8th Coy / Canadian MGC

[Mark2o]

Hello,

I am interested in hearing from anyone that might have information on the activities for the 8th COY/ Canadian MGC during the time period of September and November 1917.

The reseaon for this question is that I currently have a M.M. & BWM group to the following individual. I do have someone researching him at this time but would like to know more about the unit he was in and the actions/battles that they were involved in during htis time frame. I have also reviewed the unit's war diary and found him mentioned. Still looking for more

141114 Pte. J (John) Aspley, 8 COY / Can. M.G.C

8th Canadian M.G.C.

War Diary dated November 24th 1917

......in training indoors fountain O.R. parading to PERNES for baths. The following were awarded the M.M. (3rd Con Div. ORO 2523 23-11-17) for operations around Passchendaele. 110480 Sergt Robert D., 406916 Lieut Scott.E. 141114 Pte Aspley,J., 413094 Pte Parsons,T.

Can there be more learned from the ORO 2523 23-11-17?

Thanks in advance

mark

[David_Bluestein]

I Dont know how much help I am, but thought you might like to see the medals to another MM from the 8th Coy CMGBde.

My group is to a man named Sjt. Christian who won his MM with the 8th on the Somme, and was later transferred the 15th Coy. and killed at Passchendale.

A link to his group:

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm...casualty=462257

Good luck in your own research, you have a fine group on your hands

David

[Mark2o]

Upon arriving at home this evening I found that the Postman had left a much anticipated package that contained the records for one John Aspley whom I have previously mentioned in above posts. All I can say is that I am very pleased with the results of the research that was done by one Arnold Kay and would recommend him for those with Canadian medals.

John Aspley was born in West Bromwich, Satffordshire England on 3, January 1875. At some point, which I have not researched or confirmed, he immigrated to Canada and was living with his wife, Mrs C.E. Aspley at 41 Cardiff Rd., Toronto, Canada at his time of enlistment on 15, June 1915. He was listed as being 5-7, 165lbs with fair complexion and brown hair and grey eyes. He had two tattoos on both forearms of which one was a Japanese Lady on his left and an Eagle on his right. His listed profession was that of a concrete worker.

According to his records he embarked for England form Halifax on 1/5/16 and arrived Liverpool on 6/5/16 at which time he was transfered from the 36th Bn. to the 86th Bn. on 23/6/16. Shortly thereafter on 18/7/16 he was taken on strength with the 8th Bde. MG Co. and left for the front on 5/8/16.

From there his service record was pretty much the norm (Leaves) until 16/4/17 at which time it appears (hard to read) that he was transfered to Can MG Corp. It is noted subsequently that he was awarded the Miltary Medal for bravery in the field on 23/2/1918 of which Mr. Kay was able to locate the actual certificate documenting the actions for this issuance of which it states the following:

For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the attack on Passchendaele Ridge, 30th Oct 1917, he kept his machine guns in action against the enemy and firing steadily while under exceptionally heavy shell fire. In that he as number 1. in a section covering the advance of the 5th C.M.R. Btn. by direct fire from the vicinity of Woodland Plantation on 30th Oct 1917, did excellent work in helping to beat off counter attacks and in dispersing parties of the enemy. In that he, by his coolness in sticking to his guns at all times was an outstanding example of fidelity to duty under the most trying circumstances.

He was subsequently wounded in action at Arras September 22, 1918 (GSW Right Arm). This wound eventually send him home as he was found to be unfit for further service as he served nerve damage and was discharged from service on 25 / June 1919.

[Borden Battery]

This will give you some leads. Also, review the document "The Canadian Emma Gees" which has also been posted on this site.

*6th Brigade & 2nd Battalion - Canadian Machine Gun Corps

Objective is to collate resources relating to the history of the 6th Brigade Canadian Machine Gun Company, later becoming part of the 2nd Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps, during the First World War, and make them available on the Internet. In addition, the website includes war diary transcriptions, the complete transcription of A History of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps by Lt.-Col. C. S. Grafton, (1938) and other personal letters from the Great War. A Brett Payne website.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~b...c_contents.html

In addition, there is a Canadian Machine Gun Corps User Group on the CEF Study Group discussion forum.

The Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group can be accessed at the following URL address: http://www.cefresearch.com

Regards

Borden Battery

[Borden Battery]

Here is an excerpt from The Canadian Emma Gees regarding the officers of the various companies including the 8th.

"Although the establishment of the Brigade companies had been authorized in October, it was not until 1916 that they came into being, and that was on New Year's Day.

The 1st Brigade Company was mobilized near Mont des Cats; the 2nd near Ploegstreert and the 3rd near Meteren.

The roster of officers in the three companies were:

1st C.M.G. Company - Capt. W. J. A. Lalor, O.C.; Lieuts. J. I. Bundy, A. W. Couler, H. E. Detchon, A. F. Dowling, S. A. Griffin, F. Hotrum, W. H. Scruton, G. T. Scott-Brown.

2nd C.M.G. Company - Capt. T. H. Raddall, O.C.; Lieuts F. Edgar, J. E. Hetherington, N. E. Kitson, J. E. Mathews, C. G. McLean, J. A. Ptolmy, J. J. Sclater, R. McB. Stewart, B. S. Walton.

3rd C.M.G. Company - Capt. E. H. Houghton, O.C.: Capt W. M. Pearce, Lieuts. F. M. Bressey, L. Buchanan, E. W. Brookfield, A. Denholm, J. Kay, H. A. Kennedy, J. M. McEachern, G. K. McBeth, H. G. Pepall, J. S. Thorpe, H. M. Wilson.

