Most recent news (last year or two) - for previous news updates, please click News Archive
Latest News:
19th September 2023
Thanks are extended to long term contributor and 4CMR researcher, David Kavanagh, for providing a biography for 113371, Pte. Harry Loxley. Orginally an 8th CMR man, Harry was transferred to the 4th CMR in the divisional restructuring of January 1916. Surviving the 4th's blackest day, the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel' on June 2nd 1916, Harry, taken as POW that morning, was not repatriated until two weeks after the end of the war.
10th March 2023
A warm welcome to Ann Henderson, who steps up alongside her grandfather, Lt Frederick Watt, a former 111th & 35th Battalion man, who was transferred to the 4th CMR in late November 1916. Though wounded at Vimy and subsequently discharged, Frederick did survive the war and was previously represented here by his late daughter, Joann. Thank you, Ann.
Also welcome to Scott Bradley, who represents his great uncle, 109149, L/Cpl Stanley Longmoor, who as a 4th CMR "original" signed up in November 1914. Sadly, Stanley was lost in the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel' in early June 1916. Thank you, Scott.
17th December 2022
A warm welcome is extended to Leo Belval, representing 144993 Pte Andrew Mesick, who served as Pte Howard Martin. Originally assigned to the 77th (Ottawa) Battalion, Andrew was transferred to the 4th CMR in March 1916, but sadly was lost on 2nd June of that year in the 4th's blackest day, in the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel', near Ypres (now Ieper), Belgium.
28th November 2022
Thanks are extended to 4CMR researcher David Kavanagh for representing Croix de Guerre medal recipient 109699, Sgt. Arthur Yeates. Arthur was a Barnado's Boy, sent overseas to Canada from England for a better chance at life. He was a farm labourer at aged 15 and when he signed on was amongst the original intake for the 4CMR. He quickly rose through the ranks from Private to Sergeant. Though with ill health after returning home, Arthur survived the war.
13th June 2022
A warm welcome is extended to Roy Sullivan for representing 400907, Pte. John Hatch, a former 33rd Battalion man who was transferred to the 4th CMR on 26th May 1916, only to be lost exactly a week later in the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel', near Sanctuary Wood, Ypres (now Ieper), Belgium.
12th April 2022
A hearty welcome is extended to Diego Gonzalez and Verna Warden for representing 633088 Pte Frederick Lauzon, a former 154th Battalion man who was transferred to the 4th CMR in November 1916. Although Fred was wounded at Arras, by shrapnel, he survived the war. And here's a special hello and thanks to Debbie Gonzalez for facilitating the contact with 4cmr.com.
3rd April 2022
A warm welcome is extended to Karen Aston and Chris Aston, who represent their grandfather, 159693 Pte Rowland Aston. Attesting into the 81st Reserve Battalion, Rowland was transferred to the 4th CMR in June 1916, to rebuild the regiment after huge losses at the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel' on the 2nd. Sadly, however, Rowland was lost the following October in the costly attack on Regina Trench.
1st March 2022
A hearty 4cmr.com welcome is extended to Iain Faulkner for representing his 3 x great uncle Capt. John Robinson Woods, who was transferred from the 35th Battalion to the 4CMR in mid-June 1916, after the regiment's horrendous losses on June 2nd. Sadly, Captain Woods was lost at Passchendaele in October 1917. A biography will follow in due course.
9th February 2022
A very warm welcome is extended to Constance Marlatt, granddaughter of and representing Capt. Kenneth Marlatt, a 4th CMR original who signed up in December 1914. Kenneth survived the war.
14th January 2022
Thanks are extended once again to Vincent Goudsmet, this time for providing an image of Nine Elms British Cemetery in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Headstone images were provided too, which will be added to the biographies of the five 4th CMR men at rest there, when they have been written up.
10th January 2022
A New Year's welcome is extended to the Warwick family, specifically with regards to Bruce Warwick for representing his grandfather, 112079, Pte Donald "Harry" Laird, who was a divisional restructuring transfer from the 7th CMR, and joined the 4th CMR in October 1915. Though seriously wounded in the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel', near Ypres, on June 2nd 1916, Harry was one of 350 men of the 4th CMR taken POW that June morning. He was repatriated in September 1917. Harry wrote a book about his experiences, Prisoner 5-1-11, which can still be obtained as a CEF Books reprint from 2006. Due to the extent of his wounding, and as a proviso of his repatriation, Harry returned to Canada and was struck off strength in January 1918.
4th December 2021
A warm welcome is extended to Andy Cundell for representing relative 109353 Pte William Glennie, who as a 4th CMR original was sadly lost on June 2nd 1916, during the 4th CMR's blackest day: the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel'.
