When boys go to war
Stanley Royal was one of the local soldiers who returned home from the First World War. As you know, a large number of lives were lost in that war, men who were Canada’s finest. Many who returned refused to speak of their experiences, which were too terrible to imagine. Stanley Royal, however, was not one of these when he returned home to the family farm on the Sixth Line south of County Road 9. As was the family’s tradition he “neighboured” with the Websters, who were on the Sixth Line south of County Road 9. After Stanley returned safely from the battlefields of Europe, he often spent evenings recounting his war experiences with F.E. and Alice Webster. This couple compiled the stories and made a typewriter copy. It is from that account I bring you, not one of the horror stories, but tales of the early days of enlisting.
“Early in July of 1914, I was working in a factory in Meaford where all factories were in full swing when they suddenly closed down. I had been told there would be a place for me if I went to Tilbury so I went, was engaged and then that closed. From there I tried London and then Toronto but found everything closed. This was just before war was declared. Was it foreknowledge on the part of Canadian industries or all due to a financial crisis?
“Naturally, this was an important factor in deciding men to enlist. When war was declared Kelly Johnston and I enlisted with the 48th Highlanders under Colonel J.A. Currie. After spending two weeks at Long Branch (west of Toronto) we went to Val Cartier, Quebec. We were given a grand send-off before leaving Toronto. We were lauded as brave heroes. Bands were playing, and gifts and farewells were delivered on us.
“At Val Cartier the first contingent was formed with recruits from all over Canada, 33,000 men in all. After the battalions were organized, we were in the 15th. At the conclusion of a month’s training we were taken to Quebec Harbour and embarked on the Megantic. As each boat loaded it sailed down the St. Lawrence to Gaspe Bay. Here we waited four days till the whole convoy of 33 boats arrived. We crossed the Atlantic together three abreast, about one hundred yards apart. We were given a naval escort which increased as we continued our voyage. The Megantic was on the left, leading that line of boats. It was a very fine boat and we travelled second class.
“During the passage we had read to us on three different occasions a list of “don’ts” – looting, showing cowardice in the presence of the enemy, insubordination of a superior officer – every one of them punishable by death. It sounded liked stories of the “boo-man” to scare us. The boys made a joke of it.
“We arrived at Plymouth after 29 days on board. The soldiers who were on fatigue duty were busy unloading the officers’ baggage. Bob Gilpin of Collingwood suggested to me that we get up town by joining the fatigue party. We each took a load of baggage to the dock and found it quite easy to get out of sight among the piles of heavy guns in the naval yard, but were disappointed to find a high stone wall enclosing the docks, with but one gate. As we reached the gate we met our commanding officer, Col. J.A. Currie, returning in a car. He saw us but kindly looked the other way.
“As we were the first Canadians to arrive in England, we immediately attracted much excited attention. A continually increasing crowd of people of all ages followed us as we went about sight-seeing. When we turned into a pub the place would at once be filled to overflowing with curious people trying to get a good look at us. When we offered Canadian money they did not know what to do with it. The bills were paid by our English enthusiasts and we had no need to go thirsty. Before the day was over we became acquainted with two sisters who invited us to their home for dinner. We accepted but felt like bolting when we found ourselves confronted for the first time with a butler and other servants in the livery. Nothing could exceed the courtesy we received. We might have been princes we were treated so royally, so well indeed, that our champagne glasses were not allowed to become empty.
“We remained there until the next day, then, after more sightseeing, we were taken up by the pickets that night. The pickets were under the command of Captain Smith of Toronto. On returning to the Naval Yards where the Naval Marines were drilling, Captain Smith, whom we felt had been picking on us all along, became so officious and offensive that our resentment got beyond control. An argument followed which became close to a fist fight between Captain Smith and Gilpin and Captain Marshall and myself. While this was going on the pickets stood back with fixed bayonets but took no action. This was a very humiliating experience for our officers to be in the presence of Naval officers, who are more than ordinarily strict. We spent the night in the guard house.”
The story goes on and as it turned out they were confined to barracks for two days. Stanley gives a detailed account of their training and life in the trenches in Europe. On November 11, give him a few thoughts along with the others who gave their youth, or their lives, to warfare.