The companies were equipped and made ready for the line in the order of their brigades with the exception of the 3rd Company, which was unable to obtain guns for several months.

The machine gun units of the 2nd Division were formed in the same way.

The roster of officers of the three companies upon formation were as follows:

4th C.M.G. Company - Lieut. J. Edwards, O.C.; Lieuts. J. Duncanson, W. J. Forbes-Mitchell, A. D. Gray G. H. J. James, J. Mess, H. J. Price, J. G. Weir, J. F. White, R. W. White.

5th C.M.G. Company - Lieut. S. W. Watson, O.C.; Lieuts. L. H. Bartram, A. C. Bowles, C. V. Grantham, W. H. F. Ketcheson, J. E. McCorkell, C. E. H. Thomas, F. H. Duck.

6th C.M.G. Company - Lieut. T.A.H. Taylor, O.C.; J. Basevi, C. L. Beck, A. G. W. McLean, G. G. White, A. Eastham.

The 3rd Division companies were also formed in the line. The units were organized in March and April and on formation, the following officers were serving:

7th C.M.G. Company - Capt. H. F. Cook, O.C.; Lieuts. H. T. Beecroft, G. O. C. Fenton, F. A. Hale, G. T. Scroggie, W. F. Tobey, W. G. Williams, E. H. Ziegler.

8th C.M.G. Company - Capt. W. M. Balfour, O.C.; S. J. Redpath, P. W. Beatty, C. N. Bennett, J. R. Coull, W. C. Ince, C. W. Laubach, W. N. Moorehouse, H. J. C. Morgan, F. A. Ney, A. W. Sine, H. C. Young.

9th C.M.G. Company - Capt. W.H. Bothwell, O.C.; Lieuts. H. D. Browne, G. W. Beresford, R. C. Cordingly, K. Eager, I. Mackinnon, E. I. H. Ings, L. S. Page, G. Rutherford, R. A. Whittaker.

."

Source: The Canadian "Emma Gees - A History of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps

Lt.-Col. C. S. Grafton, The Canadian Machine Gun Corps Association, London, Ontario, 1938

Pp 42-43

[Borden Battery]

Here is a second excerpt which more closely relates to your interest in the 8th MG Coy, CEF on 29-30 October 1917.

The 3rd Division was again to meet [29-30 Oct 1917] with exceptionally stubborn resistance. Meetcheele was the key to the defences fronting the 3rd and in addition to the pill-boxes the Germans had machine guns in shell holes and snipers in pairs in the same cover and they poured a devastating fire into the scattered ranks of the attacking battalions. The 5th C. M. R. on the extreme left, wading through morass and swamp, went forward to Source and Vapour Farms and secured a footing in Vanity House. On the left, the 63rd Imperials could not get ahead and fought with one flank exposed. The Pats added another stirring but sombre page to their marvelous record in their struggle over 1,000 yards of slowly rising ground, for every step of which advance they paid a terrific price. The 49th, on its left, was sharing that cost, stiffened by the 7th Company machine guns. Headed direct for the fortified positions on Meetcheele Spur, which were spurting a continuous hail of destruction, only two officers were left in the two leading Pats' companies.

"At a moment," writes Ralph Hodder-Williams, historian of the Princess Pats' vivid history, "when it seemed the line must waver or break utterly, appeared Lieut. Hugh McKenzie, D.C.M., of the Brigade (7th) Machine Gunners (himself an old No. 3 Company man) and Lieut. J. M. Christie, D.C.M., and Sergt. G. H. Mullin, M.M., of the Regimental snipers. While Christie made a rush forward on the left, found a good position and covered the advance with his rearly marks-manship, McKenzie dashed from shell hole to shell hole rallying the survivors for a last effort and leading them toward the pill-box. Mc-Kenzie was killed at the head of the men he had inspired with his own magnificent courage, but while he and his party drew the fire, Mullin was crawling up the slope and he actually performed the incredible feat of taking the pill-box single-handed. 'He rushed a sniper's post in front and destroyed the garrison with bombs and crawling on to the top of the pill-box shot the two machine gunners with his revolver. Sergt. Mullin then rushed to another and compelled the garrison of ten to surrender. His gallantry and fearlessness were witnessed by many and, although rapid fire was directed upon him and his clothes riddled by bullets, he never faltered in his purpose and he not only helped to save the situation but also indirectly saved many lives.'

"So it was that Lieut. McKenzie, D.C.M., and Sergt. Mullin won the first Victoria Crosses awarded the Patricias in the war."

The Pats' claim to Lieut. McKenzie may be well understood.

The account given of the exploit by Corporal T. Hampson of the 7th Company in its essential details tells much the same story. This N.C. O. later established his two guns to the right of the Weiltje Road, about midway between Bellevue and Meetcheele, where he could command the left flank. The two guns under Sergt. Howard (later killed) suffered heavily in casualties as they followed the centre of the attack. At night there were but four men left with the two guns. In fact, the four mobile gun crews of the 7th Company, which mus-tered one officer and 27 other ranks, had been reduced to 11 other ranks by nightfall, the rest either being killed or wounded. The two guns of the 8th Company on the extreme left got off much more lightly. They dispersed Germans bringing two machine guns into action near Vine Cottage and caught fleeting glimpses of good targets.

Source: The Canadian "Emma Gees - A History of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps

Lt.-Col. C. S. Grafton, The Canadian Machine Gun Corps Association, London, Ontario, 1938

Pp 87-88