Honour Roll - World War I
Honour Roll - WWI |
Allan MacKinnon
Allan MacKinnon born 21 March 1893, son of James C. and Katie (McMullen) MacKinnon. Mother died at childbirth. Raised in Shenacadie by his grandfather Donald. He went to the coal mines at age 14. Joined the army with his half-brother Alex, both went overseas. Alex was killed by a shell and on 20 Oct 1915, Alan was killed by machine gun fire at Ploegsteert Belgium. Alan joined the 25th Bn. on 31 March 1915 sailed for England 20 May 1916. He went to France mid Sep. 1915 and was killed seven months after joining at age 22. Allan MacKinnon is buried in Belgium. |
Rank: Pte.Jerry Campbell
Jerry Campbell born 30 April 1886, son of Hugh and Sarah (MacNeil) Campbell of Jamesville West, went to England with the First Can Div. 15 Oct 1914 and to France 15 Feb 1915 and into the trenches mid- April. On 22 April 1915, Germans released 160 tons of chlorine gas (5700 cylinders). Using cloth with urine as a mask, the Canadians closed the gap as the French (Algerian) army fled and stopped the German attack. Cpl. Campbell survived many battles until he was killed 3 June 1916 at age 30 in the battle of Mt. Sorrel. He has no known grave, his name is engraved in Stone Panels at Ypres Menin State Memorial, Ypres Belgium to those lost without a trace in the Ypres Salient.
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Rank: Pte.John Murdock MacNeil
John Murdock MacNeil of Washabuck son of John A. MacNeil was a Sgt. In the 94th Regiment of Baddeck. He was taken on strength 26 Nov 1914 as a Pte. in the 25th Bn. He was killed in the same battle as Jerry Campbell at Mount Sorrel. A very heavy German shelling lasted for a day and a half. One unit lost over 600 officers and men. This battle cost nearly 8000 casualties and lasted from 2 to 13 June 1916. John M. MacNeil was killed 10 June 1916 and has no known grave. His name is engraved in Stone Panels at Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres Belgium to those lost without a trace in the Ypres Salient. |
Rank: Sgt.Malcolm Joseph MacKinnon
Malcolm Joseph MacKinnon born 23 March 1894 son of John A. and Peggy (MacNeil) MacKinnon of Iona Rear. In the battle of Courcelette the Regiment was to capture German trenches in front of the city, they were under heavy artillery and machine gun fire all the way across No Man's Land. After fighting off counter attacks the Reg. had to withdraw as there wasn't enough troops left to hold the position and had run out of ammunition. Pte. MacKinnon was killed 8 Oct 1916 at age 24 and has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the ramparts of the great Vimy memorial with the names of 11,285 Canadian Soldiers posted missing, presumed dead.
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Leo MacNeil
Leo MacNeil of MacNeil's Vale Rear Iona joined the 185th Cape Breton Highlanders formed in 1916. It was to form a Highland Bde. from NS but was used to reinforce other units. Born 27 June 1895, son of Dan S. and Katie (MacDonald) MacNeil. Leo MacNeil transferred to the 85th Bn. Nova Scotia then to the 73rd Bn. Royal Highland Regiment of Canada (Blackwatch). He was killed 26 Feb 1917 at age 21 in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. When the Germans couldn't take Paris, they consolidated at Vimy Ridge a 9-mile barrier. In 1915, the French couldn't take it, the British in 1916 couldn't take it. In 5 days the Canadians took Vimy Ridge at the cost of 11,000 casualties and advanced 4 miles taking 4000 prisoners and over 50 guns. Leo MacNeil is buried in France.
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Rank: Pte.John Allan MacNeil
John Allan MacNeil born 15 March 1885 son of Michael and Christy (MacNeil) MacNeil of Iona Rear. Married Victoria MacNeil of Glace Bay. John A. MacNeil was in the Battle to take Vimy Ridge after the French and British lost 130000 dead and wounded. Pte. MacNeil was killed 28 Apr. 1917 age 27 and has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial to the valour of their countrymen in the Great War and in memory of the 60,000 dead. This monument is raised by the people of Canada.
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Rank: Pte.Joseph H. MacKenzie
Joseph H. MacKenzie enlisted in the 94th Bn. of Baddeck in 1914 then transferred to the 40th Bn. to go overseas. He was the son of Archibald and Catherine (Campbell) MacKenzie. Joseph used his brother's records Hugh F. who was in the 94th. He transferred to the 5th CMR and promoted to Sgt. At Vimy Ridge. He was killed at Passchendaele 31 Oct 1917 at age 23. The 3rd battle of Ypres known as the battle of Passchendaele in Flanders was the worst battle with bodies and debris of early battles were not buried because of mud and water of the shelling. Some drowned in shell holes of liquid mud. On the bayonet charge to clear machine gun nests at Vapour Farm Major George Pearks, his commanding officer, was awarded the Victoria Cross. Joseph MacKenzie is buried in Belgium. |
Rank: Cpl.Daniel MacRitchie
L/Cpl. Daniel MacRitchie born 7 July 1888 son of Norman and Mary (Matheson) MacRitchie of Washabuck Bridge was killed 15 Apr 1918 age 29 in the charge of Mareuil Wood. Heavy fighting with sword, pistol, rifle and bayonet killed many Germans. Other were killed as troops were dis-mounted and captured several machine guns. L/CPL MacRitchie was wounded and died at the field hospital in Rouen, the ancient capital of Normandy on the Seine River. It is famous as the place where William the Conqueror died, and Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Daniel MacRitchie is buried in France.
