World War Wednesdays: "Fine and Dandy:" Letters Home from Ellis Sifton

Postcard sent home by Sifton showing soldiers in their Recreation room, which he captioned "Our Recreation rooms look alright don't they," Elgin County Archives

     This week's post was intended to be a follow-up to last week's look at H. W. Cooper's drawings, with a focus on some of the letters in his First World War correspondence. Unfortunately, I was unable to clearly view the letters in order to transcribe them, so we'll have to get a rain check on that one, but I did come across some other correspondence in Elgin County Archives that became another jumping off point. While Ellis Sifton's letters home were in a similar hard-to-read format, they are summarized and contextualized quite nicely by Ted Barris in his book Victory at Vimy: Canada Comes of Age: April 9-12, 1917. I thought I'd include an excerpt from that and intersperse it with some fascinating images that aren't often shared from Ellis's life.

"Unlike many of the others in the 18th Battalion, Ellis Sifton had not received much mail during that first week of April. In fact, when he wrote to his sisters a few days before the attack, he noted that 'there have not been any letters from you people for about ten days.' L/Cpl. Sifton had written to members of his family several times a week from the moment he enlisted in October 1914 and left the family farm near Wallacetown, Ontario, right up to his arrival at Vimy. In training at Wolseley Barracks in London, Ontario, he proudly announced to his sisters, Ella and Millie, that he'd scored twenty-six of thirty-five in target practice, 'third place in our company' and that army life 'seems more a dream than anything else.' He dashed off fourteen letters and six postcards during the battalion's transatlantic crossing, posting them when he arrived at Sandling Camp. 'If the people of Canada realized how serious it is over here,' he wrote, 'they would wake up and do about three times what they are doing.' And he applauded his British hosts because they 'all have a smile for the boys from the maple leaf.'

Photograph from the Sifton family album with handwritten caption on back, "Flash Lawrence Ellis took it," Elgin County Archives

By the fall of 1915, L/Cpl. Sifton was return-addressing his letters according to regulation 'Somewhere in France' or 'Somewhere in Belgium.' He began most letters saying he was 'fine and dandy,' even when the cold, mud, and lice from living in trenches and dugouts could barely be tolerated. He even sugar-coated his references to battalion casualties with 'but we must expect that.' Most of the following year, his 'C' Company of the 18th Battalion worked in reserve in Belgium and France, as Sifton himself helped with the transport horses, wash wagon detail, handling ammunition, and running rations to the forward battalions- what he called 'bomb-proof jobs.' 

A group of people with Ellis Sifton identified in the front row,Elgin County Archives

Sifton's letters reflected his own experience and that of the Canadian Corps soldiers around him. One moment he chafed at Prime Minister Robert Borden's delay in legislating conscription and the next entreated his family to send a coat, gloves, and boots to fend off the elements. Naturally, when the young lance corporal saw French farmers seeding or haying behind the lines, he longed to be doing the same at home in southwestern Ontario. But most of all he hoped 'that the courage will be mine at the right moment if I am called upon to stare death in the face.'

Ellis Sifton's New Testament, with a photo of St. Peter's Anglican Church, Tyrconnell, Elgin County Archives

In the new year at Vimy (he didn't identify where he was), Sifton explained he had suddenly been returned to his old company and had rejoined 'a few of the originals that are left. There have been so many changes.' As gently as he could describe it, the winter weather had turned severe, the regimen more strenuous and despite his hopes of getting a respite in England or Scotland, all leave had been cancelled. The 18th Battalion had served eighteen months in Europe, and though his sisters did not know it, their brother was about to go over the top for the first time against the enemy. In the letter he wrote lamenting no mail just before Easter, as he waited for final assembly in the Zivy Subway, Ellis signed off with the best news he had. 'Do not be anxious if you do not receive any news, as it is not always convenient to write. This is a very short scribble... Good night. Love to all from your loving brother Ellis W. Sifton.' And he added, 'P.S. They have promoted me to sergeant.'..."

Postcard sent home by Ellis Sifton with photo of World War One soldiers in uniform at the changing of the guard. Ellis Sifton is in the photo. Verso: "The old and the new guard. I am in the old guard. This is a picture of my first guard at this camp. June 3rd, 1915. Can you find me? I have forgotten if I sent one home or not," Elgin County Archives

Sifton went over the top with his Western Ontario Battalion in the 2nd Division sector not long after the opening barrage. His commanders had received a call for relief from their sister regiment- the 21st (Eastern Ontario) Battalion at the Black Line. It had taken 106 prisoners, but had also sustained 215 casualties in reaching the next German line of defence. Buoyed by his field promotion to sergeant just days before, Sifton advanced quickly to help reinforce the 4th Brigade's push to Les Tilleuls. But even the fresh troops of the 18th began taking casualties from the German strongpoints. Just 100 yards from the objective, a leading officer in 'A' Company, Lt. W. J. McLean, was killed. Soon after, Lt. P. Jordan had to take over 'B' Company when it lost a commanding officer. Meanwhile, a hidden machine gun had pinned down the men in 'C' Company, including Sgt. Sifton.

