John Ray Welsford
Private
3rd Battalion
Men of Toronto
Dramatic and bold headlines printed on newspapers across the bustling city of Toronto declared the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, leaving residents surprised and unsure of what it meant for their lives. Initially it changed very little for the youthful residents such as 17-year-old, Torontonian, John Welsford. Though no doubt hearing of major news regarding the war, he remained employed as a chauffeur well dwelling on the famous and lively Dundas Street. Yet within a few years, John had joined the active militia and began courting a Scottish Emigrant, Frances Hutchinson, who he was quite smitten with. In 1916, things changed further for him as the recruiting campaign of the 198th Battalion nicknamed the “Buffs” would finally coax the 19-year-old into volunteering, signing up on March 15th. In January of the following year, the fresh private would finally marry Frances. The wedding was a happy one but the couple had very little time together as he soon departed for England a handful of months later.
The scrapping of the idea of a 5th Canadian Division left John and his fellow “Buffs” quite disappointed as their Battalion was slated to be split up. Fortunately, most the men were drafted into a fellow Toronto unit, the 3rd Battalion. John would join them in the field with 100 fellow men in March of 1918, just as the Battalion was being pulled from the line near Hill 70. During this time the 5’7” Canadian was integrated into the unit and trained daily, practicing mock assaults with tanks and constantly drilling on the rifle range. Following some work parties, the Battalion moved into the line in a reserve position again near Hill 70. It was here John experienced his first artillery bombardment and a German raid a 4:30 am, which killed a fellow replacement who had only survived some 6 hours in the line (1). It conveyed the cruelty and randomness of the war. |
These rotations in and out of the trenches were draining on all the men and often pushed their endurance. In one instance, John was put on the move for 24 hours straight, traversing a total of 54 miles only to be told to stand down. During another stint, the Battalion was split up into Platoons to be guided into the line, 9 out of 16 of the groups being lost for a period due to poor direction (1). This stress coupled with consistent raids and artillery fire certainly proved taxing. But each man found soleless in dreaming of home, John longing to meet his daughter Adelaide who had been born in 1917 well he was in England.
Into the Fog
A swirling and deep fog engulfed the men of the 3rd Battalion who sat prepared in their positions at 2:20 am on August 8th. The browneyes of young John Welsford could barely make out anything in front of him, but he and the rest of the lads knew they could rely on the direction of their Officers, despite hardly being able to see them (1). A salvo of artillery fire and the movement of those ahead signaled the beginning of the assault, with the first wounded reporting positive results, encouraging the Ontario men who were yet to advance (1). At 5:20am the order to advance was given and the 3rd Battalion marched forward single file by Platoon, keeping distance between each Company (1). The dense fog had only grown thicker and no one could see more than 20 yards in front of them, making the march over the previously taken German trenches rather eerie (1). By 6:30am, lead elements of the Battalion approached Morgenont Woods and were met with gunfire from the east side. The Officers looked to launch an assault, but portions of the Battalion had been lost in the fog during the initial advance (1).
Despite lacking full strength, elements of the Battalion were eventually urged on and made an attack on the woods under heavy machine gun fire. When the brave Canadians got within 60 yards of the German trenches, the grey-clad foe began to retreat (1). The Toronto soldiers took the opportunity to exact their revenge, opening up on the enemy with rifle and Lewis gun fire, leaving many Germans killed or wounded (1). Orders were then issued to press on towards the main objectives on the Green Line, the Battalion coming up against dug in Germans on elevated ground (1). It was quickly realized that a frontal attack on the strong points would result in a wholesale slaughter and the 3rd consolidated itself, setting up 12 Lewis guns to provide suppressing fire (1). The hail of bullets and careful assault by the infantry supported by tanks would dislodge the stubborn Kaiser’s soldiers and by the afternoon the Battalion held the objectives (1). The following afternoon John and his fellow soldiers were ordered to advance again, easily taking Beaufort Wood and then Rouvroy (1). They were especially excited to discover a canteen which held cigars in Beaufort Wood, welcome trophies to add to the many captured guns and prisoners taken during the assault on Amiens by the Battalion (1).
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Taking Ox & Union Trenches
The early morning's peace was disturbed as Canadian artillery thundered on enemy positions (1). Flashes of lights briefly illuminated the face of John Welsford, a now veteran soldier, as the 3rd Battalion prepared to advance on August 30th (1). The Germans were withdrawing, but still putting up a fight and had dug into several positions including Ox and Union trenches near the Drocourt-Queant Line, which the Toronto men were to take (1). Officers called out orders and John and Company advanced, initially meeting little resistance (1). When they were within sight of the trenches, the Germans unleashed a salvo of machine gun and rifle fire followed up by grenades (1). Such a storm of bullets and shrapnel caused many causalities but the Canadian soldiers pressed on taking their objectives by brute force (1). Though the Germans were driven out from these trenches, they continued to pepper the 3rd Battalion with sniper fire and machine guns from surrounding positions (1). A and C Companies attempted to quiet the harassment by assaulting positions dubbed Ocean Work and Olive Tree but were repulsed (1). For the remainder of the day they were relegated to enduring artillery fire and snipers, taking cover in the conquered trench lines (1).
Casualties had been heavy, with John being hit in the head by a bullet. It was a severe wound, though he survived and was evacuated by his buddies. The 20-year-old veteran was determined to live, his beloved wife and daughter awaiting him in Toronto, and so he held on (1). Lengthy treatment and the best efforts of the medical staff in France however could do little for his grievous wound (1). As such, John sadly past from his wounds on October 21st, 1918 in a hospital in Abbeville, France where he was buried. Tragically, the brave and beloved Toronto lad would never get the opportunity to meet his daughter.
Sources:
(1) “3rd Bn War Diaries 1918.” The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive, 22 Mar. 2017, qormuseum.org/history/timeline-1900-1924/the-first-world-war/perpetuated-battalions/3rd-toronto-battalion-canadian-expeditionary-force/3rd-battalion-war-diaries-1918/.
(1) “3rd Bn War Diaries 1918.” The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive, 22 Mar. 2017, qormuseum.org/history/timeline-1900-1924/the-first-world-war/perpetuated-battalions/3rd-toronto-battalion-canadian-expeditionary-force/3rd-battalion-war-diaries-1918/.