Most recent news (last six months) - for previous news updates, please click News Archive
Latest News: 29 July 2010
A warm welcome is extended to Cara Howard, who represents her great-great uncle, Pte. William James Smith, on the In Memoriam page. Alas William was one of the unfortunate all too many to be wounded and subsequently die after ceasation of hostilities. One can only imagine what that meant to his family at the time. Notwithstanding, William becomes the 276 man represented and will not be forgotten.
28 July 2010
Work continues on completing the 4CMR History page. Entries to the diary have now been extended from September 1916 through to the end of June 1917.
25 July 2010
It is a pleasure to welcome Christopher Russo to the fold, as he represents his great-great-grandfather, Sgt. Matthew Tickner. Originally of the 83rd (Reserve) BN, Matthew was transferred into the 4CMR in July 1916, and lost his life in the action at Vimy Ridge in April 1917. Matthew becomes the 275th man represented on the In Memoriam page. We will remember.
With a little housekeeping on the site today links have been added on the Links page for: the Canadian on-line memorial resource, The Books of Remembrance, as provided by Veterans Affairs Canada; and books: 'The Governor General's Hourse Gaurds - Second to None' and 'Clarance McCabe - A Canadian Soldier of the First World War'. Look out for the green *NEW* tags on the Links page for fuller details of these new entries.
24 July 2010
A warm welcome is extended to Paul Branscombe, in representing his father, L./Cpl. Harry Boyd Barnscombe on the In Memoriam page. Originally an 198th BN man, Harry was one of 17 from that battalion to be transferred to the 4CMR by the end of March 1918, and in seeing the pivotal final months of the war with the 4CMR, he survived to see its end.
20 July 2010
In welcoming Chris Thompson to the fold, I am delighted to add his grandmother's brother, Pte. William John Hayes Cooper to the In Memoriam page. Also added to the In Memoriam page, and the new Ligny-St.Fochel memorials page, are 17 new men, who are being represented by previous contributor, Yvo Henniker-Heaton. In addition to images of their headstones, and links to existing pages (Bigg, Nicholson and Wright) is a link to an image of the German headstones - 46 are at rest at Ligny-St.Flochel. To the memories of William Cooper and all of the men covered on the Ligny-St. Flochel page, we will not forget.
The recent additions to the In Memoriam page push those in the 4CMR represented today to 273. Thank you all.
16 July 2010
A fresh round of updates were put up onto the site today, with the addition of pages dedicated to Lt. Jaffray Eaton, Pte. Roy Kallar and Pte. Clarence McCabe, represented by George Auer, Matt Parker and Bryan Joyce respectively. The number of men represented now rises to 255. Biography details for Pte. Roger Lamont and Pte. George Webber, have been added, courtesy of George Auer, as has an obituary for Pte. John "Jack" Evans (featured in the 1918 book "Out of the Jaws of Hunland"), courtesy of Rowena Evans and a biography for Pte. Cyril Quinney, supplied by Paul Quinney.
Incidentally, and most importantly, George Auer, one of the researchers who has contributed a number of detailed and well researched articles to this site, has been the link that has allowed many of the extended 4CMR family to stand beside their relatives. George is in the midst of compiling a book "Soldiers of the Soil/Grey County goes to War". I would like to support his efforts by requesting that if your 4CMR family member or research subject hailed from Grey County, Ontario, that you share with George any pictures, letters, diaries and oral histories that you may have on your relative. Please do email 4cmr.com via the Contact page, who will forward any contacts to George directly.
On the In Memoriam page, further additions are in-hand, with 4CMR soldiers from the Ligny St.Flochel (France) cemetary being represented by Yvo Heaton, soon to be added, and more subjects being added under Art Hubbs' continuing research project. It is hoped that a further tunnel carving (see John Wilson's entry) will be added very soon, and further new entries to the In Memoriam page will be seen if recent correspondents follow through with their initial contacts.
4 July 2010
A light went out in the world yesterday, with the passing of Florence Layton, the daughter of 4CMR's 109125, Cpl. Frank Forsdike. This website was founded on the basis of being there should the Layton family start looking into Frank's history and it blossomed very quickly into being there for the 4CMR family. I do, therefore, count myself blessed that the Layton family did find the site, that we got together as we did, that Florence received her father's previously unclaimed WW1 medals and in the same turn was reunited with a branch of the family overseas long lost. Florence was a delight to spend time with and it was my pleasure to reintroduce her to the father she never knew.