Letter from King George V accompanying 1914 - 1915 Star, Elgin County Archives

Between gun bursts, Sifton decided to act alone. He suddenly dashed forward into the enemy trench and overthrew the gun, before its crew could react. He turned on the gunners with his bayonet, killing or wounding every one of them. When a group of Germans charged Sifton from further down the trench, he fended them off by wielding his bayonet and rifle as a club. Sifton was soon supported by other 'C' Company infantrymen. Together they beat back the German counterattack. In the hand-to-hand fighting, however, a wounded German soldier managed to pick up a rifle and shoot Sifton dead.

The twenty-five-year-old farmer from Western Ontario, who had brooded over his own fate, wondered in letters home whether 'courage will be mine at the right moment if I am called upon to stare death in the face,' had found the courage. And though he had died in the rush, Sifton had, in the words of the Victoria Cross citation, 'saved many lives and contributed largely to the success of the operation.'" (76-121)

Photograph from the Sifton Family Photo Album. Photo of family members visiting Memorial at Vimy Ridge bearing the name of Ellis W. Sifton, Elgin County Archives

I hope this post provides a bit of a different glimpse into Sifton's life as we honour the hundredth anniversary of his death this year. Barris's research and book lends some unique insight into his personality and the details of his final weeks, and I recommend checking out this and his other work.
     Thanks for reading, 
Delany (@DLeitchHistory on Twitter)

Memory Mondays: Private Walter Storey

Private Walter Storey

By Sandra Sales

Very little is available about Walter Storey. He was 29 at beginning of war of 1812. He was born in Ireland about 1783, moved to Pennsylvania in 1800 and then to Upper Canada in 1809 with his extended family, settling in the Talbot Settlement on Lake Erie. He farmed and remained single. He died 12 February 1831, and was buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Dunwich Township.

During the War of 1812 he served under:  Captain Leslie Patterson (Walter’s uncle) 1812, 1813, 1814; Captain David Secord 1812; and Captain Gilman Willson 1814. He was entitled to Land Claim Certificate Unit – Flank Company 1st Regiment Middlesex Militia, Vol 24, File 81, pages 381-382.

It is documented that Walter saw action as a member of the militia when it was called out to repel a raid on 20^th May, 1814.  Because the Talbot Settlement was raided 6 times between November 1813 and November 1814, Walter was probably called out numerous times.

It is also documented that he and his mother, Mary (Patterson) Storey, were victims of the Indians and American Raid on Port Talbot on August 16, 1814. He was recorded as living at the northwest end and southwest half of lot 11, concession 10 Dunwich Township. His mother was a “widow” and “elderly”, living on part of lot 11, concession 10 Dunwich. After this August raid, led by Captain Walker, Walter and his mother claimed the loss of an ox, bed clothing, men’s clothing, shirts, new linen, women’s clothing, and household furniture.

The lot on which Walter and his mother lived was granted to Mary Storey in 1808. Sometime after the War of 1812 she donated 10 acres of her land for a church and burial ground. In the autumn of 1827 the Port Talbot community came together to frame, shingle, and furnish St. Peter’s Anglican Church. Col. Patterson, her brother, went by boat to Buffalo to purchase the glass for the windows as well as the lead and oil for the paint and the putty. The extended Patterson family (the Pearces, Storeys and Backuses) each pledged 70 pounds to the project. The church contains a window representing Christ knocking at the door, with the inscription: “In Memory of Mary Storey, grandparent, donor of St Peter’s glebe lands, and Stephen and Ann Backus, father and mother, who with two or three other families erected St Peter’s Church in 1827.” Many members of the extended family are buried there.

Thank you to Sandra Sales for her research and work in honouring our War of 1812 veterans.

Through the War of 1812 Graveside Project, Private Walter Storey and others will be remembered with a ceremony in St. Peter's Anglican Church Cemetery on Sunday, July 12 at 1pm during Backus-Page House Museum's Living History Weekend July 11-12, 2015

Behind The Scenes Sundays

from Angela Bobier, Cultural Manager

I wanted to make mention of three things we do from Backus-Page House Museum that you might not be aware of.  I call them outreach or community engagement.

