closely associated with monarchism, reminds us of the significant cultural role of architecture and the British Dominion that we were at the time," Ian wrote.

"The Canadian Parliement buildings were also built in the same style to echo the architecture of Westminster and provide a permanent reminder of our British heritage."

"The Legion Hall is formally organized around a central axis, and the gothic revival windows, doors and details are what most individuals would associate with a religious building," Ian noted.

In fact, when I googled Chapleau Legion Hall recently, a photo popped up on a web site and whoever posted it, thought it was a church. A Chapleau person had posted a correction in the comments section.

Ian also speculated on what the Legion in Chapleau might have built, had it not been for the philanthropic act of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson, albeit that it was first given to St. John's Anglican Church as a parish house.

"There are plenty of examples of other Legion facilities in small Canadian communities to provide an idea of what might have been", Ian wrote, adding that the Nicholson generosity "has left Chapleau with what is probably the most elegant and distinctive of all Royal Canadian Legion properties in Canada. It is clearly the most sophisticated building of its time in Chapleau."

By the 1930s and the onset of the Great Depression, St. John's was no longer able to maintain the hall, and it was subsequently closed and turned over to the municipality. Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion rented it for some years until 1955 when B.W. "Bubs" Zufelt was reeve, the Legion took ownership of the building. Mr. Zufelt was made a life member of the branch for his efforts.

On November 11, Remembrance Day, Chapleau will once again "remember them" including Lt. Lorne Weller Nicholson and all those who gave their lives in World War I, World War II, Korea and NATO service.

My thanks to Ian Macdonald and Doug Greig for their assistance. My email is mj.morris@live.ca