To Bert & Pat, to Helen & Lou, to Margie and the memory of Duco, to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as a wonderful and loving family your loss is felt and Mom will be missed. We will remember.
27 May 2010
It is with great pleasure that I am able to hand over a 4cmr.com representation of Lt. Harris McClure Mills to his family, following contact from his great nephew, Jeff, who has asked that his own son, Daniel, represents Harris today. My joy and honour to facilitate that. Welcome to the Burgess family, and for your relative Harris Mills and all who served and deserve to have their memories perpetuated, "We will remember them".
24 May 2010
A time of note in the In Memoriam page representations, as we pass the 250 mark, with the addition of 4 research subjects from Art Hubbs' project: Pte. Ernest Crofts, coming into the 4CMR from the 8th CMR in January, 1916, wounded and taken POW in August, 1916, repatriated at the end of the War and struck off strength in May, 1919; Pte. Robert Johnston, an original 4CMR intake man who was taken POW in June 2nd, 1916's Battle for Mount Sorrel, repatriated in December, 1918, and struck off strength in April, 1919; Pte. Leonard Langridge and brother, L/Cpl. William Langridge, who were both 33rd BN men, coming into the 4CMR in May, 1916, although also taken POW in the Battle for Mount Sorrel, Leonard survived the War, whereas brother William died in that battle.
What is remarkable at this stage is that an impressive 6% of the total regiment (some 4,500) are now represented today directly by relatives or researchers. Thank you all for that.
19 May 2010
Two further research subjects from Art Hubbs project were added to the In Memoriam page today: Sgt. Richard Wooding and Pte. Harold Nelson Wright. Both were lost on June 2nd, 1916, in the Battle for Mount Sorrel, and again 4cmr.com has been able to provide images of their names on the Menin Gate, Ieper (Ypres), to Art to compliment his research. Sgt. Wright was a 6th CMR man, which was absorbed into the 4CMR in January 1916, and Pte. Wooding was an original 4CMR sign-up.
11 May 2010
Art Hubbs' research project continues apace, and brings two further 4CMR men to the In Memoriam page: Pte. Clarence Boyd Frood and Pte. David William Mossman, both lost at the outset of the Battle of Mount Sorrel on June 2nd, 1916. Clarence Frood came from Renfrew, Ontario, and David Mossman was from Belleville, Ontario. Both attested into the 8th CMR and found themselves in the 4CMR in late January 1916. As both were lost without trace, their names appear on the Menin Gate Memorial, in Ypres. 4cmr.com has been able to provide images of their names on the Menin Gate to Art to compliment his extensive studies.
4 May 2010
An interesting and thought provoking addition to the In Memoriam page today, as Pte. John Henry Jones is added to the wall of remembrence. Born in England in 1895, John went to Canada from Liverpool, on the S.S.Virginian, arriving in Halifax on April 14, 1905. Sent to the Marchmont Home in Belleville, Ontario, John was a "Barnardo's boy", shipped to Canada at a time when many of the children became cheap labour; a lot of them living very harsh lives. Originally signed up with the 155th BN, John was transferred to the 4CMR in late November, 1916, with 94 other men of the 155th, and served until he fell, aged 21, on the 11th of April, 1917. He is buried at La Chaudiere Military Cemetery, Vimy, France. Many thanks to Art Hubbs, once again, for bringing John Jones to our attention. We will remember them.
1 May 2010
Art Hubbs continues his extensive research project, bringing Ptes Arnold Parrington, James Langdon, Stewart Harcus, brothers Percival & William Sharman and unrelated James Sharman to the In Memoriam page. This effort pushes 4CMR men represented by relatives or researchers to 243.
25 April 2010
On this, ANZAC Day, with honour we remember Pte. Albert Edward Bartley, as represented on the In Memoriam page by Art Hubbs. Albert, coming from the 8th CMR in late January, 1916, was wounded on August 10th and reported as POW on the 16th. Like many, he was repatriated in March 1919. A man of Peterborough, Ontario, Albert will not be forgotten. Many thanks to Art for providing details on his research subject.