On Wednesday, Melanie and I spent part of the day at Beattie Haven Retirement Home in Wardsville.  Approximately 40 people were in attendance for a delicious lunch and a guest speaker (me).  Melanie ran all the technical parts of the Power Point presentation while I talked for about 30 minutes at answered questions from the guests.
 
What we showed and spoke of was a brief background of the museum, and a slideshow tour of both the house and the barn so people had a taste of what they would experience when they visit in person.  We also took five of our kitchen and pantry artefacts plus the 20th anniversary society timeline of newspaper clippings and pictures as a small display.  Each guest received a small print of the Moorhouse Doll (artist Jenny Phillips), a copy of the doll's story, a membership/donation form, and some information about the museum and society.  Currently we don't have a set fee for talks like these, but a donation to the museum is always appreciated.  Our focus is to encourage in person visits.  Thank you to Beattie Haven for inviting us.

On our way back from Wardsville, we stopped at Bobier Villa in Dutton to take down the displays that Melanie had put up in July.  One featured our year's events and a reuse of last year's Accounts of a Hard Days Work photographs, graphics, and artefacts.  This showed actual prices of items that were purchased from the Wallacetown satellite store, Hockin and Poole in the 1890's.

    

The second display reused exhibit pieces and introduced a newer artefact for St. Peter's Anglican Church that is located just down the road from our museum and was built in 1827.  We appreciate Bobier Villa letting us fill the two spaces each year as a project for one of our summer student staff and I know they appreciate not having to come up with new ideas themselves.  I hope visitors, residents, and staff enjoy the historical information of the area.

Today my husband, John, along with Tyrconnell Heritage Society President Robert Ellis, Board Member Janice Ellis, and I will be representing the Backus-Page House Museum at Southwold's Remembrance Day Service in Shedden at the Keystone Complex.  I am very much looking forward to hearing Steve Peters' talk about St. Thomas being attacked by the Americans in November of 1814 during the War of 1812.

The committee who organizes this important annual service, contacted me over a year and a half ago for my assistance.  I was happy to help by asking the re-enactor friends and contacts I have made through hosting our past 1812 Events if they would attend.  Kim Lundberg, who re-enacts a First Nations warrior and Roy Winders who re-enacts a Captain of the British Indian Department are placing a wreath in honour of the veterans of the War of 1812.  The Goldsworthy family (who re-enact Americans) and other re-enactors will be attending as well and marching with the veterans.  They will also be staying afterwards to answer questions from the public.  Thank you to the committee for inviting us to participate and thank you to my re-enactor friends for agreeing to attend.  

While you are reading this post, please take a moment to thank all those who have served to protect our rights and freedoms, and those who remained to serve in others way on the home front.

If there is something we can do to assist you or your organization, I'd be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.  A community museum is successful when it contributes to the community as much as the community contributes to it.  Have a wonderful Sunday.
                                                                                                                          Angela
info@backuspagehouse.ca
519-762-3072

Behind The Scenes Sundays

Things staff at Backus-Page House Museum say: "Let's name him Simon Flower Pepe."

This past week we have a very cute park resident hanging around and eating from the kitchen garden.  We had to put up the fences to keep out our new friend.  He (or she) casually walks away and hides under the deck of the carriage house whenever he sees one of us.  So if you visit the museum, be on the lookout for our skunk.  We're trying to get his picture, but he seems to be camera shy. 

The board held their monthly meeting on Thursday and spent about 45 minutes brain storming.  By January, we want to have a five year plan to present to the membership.  It's important to know where we are headed and set goals for the future of Backus-Page.  We focussed on ideas regarding Membership and Donors, Events and Programming, plus Large Projects.  I am very excited with the contributions of volunteers and staff, and encourage you to leave comments on this post with your thoughts.  I will take all ideas to the next board meeting, so tell us what you want to see at Backus-Page House Museum from now until 2019. 

It's family reunion time, so we've had many visitors asking about family records and resources in our records.  We have two reunions booked so far this summer to be held on the museum grounds.  One was held today which is why this post is late as it was my husband's family and we were hosting the event.  It was the 50th Annual Bobier Reunion!!  We were excited to have many attendees who had not been out in years.  The compliments on the Backus-Page grounds, the atmosphere, and the nearness to St. Peter's cemetery, where many ancestors are buried were numerous.  Next Saturday another reunion on site and I hope they have as great an afternoon as we did.  I look forward to meeting them all and touring them around the interior of the museum. 

The internet is still not working properly, as the nearest tower is having issues.  We are able to send and receive emails, but it's hit and miss on when we can and when we can't and how long it takes.  Please have patience if you send us something or we are trying to send you something.  Until next week, I wish you all the best.

Angela Bobier, Cultural Manager