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Rank: L/Cpl.Martin W. MacKinnonRank: Capt.
Capt. Martin W. MacKinnon born 1891 son of joseph H. and Margaret (MacLellan) MacKinnon of Beaver Cove. He was killed 10 Aug 1918 at the battle of Amiens 8—11 Aug. The Canadians advanced seven miles eliminating two German Divisions and took 5000 prisoners. The next day advanced three miles and the next two miles against great odds of eight fresh German Divisions. In advancing over twelve miles on a five-mile front, Canadians took close to 9000 prisoners at a cost of 12000 casualties. Martin MacKinnon is buried in France. |
John J. MacLean
Pte John J. MacLean born 1 Jan 1894 son of john and Elizabeth (MacNeil) MacLean of Washabuck Centre was killed in the battle of Amiens 11 Aug 1918, a day after Capt. Martin MacKinnon. He had faced the same battles. John MacLean is buried in France.
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Rank: Pte.Joseph MacSween Rank: Farrier Sgt. Joseph MacSween son of Murdock and Margaret (MacNeil) MacSween from Ironville was a policeman in Sydney Mines before joining the army. He died 13th Aug 1918 and is buried in the Caix British Cemetery Somme, France. |
Angus Roderick MacNeil
Angus Roderick MacNeil , son of Alexander J. and Elizabeth MacNeil of Washabuck Centre was born on 2 May 1888. His parents moved to Whitney Pier when he was 18. His occupation was miner and boilermaker when he enlisted with the 85th Battalion in 1915. By February 1917, he joined the fighting ranks in France. Angus was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery under fire at Eleu dit Leauvette. His citation reads: Awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack and the subsequent consolidation, he handled his men with the utmost skill, showing great courage and a quick initiative in placing posts where they were required. During the night he secured valuable information by patrolling the ground to his front, and on the following day he went out with a daylight patrol under heavy machine gun fire, though he already been on duty continuously for 36 hours and taken part in two attacks. He showed a very fine spirit of keenness and devotion to duty. By 21 Oct1917, Angus had been promoted to Sergeant; a week later he grappled with a gunshot wound to his left hand, which required several weeks hospitalization. On 2 Sep 1918, Angus was killed in action at the battle of Arras. He is buried in France. |
Rank: Sgt.Alexander Joseph MacDonald (MM)
Alexander J. MacDonald (MM) son of Alexander J. and Rebecca (O'Handley). MacDonald was in the breaking of the Hindenburg Line, thick lines of trenches, forts, and cement machine gun emplacements. The most developed defenses on the Western Front. During two nights and days the Germans counterattacked many times but the Canadians held on to the 2000 yards gained. Alexander was awarded the Military Medal. He was killed 3 Sep 1918 at age 23. Alexander MacDonald is buried in France. |
Rank: Pte.Hector Joseph Gillis
Hector Joseph Gillis son of John and Catherine (MacDougall) Gillis of Shenacadie died of wounds 11 Sep 1918 at age 21. The Machine Gun Corps was motorized and could be moved quickly from place to place to bring more firing cover to close gaps in the line. Pte. Gillis served with the 85th Bn. NS Highlanders before transferring to the Machine Gun Corps where was wounded in the Battle of Arris (Cogincourt). Hector Gillis is buried in France. |
Rank: Pte.Joseph Angus MacDonald
Pte. Joseph A. MacDonald son of John M. and Mary (MacNeil) MacDonald was wounded in the taking of Cambrai in the breakthrough of the German lines in the last days of the war. It was to be the last major battle. Joseph died of wounds in Buxton England 12 Oct 1918, age 28. Joseph MacDonald is buried in the UK. |
Michael J. MacDonald
Died on active service, died in Truro (of pneumonia) en route overseas 2 March 1916. Michael MacDonald is buried in Iona. |
Rank: Pte.Angus MacSween Rank: Sapper Sapper Angus MacSween, son of Theresa MacSween of Ironville died 10 July 1918. Sapper MacSween died of chlorine and/or mustard gas received in France. He was returned to Canada and died on active service. Angus MacSween is buried in Boisdale. |
Angus J. MacNeil
Capt. Angus MacNeil, son of John and Mary (MacLean) MacNeil served in the 94th Bn. Victoria Argyle Highlanders of Baddeck before going on Garrison Duty. Died on 7 Oct 1918 of pneumonia while on active duty at age 51. Angus MacNeil is buried in Iona. |
Rank: Capt.Hugh E. MacKinnon
Pte. Hugh E. MacKinnon son of John and Christine (MacNeil) MacKinnon through his actions of bravery was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He was so severely gassed with chlorine that he was returned to Canada. He died 8 June 1919 while on active service at age 27. Hugh MacKinnon is buried in Boisdale. |
Rank: Pte.