Arthur Leonard Bishop

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit at enlistment:

Middlesex Regiment, 2nd Battalion

Force:

B.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Toronto, Ontario - Unknown Cemetery

Awards or decorations:

Order of St. Sava, 4th Class, Legion of Honor, Mentioned in Despatches

Commemorated at:

Grace Anglican Church, Victoria Public School Honour Roll

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

145 St. Paul Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

145 St. Paul Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 29977
Date: March 9, 1917
Honour or Award: Order of Saint Sava, 4th Class
Name: Arthur Leonard Bishop (Lieutenant)
Unit: 2nd Middlesex Regiment

London Gazette: 30043
Date: May 1, 1917
Honour or Award: Legion l’Honneur. Croix de Chevalier
Name: Bishop, Arthur Leonard (Lieutenant)
Unit: 2nd Middlesex Regiment

BX June 26, 1915

Mentioned in Despatches – Lieutenant Arthur Leonard Bishop, City, R.M.C. Graduate Honored for Bravery at the Front

Mr. Frank Bishop, St. Paul’s Avenue, Brantford, has received a cablegram from his son, Lieutenant Arthur L. Bishop, in which he stated that the wound which had been inflicted on his eye, necessitating its removal, was healing, and also that he had been “Mentioned in Despatches” by Field Marshal French for bravery in action.

Lieutenant Bishop, who is a graduate of Ridley College, St. Catharines, and the Royal Military College, Kingston, received a commission in the Imperial Army in the Middlesex Regiment, 2nd Battalion, and at Fromelles, in France, on May 9, was wounded and later lost his right eye. At the present time he is convalescing in a London, Eng., hospital, where a number of his R.M.C. comrades are also stationed.

Lieut. Bishop will remain in England until the late summer, early fall, at which time he may return to Canada and complete his final year at the Kingston Military College. Through the loss of his eye, Lieut. Bishop will see no further service in the field, and it is thought that he will now resume his studies as electrical engineer.

BX May 10, 1917

Legion of Honor for Captain Arthur Leonard Bishop – French Government Recognizes His Bravery at Neuve Chapelle

Captain Arthur Leonard Bishop, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Bishop, of this city, has been awarded the French Legion of Honor for distinguished work in the battle of Neuve Chapelle, which occurred just a little over two years ago. He had previously received the Order of Savoy from the Serbian Government for work in connection with the British mission in Serbia.

He was a graduate of Kingston Military College, and was with the Imperial forces at Neuve Chapelle, through which he came unscathed, although his work lay in dangerous quarters, as shown by the recognition now given it. Just following the battle came that of Fromelles, at which Capt. Bishop lost the sight of one eye, this being two years ago today. His brother, Capt. Leonard Bishop, with the C.M.R., was also highly complimented for his work.

Captain Arthur L. Bishop is still with the 2nd Middlesex Battalion.

BX December 22, 1914

Snipers the Chief Worry of Soldiers at the Front – Brantford Officer Who Has for Some Time Been on Firing Line with English Regiment Sends Interesting Account of His Experiences to His Friends

Major R.W. Leonard, of St. Catharines has received another very interesting letter from his nephew, Lieut. Arthur Bishop of Brantford, who is with the Second Middlesex Regiment at the front in France, and has already seen much active service in the present war. Lieut. Bishop says:

2nd Lt. A.L. Bishop
2nd Middlesex Regt, 23rd Infantry Brigade,
8th Division, B.E.F.

Dear Uncle,

We are back in billets again for three days, having been in the trenches the last three. Nothing very exciting happened as we have taken the defensive generally for the centre, so it is simply a sit tight job for some time unless the situation changes.
We were shelled all day yesterday but no casualties. On Monday C.M. Harvey, one of the Lieuts., in my company and a sterling chap, was killed by a sniper. We are all feeling out about it, as he was a prime favorite.

The snipers are the very devil. My platoon had rather a hard time. Our trench ran at right angles to the general line, to a farm house into which the Germans were, so we were only 40 yards from them and all night long these "Jaeger snipers” kept potting away from the roof, although our artillery constantly pounded them. There were a great many in rear, also in hollow trees and hay stacks. The W. Yorks caught one running across a field wrapped in a sheaf of straw, and promptly did him up. We caught two in our billet this morning, and there is no shrift for them at all. The nights in the trenches are awful. No room, and cold as blazes, so that is why I asked Mr. Hughes to cable you to send me a pair of larrigans, which will be excellent with several pairs of socks, as they are also waterproof.