26th November 2021
A 4cmr.com welcome to WO Jason Dalton, who represents his great grandfather's youngest brother, 649291, Pte Lawrence William Dalton. Originally of the 159th (1st Algonquin) BN, Lawrence was transferred to the 4th CMR in June 1917, but was sadly lost at Passchendaele in October 1917. Welcome Jason.
17th November 2021
A very warm welcome is given to author Angela Young (née Pridmore) for supplying an extensive and fascinating biography for her relation 838370 Pte John Pridmore, who was one of the many "Home Children" who were sent to Canada from the UK and found themselves back in Europe fighting for the old homeland. Sadly, John was last in the attack on Vimy Ridge in April 1917. Welcome, Angela, and thank you for such a detailed biography.
Thanks are also extended to Vincent Goudsmet for providing images to allow this site to expand the Memorials section. The quiet but well kept Bedford House Cemetery, 2.5km south of Ieper, has now been added to the list of 4CMR relevant cemeteries visited. Biographies for the 10 men of the 4CMR who lie at rest there will follow in time. Bedankt Vincent.
The Memorials section will be receiving a much needed facelift in due course.
16th November 2021
A warm welcome is extended to Patrick Daly for representing his great uncle, 111452, Cpl Bryan Sheridan, a Co. Meath man who was lost with so many 4CMR comrades in the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel' on June 2nd 1916. We will remember them.
9th November 2021
A warm 4cmr.com welcome is extended to Jennifer Stuart-Jessel, who represents her great uncle 109630, Pte Albert Victor Stuart. Albert survived 4CMR's darkest day, 2nd June 1916's 'Battle for Mount Sorrel', though was taken POW. Released in 1918, he returned safely home.
6th November 2021
A welcome and thanks is extended to Vincent Goudsmet for representing 111020 Pte Kennedy Gideon Francis Baldwin, who originally attested into the 6th CMR, which was absorbed into the 4th CMR in January 1916 under divisional restructuring. Kennedy was lost on the morning of June 2nd, 1916, in the Battle for Mount Sorrel. He lies at rest in the Bedford House Cemetery, south of Ieper, Belgium. Further thanks are expressed to Vincent for representing 8 further 4CMR men lying at rest at Bedford House Cemetery.
28th October 2021
A further welcome is extended to Darren Prickett, who represented 401659, Pte Alexander Oliver back in February 2021. Formerly of the 33rd Battalion, Alex was one of the 4th CMR's 350 men taken POW during the conclusion of the opening morning of the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel', on June 2nd, 1916. Though held POW for nearly two and a half years, Alex subsequently escaped in early November 1918. With many thanks to Darren for the details on the escape from captivity, Alex's biography has now been added to the 'O' In Memoriam page.
18th September 2021
A warm welcome is extended to Wayne Olson for representing his grandfather 401261, Pte Horace Edwin Bell, a former 33rd Battalion man who was transferred to the 4th CMR in June 1916. Though twice wounded, Horace survived the war.
10th September 2021
Many thanks are extended to Al Lloyd, webmaster at 21stbattalion.ca, for representing former 4th CMR Lt William John Nesbitt. Please do visit the 21st Battalion website, where you will find a plethora of valuable information on the regiment and men of the 21st Bn.
26th April, 2021
A warm welcome is extended to Andrew Webb-trezzi, who, through his research of acquired 4th CMR photos, which includes a group shot of former 95th Battalion men, represents the following men of the 4th CMR:
Majors Walter Moorhouse and Wilfred Sifton, Lts. Lionel Clarke and Ernest Steer, Capts. Alex Lightbourn, William Muirhead, Harry Symons and Allan Taylor DSO.
And former 95th BN men: Sgts. 201593 William Garlick and 202218 William Loveys and Ptes. 139541 George Crane & brother 2017769 John Crane, and 202097 Harry Ferris.
The representation of the brothers Crane brought to my attention a sibling relationship which had not previously been recorded. This has resulted in a section update within the Demographics page. Many thanks Andrew.
28th February, 2021
Chris Harper is welcomed into the 4CMR family, representing his great great grandfather 633341, PteWillis Harper a former 154th Battalion man who was transferred to the 4CMR in November 1916. Willis survived the war. Welcome Chris.
21st February, 2021
A warm welcome is extended to Darren Prickett, who represents 401659, Pte Alexander Oliver. Formerly of the 33rd Battalion, Alexander was one of the 4th CMR's 350 men taken POW during the conclusion of the opening morning of the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel', on June 2nd, 1916. Though held for nearly two and a half years, Alexander subsequently escaped in early November 1918.
19th February, 2021
A special warm welcome is extended to Deirdre Codd, who represents her great uncle 838741 Pte John Hatton, a former 147th Battalion man, who was transferred to the 4th CMR in February 1917. Though victim of a gas shelling near Vimy Ridge in September 1917, John survived the war.