15 April 2010
Welcome to Sheree Fordyce and Cindy Ruthven, who respectively represent Ptes. Joseph Belanger and Alexander Whyte. Art Hubbs also brings a further research subject to the In Memoriam page, as L/Cpl. William Post completes the line-up for today's updates. 236 men of the 4CMR are specifically represented and honoured now. Thank you all.
29 March 2010
Lt. Frederick Joseph Watt has been placed on the In Memoriam page, represented by his daughter, Joann Watt Henderson. Although only with the 4CMR for a short time late in 1916, coming from the 111th BN with 5 other "men of rank", 4cmr.com is honoured to remember him and the service he gave. As we hear often these days, Lt. Watt's great-grandson, also Frederick, is about to step up and join the Canadian Forces. We salute both Fredericks for their actions in serving their country.
26 March 2010
Pte. Rodney Clarke Newton, represented by regular contributor, Art Hubbs, was added to the In Memoriam page today. Rodney, originally of the 8CMR found himself in the 4CMR in January 1916 with 362 other men of the 8CMR, and was amongst the large contingent of men taken POW at the outset of the 4CMR's obliteration in the Battle for Mount Sorrel, in June 1916. Repatriated a few days after the end of the War, Rodney was struck off strength in April, 1919. Many thanks to Art for bringing Pte. Newton to the In Memoriam wall. He becomes the 232nd man to be specifically represented by a relative or researcher today.
20 March 2010
Pte. William Victor Besterd has been added to the In Memoriam page today, represented by his grandson, Patrick Maguire. Originally of the 33rd BN, William was transferred to the 4CMR with 206 fellow 33rd BN men on June 6th, 1916, 4 days after devastating losses to the 4CMR at the Battle for Mount Sorrel required reserves to build their numbers back up. Wounded near Poziers in September, 1916, William survived the war. Welcome, Patrick.
14 March 2010
Michael Akay joins the fold today, representing his grandfather, Pte. Arthur Galbraith on the In Memoriam page. Originally with the 146th BN, Arthur was transferred into the 4CMR in November, 1916. Wounded (losing a leg) in October 1917, Arthur was struck off strength with the 4CMR in November 1918. Welcome, Michael.
And George Auer represents Pte. George Bell on the In Memoriam wall, bringing the total there now to 230. In coming across an image of three 4CMR men, George knew that one soldier was Pte. James Welsh MM from the associated paperwork. Subsequent research work yielded results in identifying the other two: Ptes. George Bell DCM and Adam Clarke. You can see the image against any of the three mens' names on the In Memoriam page, or through this Link.
11 March 2010
Two more 4CMR men were added to the In Memoriam page today: Pte. John Frederick Dolan, represented by Elaine Yu, who provided a cracking biography originally written as an history paper, and Pte. John Joseph Belfontaine, represented by grandson, Chris Belfontaine. Welcome both. Together we will remember them.
9 March 2010
The number of 4CMR men represented by family or researchers today rises to 226, with the addition of Pte. William "Jack" Sharp, who is represented by his great neice, Debbie Bennett-Toms. Welcome, Debbie.
As three further names await confirmation for inclusion, interest in the site increases at this time of year as the Vimy commemoriation approaches. The traffic on the site has exceeded all previous year on year records for the year so far; receiving some 300 hits per day now. Thank you all for your interest and I look forward to hearing from many more people in due course.
7 March 2010
Pte Walter Finnie is added to the In Memoriam page, with regular contributor, Bruce Gilbert, standing by his side. Walter died of wounds in September, 1916, and becomes our 225th man to be specifically remembered and represented by someone today.
5 March 2010
I welcome John Segain to the fold, as he represents his great uncle, Pte. Frank Scott, who was one of the few 4CMR Nov 1914 "originals" to see and survive service throughout the war.
4 March 2010
A very warm welcome is extended to Mattan Jones, who stands along side his half great uncle, Pte. John Wilson. John was lost in action at Vimy in September 1916.
14 February 2010
Lt. Percy Wright was added to the In Memoriam page today, represented to by his grandson, Yvo Henniker-Heaton. One of three men to have originally come from the P.P.C.L.I. (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry), Percy was transferred into the 4CMR in June 1918, but alas lost his life in September, 1918. He lies at rest in Ligny-St.Flochel British Cemetery, Averdoingt, France. A warm welcome to Yvo as his grandfather becomes the 222nd man to be represented on the In Memoriam Wall. We will remember them.