Another chap and myself have just come back from ---- a mile away, which is all in ruins. We borrowed a couple of lamps there, as every shop is broken open, and one can walk in and take anything. We could have brought some beautiful things, but being in a friendly country, one does not feel the same in taking valuable things.

We were sniped at from a house, and soon found cover but having foolishly not taken any fire arms; it was not advisable to chase the brute up. The women here are just as bad as the men, and one gets awfully charry of everyone one meets. I am writing to Mills & Co., of Kingston, for a pair of fur gloves and a cap, and will take the liberty of telling them to send the bill to you.

Everything in Ruins

The churches, hospitals and houses in the large towns near here are all in the same state. Simply walls and blackened stones. It will take years to set right all the damage done.

You cannot conceive living at home where all is quiet, what a war like this means. Wholesale destruction and damaging things for the mere love of striking terror seems to be the one idea of the Germans. The inhabitants in some of our past billets have told us the most heart-breaking stories of the cruelty and rotten practices that the Germans have done as they occupied all this country after the retreat in August. I have no trouble in conversing with the people; in fact I am getting quite fluent, much to the amusement of the rest of the chaps. They all say that they won't let me leave the regiment, although I haven't said a word about it.

Not Comfortable Quarters

I can imagine that you are awfully fed up with things as you said in your letter that all the chaps were leaving, but I think that if you were here you would not enjoy it very much, especially as we are to sit tight until the Russians do the trick, I believe, and the trenches in the winter are awfully uncomfortable, but we don't grouse a bit, although everyone thinks a lot of the good time we will have when this is over to make up for what we are missing. Nobody, or very few, are carrying swords now, they are practically useless in the trenches. The trenches are only 18 inches wide, to prevent effect of shell fire and Jack Johnson's. At ---- a week ago I had a glorious opportunity of seeing the effect of J.J.'s. The battalion on our right, 150 yards away, was heavily shelled and several of the J.J.'s passed over. When they break the noise is terrific, and huge clouds of black smoke and dirt are thrown up. One landed in the Dorset's trench and, of course, killed all in it.

Enjoying The Experience

Mr. Hughes sent me this note paper which is most welcome. Mother sent me a clipping of the graduating class of R.M.C. and also Hales's enclosure in your letter. It is hard to believe that all but seven are or will be over here, but I think it is splendid and I don't regret taking a commission a bit. It is a glorious life and we have a glorious time, but we are all eager for a good dust up, for as yet it has been simply waiting to be attacked and we got that last week in the other country.

The men in this regiment are awfully fine, recruited from the dives of London and disciplined abroad they make spanking soldiers. Our chief trouble is with the reservists of whom we have some 100 in the battalion. To show you how nonchalant they are, yesterday in day light two slipped out of the trench on my left flank into this farm I spoke about before where the G.'s were only 200 yards away and brought back two chickens and a peacock and armfuls of wood and were fired on all the time without a hit. They thought it was a grand lark. The poultry was very good when cooked, but very, very thin.

Watches Are Acceptable

If you want to give me something of great use for Christmas a watch would be excellent. My wrist watch has absolutely gone west owing to several times being soaked in rain and mud and one wants to know the time at night in the trenches. A luminous face is no good as the light in the day time in the winter here is hardly strong enough to keep it luminous. We only have eight hours of light and haven't seen the sun for days. What I thought of was a watch with a chime in or something similar to be carried in the tunic pocket with a strap, this protecting it from mud, but a chime watch is so frightfully expensive. Besides you might pick up something which you think would be better and cheaper.

There are now three out of four permanent battalions of the Middlesex on active service. In all there are 15 battalions, three in Kitchener's army and the rest territorial’s all abroad. It is the largest regiment in the British Empire, but of course the four permanent battalions are the best of the 15.

