BX March 15, 1915

Brantford Boys Are Well Provided With Comforts – Staff Sergt. Gillingwater Writes of the Arrival of Canadians in France – Tells of the Cruelty of the Germans to a Seven Year Old Girl.

Staff Sergt. P.R. Gillingwater, formerly in the parcels post department of the city post office, and now a member of the subordinate staff of General Alderson, the general officer commanding the first Canadian contingent, writes an interesting letter to The Expositor. He states that the Brantford men are a fine body and that they are getting along splendidly, having been served with all the necessary comforts on landing in France, to keep out the cold weather. He also tells of meeting a girl who was a victim of the “war” carried on by the Germans, she having had a bayonet driven through her foot. The letter divested of personal matters, reads as follows:

February 21, 1915
France
 
Dear Sir,
 
I have just seen Dr. Cutcliffe. He is looking fine. He came over on the same boat as I did. The other Brantford boys left Bustard Camp a day before we left, but I saw them on landing and spoke to Captain Colquhoun. He looked fine, leading his platoon. I am proud to say that Brantford has a body of men to be proud of. All are anxious to do their little bit, and I expect in time to come Brantford will have a page in history. They are in the 4th Battalion, First Brigade, and the whole of General Alderson's orderlies are from that battalion alone. That proves that we are in the running.  Doesn't it?

I am now in a village out of which the British drove the Germans. The French and Belgians treat us fine. It's a bit hard to understand their lingo, but we make out all right, after a while. The can all say "Canada," very well. There is in this village a girl of about seven years who had a bayonet driven into her foot. This is not war on their part. Do you think so?  This is only one of many outrages I could speak of. Never mind, it's only a matter of time now to finish it all, as I am fully contented in my mind we have the Germans tight, thanks to our motto, "Britons know how to unite and fight, when asked to battle for justice."

We are getting a little better weather now and all the Canadians have been issued with sheepskin coats, mitts, etc., receiving them after landing. They have lots of good food. In fact, I was surprised at the way we were treated. It again proves that England knows how to treat her colonies now. If anyone wants any news as to their relatives I will only be too glad to give it if I can. Of course you understand, it must be in a way that the A.D.C. approves of. I will always be pleased to hear from any of my friends.

Wishing Brantford every success, I am yours sincerely,

Staff Sergt. P.R. Gillingwater,
G.O.C. Subordinate Staff,
First Canadian Forces, British Expedition

BX April 26, 1915

Wounded by Sniper – Bill Dawson, Well Known Brantford Man Picked Off by an Unseen German 

The Expositor is in receipt of a letter from Staff Sergeant Percy Robert Gillingwater, dated in France on April 8, in which he states that W. Dawson, one of the Brantford soldiers with the First Contingent, was wounded by a sniper, but is now out of the hospital and feeling trim again. The letter follows:

April 8, 1915

Many thanks for Expositor just received. It is very interesting to read a paper from your home town these days. We had a long march of about 20 miles on bad roads yesterday. It was an unexpected pleasure. I heard from Jos. Westacott, one of the G.O.C. orderlies, a Brantford man that my pal, W. Dawson, was wounded by a sniper but is now out of the hospital and O.K. again. I have not seen him this last month since we left ------ I bet he was good and sore over it, for to be caught by a sniper is none too pleasant. One gets no chance to get even.

This is a nice place we are in, but expect to remain here for only a few more days. However, we don’t mind rolling on, for each move is one nearer to the finish.

I saw Capt. Thompson and Capt. Cutcliffe when we were on a recent move. Am feeling fine and in excellent health.

Percy R. Gillingwater

The W. Dawson referred to is a well known Brantford man, having been employed as a wine clerk in various local hotels. He was a non-commissioned officer in the 25th Brant Dragoons.

BX June 21, 1915

Brantford’s Brave Lads

Staff Sergeant Percy Robert Gillingwater late of the parcel post staff of the Brantford post office, now on the staff of the First Canadian Division says:

The Expositor,

It’s terrible hot these days. The boys – what is left of them – are resting for a few days about two miles from here. Of course you know of the gallant stand they made, also the brilliant charge under heavy difficulties and terrible odds. I wonder how any came out alive. I was about five miles from the battle line, but fully know what the gas was even at that distance, and never want to witness another sight like it – the line of refugees I saw the next day was a pitiful sight – women with babies in their arms, two and three little mites dragging on behind, and the belongings they saved were very little – one small trundle – aged couples merely dragging along, for the Germans shelled the village and drove them out. Some of the women should have been in bed. This line was about three miles long. One can never realize what a sight it was unless seen. Next the fearful sights in the hospital where I lingered, dreading every minute to see another of my chums come in. Really it made the uncanny lump rise in my throat.