12 February 2010
It is an honour and pleasure to welcome Jerry Sanderson to the fold, as he represents his grandfather, Cpl. Edward Henry Sanderson. Edward who was one of the 277 men of the 4CMR taken prisoner in the first hours of June 2nd, 1916's Battle for Mount Sorrel. Edward survived that dark day to endure many more as a POW, before being repatriated on November 18th, 1918. Jerry had no details about his grandfather prior to contacting the website, so I am both delighted and proud that once more 4cmr.com has been able to step in, provide vital links to the past and touch lives today.
7 February 2010
Citation details for the Military Cross (MC) have been added to Lt. Archie Black MC's page. Many thanks to Arnie Kay for his help on this. Do see the Links page, Researchers section, for details on Arnie's research services.
5 February 2010
A further 4CMR man has been added to the In Memoriam page today, bringing the total represented now to 220. I thank George Auer, a regular contributor, for standing alongside Pte. Roger Lamont, who died in October 1917 and lies at rest at Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinghe, Belgium.
Welcome, also, to the new-look website, which features additional navigation functionality between In Memoriam pages and extended detail on the Memorials pages. Many thanks again go to Mark at Silverknife for his support and advice. For all of your web services and PC needs, pay Mark a visit for genuine and affordable support services. Thanks also go to my long suffering family, who were beginning to wonder if I'd ever come out of the Study. Whilst the website remains a work-in-progress, feedback is always welcome.
4 February 2010
With pleasure, I welcome Jim Whaley, who stands alongside his great uncle, Pte. Roy Urquhart; who died during the 4CMR's attack on Wolfe Copse, Passchendaele, in October, 1917.
An image and a short biography have been added to Lt. Archie Black MC's page. Many thanks to his son, Richard Black, for the details.
1 February 2010
There has been much interest in the reburial of 250 British and Australian soldiers, who died in 1916 in the Battle of Fromelles. Their mass grave was discovered recently and whilst DNA testing continues, in a bid to identify as many as possible through matches with proven, living relatives today, the first of the reburials took place at the new CWGC cemetery (Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery, Fromelles, France). For further details, and video coverage from the service, please click BBC coverage.
17 January 2010
It is a pleasure to add two new names to the In Memoriam page today: Pte. William Stuart Ritchie, represented by Bruce Gilbert, and Lt. Archie Black MC, represented by his son, Dr R Black. In the former, a letter describing the transit from Canada to the UK and then life in the front line, written by William Ritchie to his brother, has been transcribed by Bruce, and will appear in due course in an In Memoriam page to be formed for William.
9 January 2010
I welcome the first addition to the In Memoriam page in 2010, with Pte. Erniest Trump being represented by Geoffrey Holdsworth. A warm welcome.
The website is, as reported on Jan. 1st, undergoing an off-line development, which I hope to be able to roll out by the end of the month. There will be a faceflift overall and added functionality within the In Memoriam page, allowing visitors to scroll through the entries rather than having to go back to the In Memoriam main page each time to see the next or previous entry. Major changes to the Memorials page have also been implemented, changing that to a more useful resource than a straight links to headstone images page. Further afield, work is also planned on the improving the Gallery page. If you have any suggestions on developments, do drop me a line or two.
1 January 2010
Happy New Year to one and all. 2009 was the busiest year so far for the site, receiving some 64,000 hits, as against 56,600 in 2008. The total number of men represented on the In Memoriam page rose from the low 100 mark to 215 by the close of the year. Some heart-warming stories of family branches being brought back together through the site were reported to me and to all I say you are most welcome.
2010 will no doubt be another interesting year, certainly as a major facelift for the website is currently being worked on. On that front, I am indebted to Mark Hewitt over at www.silverknife.co.uk for his further help in tutoring me on raw xhtml programming, as I endeavour to pep things up a little whilst maintaining a simple and straightforward website. If you have home or business needs in website design, development or maintenance, be it in the UK or beyond, I have no hesitation in recommending Mark, as through Silverknife he genuinely provides affordable, professional computer support you can trust.