I believe the ninth division is at our old camp at Winchester and the Canadians will not be here until January, although Sir John French, in a despatch to the field forces last week said, “We hope soon to welcome the Canadian troops and are sure they will acquit themselves true sons of the Empire." I thought it rather fine.

Yours
Arthur

BX January 16, 1915

Letter From Lieutenant Arthur Leonard Bishop – A Former Brantford Boy Writes About His Experiences in the Trenches

Dr. Miller, of Bishop Ridley College, St. Catharines, received the following interesting letter from Lieut. Arthur Bishop, a former Brantford boy, who is with the forces at the front:

December 23, 1914
In the Trenches
23rd Infantry Brigade, 8th Division
B.E.F.

My Dear Mr. Miller,

In one of the letters from home it is mentioned that the old boys were sending out Christmas cards and asking for my address. It hasn't arrived yet, but I don't think any harm will be done if I write before it does come. We have been out here about two months now and have been continually moving up and down the line and in the trenches. The Germans have been very persistent and have been attacking at regular intervals, all of which we have managed to squash. Their trenches are only 40 yards in front of ours, and each has wire entanglement, or some improvised obstacle in front. Often bits of agricultural machinery from the ruined farms round about. We take all the doors, etc., to use as roofs for our dugouts, and also the straw. It pays to be as comfortable as possible as the weather has been wet and cold all the time and the mud knee deep. Opposite us are the 8th and 13th Bavarians, permanent troops, and they are excellent shots. The moment we stick up our periscope there are several after it. Many amusing incidents have occurred with them. But I am afraid what is amusing to us out here wouldn't be seen in the same light by people at home, as conditions are a bit different. A remarkable thing occurred with them the other day. Both sides attacked and there were many casualties and their trench changed hands twice. Next morning one of our officers, seeing a wounded man in front, advanced to him, one of their officers came towards us. Soon all the troops were in the middle shaking hands and swapping souvenirs. They came into our trench for a smoke and we went to theirs, changed wounded and dead and then returned to our respective trenches. That night we were at it hard again. They were Bavarians and hate the Kaiser and said they wished it was all over as they were fed up. It is remarkable when one thinks of it. When I speak of "our officers" and "our trenches" I mean the regiment we relieved. My own regiment was not in the trenches that day, but on the next. The Bavarians tried the same thing again with us when we were on. But we weren't having any. Their artillery opposite us has been very quiet lately. In November we got it quite heavily from them though. Their Jack Johnson's make an awful row and are very dangerous. At present they have a trench mortar, which is a wicked affair. We use grenades, though, which are none to healthy. Of operations I can tell you nothing. The censors might not like it. It is a magnificent life, and I enjoy it immensely as I am sure all old Ridleys will when the Canadians arrive.

I understand that there is only one more chap besides myself of our R.M.C. class out here at present. But I think that as only three of the whole class hasn’t taken commission it is splendid.

Arthur L. Bishop

BX May 18, 1915

Lieutenant Arthur Leonard Bishop Has Lost Eye

The unwelcome tidings arrived in the city yesterday that the wound which Lieutenant Arthur Leonard Bishop, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bishop, received over the eye, while fighting with his regiment the Second Middlesex, at Aubers Ridge, has necessitated the removal of the optic, the operation having been performed successfully at the hospital in Boulogne.

A cablegram was received in the city a few days ago announcing that Lieut. Bishop had been wounded seriously, but not dangerously, in the eye, and its removal will come as a great shock to his many friends in Brantford. Lieut. Bishop is a graduate of the Royal Military College, Kingston, and of the Bishop Ridley College, St. Catharines.

BX September 19, 1914

Lieutenant Arthur Leonard Bishop and Lieutenant Arthur Hope Stratford Waiting for Orders

Lieutenant Arthur Leonard Bishop, a Royal Military College Cadet, who will receive an Imperial commission and Lieutenant Arthur Stratford, who also will receive a commission under the same circumstances, are awaiting receipt of these commissions and orders to report to their regiment in the old land. There is a likelihood of Lieut. Bishop leaving on Monday for the Old Land, receiving his instructions there.