1st February, 2021
A warm welcome is extended to Andrew Innes, who represents his great grandfather, Lt Leroy Carle Innes. Originally attesting into Lord Strathcona's Light Horse, Leroy was transferred to the 4th CMR at the end of November 1916, though was amongst eight men wounded in two separate rifle grenade accidents on the same day, 14th March 1917, during training exercises. Leroy was wounded in both legs and his injuries were sufficient to end his service. He was struck off strength in mid-December 1917.
28th January, 2021
An extended family welcome is given to Laraine (née Jackson) Sleigh and the members of the Jackson family representing 835729 Pte Rufus Jackson. Originally of the 146th (Frontenac) Battalion, Rufus was transferred to the 4th CMR in December 1916, though sadly was lost in the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917.
23rd January, 2021
A warm welcome is extended to Neville Russell, who represents his grandfather, 475137, Sgt Frank Lyons, DCM. Originally of the 90th (Winnipeg Rifles) Battalion, Frank was transferred to the 4th CMR in March 1916. He was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) in 1918 for actions likely to have occurred in 1917. Click Here to see the citation associated with this award. Frank survived the war.
Also welcomed is Richard Faulkner, who represents his great uncle, 1030075, Pte Leonard Haywood. Originally attesting into the 236th Overseas Battalion (The New Brunswick Kilties - Sir Sam's Own), Len was transferred, via the 177th and then 3rd Reserve Battalion, to the 4th CMR in February 1918. He survived the war.
Welcome both. You bring the total number of 4th CMR men represented to 742 (16.4% of the regiment). Thank you.
20th January, 2021
A 4CMR welcome is extended to Murray Christenson, who represents his grandfather, 109642, Pte Alfred Thompson and his great uncle, 109506, Pte Wilfred Marrison, both of whom signed on in late 1914 as 4CMR originals, and both of whom were amongst the 350 taken POW on 2nd June 1916, in the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel'. Alfred was repatriated in late November 1918, whilst Wilfred followed a week later, in early December.
15th January, 2021
A warm welcome is extended to Loris Valvona, who represents former 209th Battalion man, 252985, Pte George William Woodward. Signing up in May 1916, George was transferred to the 4th CMR in August 1918. He saw the war out without noted incident, though did contract influenza a week after the Armistice was actioned. Thankfully he fully recovered.
Any family member of George Woodward is invited to contact the website (see Contact) accordingly.
17th December, 2020
It is a pleasure to welcome Geoff Clarke, who steps up to represent Cpl Robert Qua, a former 180th Battalion man, who was transferred to the 4th CMR in February 1918. Robert, having survived a gassing in August 1918, was transferred to the 1st C.O.R.D., where he subsequently became a Lieutenant. Geoff also represents Sgt Charles Bittle, formerly an 83rd (Reserve) Battalion man, who was transferred to the 4th CMR in January 1917 but was sadly lost just weeks later. Welcome Geoff.
9th December, 2020
A warm welcome is extended to Wayne & Karen Douglas, who represent Pte Robert Richardson, a former 146th Battalion man who, via the 95th Battalion, was transferred to the 4th CMR on October 27th 1916. Though receiving a severe hand wound in December 1916 that precluded his return to active service, Robert was struck off strength with the 4th CMR on December 31st 1917, therein surviving the war.
25th November, 2020
A new page, Panels 30 and 32, has been added to the site, listing all 4th CMR men who appear on the Menin Gate Memomorial in Ieper, Belgium. Those from all of the Canadian Mounted Rifles regiments (the 1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th CMRs), who were lost without trace in defence of the town, were listed together on wall panals 30 and 32 of the Memorial, without regimental differentiation. Of the 710 men listed, this project identified all 236 men of the 4th CMR on 16 of the stone tablets across panels 30 and 32, listed them alphabetically, linked their biographies (where they had been submitted and posted on this website) and also linked them to my own (large) images of the stone tablets on which the given man's name appeared.
If any errors were made, they are entirely mine, however, I was able to identify one entry on Panel 32, where the family name had been mispelled. I have notified the Commonweath War Graves Commission accordingly. It is hoped that I can roll this project out further to include the Memorials at Vimy and Thiepval, in time.
26th October, 2020
A warm welcome is extended to Stuart Patton, who represents great uncle 1066070, Pte George Smith, originally a 248th Battalion man. Coming to the 4th CMR via the 8th Reserve Battalion in November 1917, George survived the war.