Brantford is mourning, but the name the boys made is worth of a page in history. The blow must be felt by all, but the boys died game and fighting for liberty and justice, and though the sacrifice was great it was not in vain. The Germans have learned the lesson that Canada’s sons are cubs of the British lion, who stand as their mother country has taught them in past history.

As to myself I was not in the battle but we were under heavy shell fire for 11 days, and to prove the effect of the gas two of our signal staff were laid out. On the main road some five miles away two horses and one Frenchman were killed outside our billets. After the battle the boys went down for a rest for a few days and then again to the trenches and under heavy fire again. Brantford paid its toll as you know. The one thing that strikes me is the good spirit our boys are in. I have seen hundreds of wounded, but not in one case did I hear a murmur of pain or complaint, and those slightly wounded and who returned were quite happy. That’s the spirit of our Canadian boys, and that’s what’s going to tell. They may try foul means, but it’s all up with them if ever our boys meet them on equal terms. I have heard it from our leaders that one Canadian is as good as any three Germans on a straight fight, and after what I have seen of the boys I don’t think the Germans would stand up and meet them. It’s “hats off to the Canadian boys,” and I am proud I am serving with them. I have always visited the hospitals to see any of the Brantford boys, and when I have seen them I have done my best for their comfort, but as the hospitals are so far apart and they only stop in them a few hours, I have not seen as many as I would like.

I must bring this to a close, giving my deepest sympathy to those who mourn the loss of my brave brothers, and hoping for speedy recovery of the wounded. I am yours most sincerely,

P.R. Gillingwater

BX July 10, 1915

“Go On You Canadians” Yelled The Durham Light Infantry – Canadians Led at Battle of Langemarck, and Were Backed Up by Gallant North of England Lads – “Let the Bounders Have it,” They Called – Interesting Letter from Staff Sergeant Percy Robert Gillingwater of this City 

“Go on you Canadians, we’ll follow you. Let the bounders have it,” yelled the men of the Durham Light Infantry to the Canadians advancing on the German trenches in the Battle of Langemarck, according to the following letter received at this office from Staff-Sergt. Gillingwater, formerly of the local post office staff, and now with the Canadian divisional staff in Northern France. The sergeant reports all the Brantford men he had met up to June 23 as being in good health and spirits. The letter follows:

June 23, 1915
France

The Editor of The Expositor,

Dear Sir,

Thanks for paper which I received today. It’s fine to get a paper from old Brantford, for its most interesting to read the local news, etc. Of course we get lots of daily papers only one day after the issue, so I keep posted with the doings of our allies. I was down to ---- on Monday to see the Brantford boys. They are looking fine and as brown as a berry. I spent a couple of hours with my chums and quite enjoyed the time. Major Colquhoun is in command of the 4th Battalion now and Brantford is well represented in that battalion by officers and N.C.O.’s. I was with Lieut. A.A. White, from St. Catharines, and he told me quite a lot about the boys at Langemarck. It was with great interest I followed the conversation in reference to the Brantford boys, and he quoted to me a remark he heard at the battle from the D.L. (Durham Light Infantry), viz, “Go on you Canadians, We’ll follow you. Let the bounders have it,” that was in the advance. So you see the British boys think quite a lot of the Canadians. They are just out of the last battle for a few days’ rest. He tells me it’s quite a job to keep the boys back when attacking. They jumped right in and took two trenches, but owing to military reasons had to retire, but not until they had inflicted severe losses on the “baby killers and poisoners.”  But, say, what a change in the battalion. So many new faces, yet one never sees a more happy and contented bunch. If it was not for the heavy boom of the guns one would think it was their usual daily work they were doing. I tried my best to locate Mr. Mason, but sorry to say I was not successful. We are getting some nice weather these days – a little rain, but outside of that I’s grand. I have got a German Mauser rifle and will try and bring it home with me. Anyway, it’s one that won’t be used against us. I have also got a piece of glass from L’Eglise d’ Elverdurghe Church, which was destroyed by the Germans. It was on Sunday that they started shelling this church, about 7 a.m., just as people were at mass, and kept at it for two days, and after they finished, the grave yard was a sight and the church a mass of ruins. One thing one wants to avoid in the battle zone is a church and a Red Cross Hospital, for they make a mark of those. I am sending you a photo of the church before the bombardment. We were about a mile from this church, so we had a good chance to see the bombardment. Everything is going on fine out here and all the troops are healthy and happy, always singing and playing music when going and coming from the trenches. I would like to suggest to friends and relatives of the boys that when sending parcels to enclose a writing pad, and they are handy to carry when on the march. Now I don’t know of any other news to interest you so must close, with kindest regards to all.

Yours sincerely,
P.R. Gillingwater