BX January 2, 1915

Gift to Troops

Ogilvie, Lochead and Co., wired a cable letter over G.N.W. Telegraph company wires to their representative in London to send 20 dozen pairs of socks to Lieutenant Arthur Leonard Bishop, now at the front, through the kindness of Mr. Frank Bishop, and a number of friends in Brantford. These are being sent as New year’s gift to the members of the company with which his son is connected, and it is expected were delivered at the front on New Year’s day.

BX August 31, 1915

Lieutenant Arthur Leonard Bishop is on Furlough – Bright and Cheery, Despite the Loss of an Eye, Lieut. Bishop is Confident that British Will Win – Middlesex Regiment Had Only Two Officers and 12 Men Survive First Few Months

As bright and cheery as though he had just returned from a happy holiday outing, Lieut. Arthur Bishop, in company with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bishop, returned to the city yesterday afternoon on several months’ leave of absence from the front.

Wearing civilian clothes, but bearing the stamp of the British officer, Lieut. Bishop, with characteristic soldier reticence consented to chat for a few moments with an Expositor representative, and from first to last intimated that he did not want any fuss or feathers made over the little part he had taken in the war.

Lieut. Bishop is a graduate of high standing of the Royal Military College, where he received his commission, and at the outbreak of hostilities went with several of his school companions to England, where they secured commissions in the British Imperial Army, Lieut. Arthur Stratford, son of Mrs. Joseph Stratford, Brantford was among these officers and was granted a subaltern’s rank in the Bedford Regiment, while Lieut. Bishop was posted in the Middlesex Regiment. From September till November, preliminary training was conducted in England, before the Middlesex men were sent across channel in the Fifth Brigade. Through stiff engagements at Ypres (known to the British soldiers as ‘Wipers’) Neuve Chapelle, Givenchy and other well known battle fields, Lieut. Bishop had a plenteous taste of the greatest of world wars before the first Canadian troops arrived at the front in February. Between February and May 9, his activities have been closely linked with those of the Canadians, and during that period his regiment has been re-officered three times. Only two officers and 12 men of the original Middlesex Regiment which crossed to France in November survived the terrible grueling to which the British Regiments were subjected during the first fall and winter months of the war.

At Fromelles on May 9, Lieut. Bishop was wounded by a gunshot in the right eye, making a nasty gash in his forehead and causing the loss of the optic. For several days his condition was considered exceedingly serious, but he has nothing but the kindest reference to make to the hospital officials in Boulogne, where he was quartered for some time, and later to those in one of the military hospitals in London, England. Since his convalescent stay in the London hospitals, the Brantford officer has remained in the British metropolis and in other parts of England, enjoying the best of good times. On the arrival of his brother, Lieutenant Leonard Francis Bishop in England, the two officers were together for several days until the younger brother set sail on S.S. Missanabie for Quebec on Saturday, August 21.

Lieutenant Arthur Bishop has been granted several months leave of absence, and expects to remain in Brantford until October, when he will return again to the headquarters of his regiment in England. He is not certain at the present time, just what kind of work he will be allowed to do on his return but is hopeful of again getting into the trenches. It is known that the local officer is very highly esteemed by his superior officers, he being mentioned in despatches for his splendid services, and it is probable that he may be granted some appointment on the staff for the balance of the war.

In regard to the war itself, Lieut. Bishop is an optimist. “We’re going to win” were the characteristic words of the young officer and he evidently expressed the belief of those with whom he had come into contact, when he added that the war is a war of economy and Britain with her navy must win out in the long run. In regard to the progress of the Allies and the possibility of the big drive of the British taking place this fall, he said that he had been able to keep closely in touch with friends at the front and though he might be able to express some opinion in that connection, he naturally did not consider it wise to do so.

BX September 30, 1968

Head of Firm, Brantford Man Dies in Metro

Arthur Leonard Bishop, chairman of Consumers’ Gas Co, died Sunday in Toronto after a long illness. He was 73.

Born in Brantford and educated at Ridley College and the Royal Military College at Kingston, he served in Belgium and France with the Middlesex Regiment during the First World War.

He joined the consumers’ Gas Board in 1938 and became president in 1948.

He is survived by his wife, Marty, two daughters, Mrs. Peter Crassweller and Mrs. Peter Perry and two sons, Michael and David.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday in Toronto.