3rd September, 2020
Thank you to Garry Farmer for providing an extensive and well sourced biography for James Hibbert Hicks, a former 81st BN man who was transferred to the 4th CMR on 6th June 1916, after the huge losses the 4th CMR suffered on June 2nd in the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel'. Sadly James was lost at Courcelette in the following September.
1st September, 2020
Further cross-checking of the Nominal Roll and the demographics database, in combination with the full service records, has revealed five men not included in the original database used on this website. As such the regiment's numbers have now been revised, up from 4,516 to 4,521. This impacted the Demographics statistics, and the page has been updated accordingly. Further database proofing is being undertaken and it is highly likely that further missed members of the regiment will be found as this progresses.
31st August, 2020
Sincere thanks are extended to Pete Maxfield, who manages sister CMR website 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, for bringing back into the fold two 4th CMR soldiers who had been missed off of the 4th's Nominal Roll. Namely 213438 Pte George Bertrand and 401627 Sgt Charles Dare Windsor, MM.
Their inclusion swells the known numbers to have served in the 4th CMR from 4,514 to 4,516. These weren't the first to have been missed and subsequently found and they won't be the last, I'm sure. Thank you for your valued work in finding and representing these men, Pete. Very much appreciated.
Pete additionally stands alongside: 109248 Capt. Leslie Bernard Bumstead, MC + Bar, 805404 Lt William George Butson, Major Harry Duncan Lockhart Duncan, DSO, Lt Merrill Whedon MacDowell, MC, Capt. Leslie Gordon Mills and
Capt. Morris Allaire Scovil.
As an interesting side note, it is believed that all three of the current CMR websites (1st CMR, 2nd CMR & 4th CMR) are run by Brits in the UK.
16th August, 2020
A warm welcome is extended to Chuck Ellis for representing his great uncle, 158661 Pte Ernest Parent, a former 81st Battalion man brought into the 4th CMR as a rebuilding draft of men on 7th June 1916, after the 4th's huge losses in the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel' on June 2nd. Though wounded in the right knee in mid-September 1916, likely in the action Courcelette, France, Ernest survived the war.
12th August, 2020
Attention is drawn to the Channel Islands Great War Project, who are researching those men serving in WW1 who came from the British Channel Islands, namely the islands of: Jersey, Guernsey, Sark and Alderney.
Seven men from the Channel Islands are known to have served with the 4th CMR. Three were from Jersey: 835940 Pte Charles Davis, 3033184 Pte John (Le) Monnier and 2304404 Pte Francois Vasslin; and four from Guernsey: 135680 Pte Stephen Cherry, 109290 Pte John Curtis, 1066221 Pte Thomas Mahy and 649328 Cpl William Smart.
It is no small project by any means and you are invited to visit their website to see the great work they have done thus far. Thanks to the Study Group for representing these seven 4th CMR men.
27th July, 2020
A warm welcome is extended to Sean McGuire, who represents his great uncle, 111299, Sgt Edward Blake MacDonald, a former 6th CMR man who was transferred to the 4th CMR in January 1916, when the two regiments were combined in a divisional consolidated. Sadly, Edward was lost in the action at Regina Trench in October 1916.
3rd July, 2020
Thanks go to Riley Buckles for representing his great grandfather, 135646, Cpl William Buckles, who was a former 74th Battalion man transferred to the 4th CMR, as a reinforcement draft in early June 1916. This was due to the huge losses suffered by the 4CMR in the 'Battle for Mount Sorrel' on June 2nd, 1916. Though wounded during the push on Pozières, near Albert, France, William survived the war. Welcome Riley.
21st May, 2020
A warm welcome is extended to Steve Arnold, who represents his father's uncle, 109202 Pte Alfred Arnold, who was wounded at Vimy in 1917, but survived the war. Welcome Steve.
3rd March, 2020
Warm welcomes are extended to Rob and Ron Houghton, cousins who represent their grandfather 109401 Pte William Houghton, who attested into the 4th CMR in the original intake in November 1914, and survived the war. Welcome both.
18th February, 2020
I was both pleased and surprised to find that early February 2020 saw this website's 100,000th unique visitor. A truly amazing milestone.
5th February, 2020
Many thanks are extended to Judy Stockham of the Kenora Great War Project for the biography of 172210 Pte Clarence Hewson.
24th January, 2020
As a result of the research on the medals awarded to the 4th CMR (see 2nd January, below), a "lost" soldier was found who had been missed from the transcription of the Nominal Roll. He has now been added to all relevant sections in the website and figures updated where impacted, especially so in the Demographics section. The official number currently known to have served with the regiment now stands at 4,514.
2nd January, 2020
A new page has been added to the site: Medals. This presents as many of the citations for the 187 men of the 4th CMR who were awarded 202 medals and 13 bars during the course of the war as could be found. This is a work in progress project and as such is not yet fully complete.