Loyola College - Review Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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LOYOLA COLLEGE REVIEW 17 LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT CHARLES POWER :— Mr. William Power, M.P. for Quebec West, has received a most inter- esting letter from his son, Mr. Chub Power, who was a patient in Miss Pollock's hospital, London, recovering from wounds received at the front. In the course of his letter Mr. Power, who, as well as his brothers, is well known in athletic circles, writes as follows: Was walking along our first line trench оп the afternoon of December 2nd, not far from the family dug-out (the one Joe and I occupied alternately) when my platoon sergeant said he heard a rifle grenade (we can tell with a little practice the difference between the explosion of their cartridges and that of an ordinary rifle). We looked up in the air forit, butit was rather misty. The sergeant crouched in the opening of а dug-out, I looked out towards the right, when suddenly I heard a tremendous explosion and felt as if I had been kicked in the back, was hurled forward in the mud, stunned for perhaps five seconds. Then I got up; the concussion had tumbled the sergeant into the dug-out, but he was untouched. Another man about ten feet away had been hit on the head. I felt that I had a sore leg, so limped around to the stretcher-bearers, took off my clothes, and discovered that I had received eighteen wounds, which, with two or three exceptions,were small ones; they had quite a time fixing up the bandages. That over, I walked down to our dressing station, nearly a mile. Was passed on there to the Field Ambulance station where I had something to eat while waiting for the motor ambulance. It arrived about six o'clock and by eight p.m. I was in a clearing hospital in bed. My wounds were getting pretty stiff by the time I reached there, so my clothes had to be cut off me; result, І am now minus a pair of breeches. Was thoroughly cleaned and ban- daged, placed in a room next to poor Alfie Evans. ‘The next morning at 11 o'clock was on the Red Cross train for the base. A wonderful ar- rangement of cars, about the length of ours, divided into wards, etc., like a hospital. The beds were comfortable, and we had all the attendance one could have in a hospital in Canada. Had lunch, tea and dinner on board. Were supplied with cigarettes and chocolate, lemonade, etc. We started fairly light, but before long were pulled up. In our car there were ten officers, all stretcher cases. Тһе sitting ones were in another car, and во оп. Arrived at the base at 11 p.m. and was taken to No. 7. Stationary Hospital, a show place reserved for officers. It isa converted hotel. Nothing could be more modern or up to date. Was again examined and dressed. Next morning, less than 48 hours after being wounded, was on an operating table, X-rayed, chloroformed, and the pieces of shrapnel removed. There were some pieces, partic- ularly in the right leg and left arm, which have made rather deep holes and had taken in foreign substances. АП these were taken out and tubes placed. Then I was bandaged again. When I regained consciousness in the afternoon I was able to sit up and write letters, have a good tea and later a good dinner. Since that everything is going well. Was kept two days more to rest up, then crossed to England on the hospital ship, which in better times was the New Haven-Dieppe packet, but is now as thoroughly a hospital ship as was the Red Cross train. The sea was pretty high, but so good are the arrangements that I never felt the slightest jar. Шеге were quite a number of wounded officers and men on board; they all stood the trip equally well. j At the English port another train to Charing Cross, where the distribution of patients among the various hospitals takes place. I was selected for this one. It appears to cater especially to Colonials, though just at present I am the only Canadian. It is quite comfortable, and I am sure it would be impossible to secure such treatment anywhere else. I have to be bandaged and dressed frequently, but it is very well done, and I suffer little inconvenience. I should be able to hobble about on crutches next week and go out for an occasional walk at least by Christmas. То me all this seems wonderful, and I think when the history of the war comes to be written it will be found that though the British have blundered in many things and seriously, at any rate their medical service and organization is a marvel. Nothing whatso- ever is omitted which could make for the comfort and well-being of the wounded. This not only includes necessaries and comforts, but all luxuries imaginable are furnished. I didn ot come in contact with the Canadians after leaving the Field Ambulance station, so had no opportunity of seeing any of my friends. The English, however, treated me as one of their own, and nurses, doctors, everybody, seemed to think that their greatest pleasure in life was to put themselves out, in order to please the patients. LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT HENRI DE L. PANET: 100th Field Co'y. К. E., 22nd Division. At sea on Н.М. Transport, Dec. 3rd, 1915. Just a line to wish you and Loyola the very best of luck for the coming year. I am afraid you are one of the few people I know who are there now, but I must ask you to congratulate for me everybody concerned in the publication of the LOYOLA COLLEGE REVIEW this year.

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16 EON ODA] COLLEGE REVTEW publish it in this number of the REVIEW. The official notification to the family stated that Lieutenant Howe had been killed by a gunshot wound on April 25th, We hope that in our next number we will be able to publish the accounts given by the officers of his regiment. We offer our sincerest sympathy to the relatives of Lieutenant Howe in their deep affliction. | LETTERS FROM THE FRONT LETTERS FROM CORPORAL ADRIAN McKENNA: Belgium, January 16th, 1916. I dropped you a line last night just to let you know that I had arrived back to the Regiment again. It feels great to be back with the boys. Redmond was delighted to see me again; in fact, I got a fine reception from everybody, from the Colonel right down. I left Boulogne on Thursday last and arrived at Harfleur on Friday. We travelled half way in second-class cars, and the rest of the way in box cars. I stayed two days at Harfleur, which is about six miles from Havre. I met a couple of fellows I knew there, who were, like myself, on their way back. On Sunday evening we marched to Havre and got on the train. It was a beautiful sight when we came in view of Havre. We came down the famous ''Escalier Montmorency. There, from the top, we could see the city and harbour all illuminated. I was in charge of the 21st Batt'n's men, and one of them hurt his foot getting on the train, so I went and saw if I could get him a decent place to sleep, as we were all packed into third-class wooden cars. I got him a second-class coach, and, incidentally, one for ourselves, so we had a very comfortable night. One fellow slept on the floor, and the other one and myself slept on the seats. We got into Rouen at half-past seven the next morning, and spent the day there in the station. We left at about nine that night and passed through Boulogne and Calais the next morning, and arrived at our destination at four o'clock in the afternoon. ОЁ course it was pouring rain, and we had to walk nearly five miles to our billets. We landed here just after the Company had come out of the trenches. Much to my delight, we are not in the old cattle pen, but are quartered in huts that have just been built. They are much better than the pen. They are built of tarred paper and hold about sixty men. It is quite cold to-day; in fact, we had a slight fall of sleet this afternoon. I am anxiously awaiting the next mail. Thank goodness! at last I will get my mail regularly. I am feeling fine again and ready to get after the Huns . . . . hope you will be able to make this out. 1 am lying on my bunk and writing by the light of one candle. I haven't been paid for a long time and І can't afford two candles. We were reckless last night and spent our last two francs on eggs, seven each. However, it might be worse, and pay day is to-morrow. I know your eyes must be winking and jumping from trying to make this out, so I will say good-night. I am enclosing the stripes off my great-coat. I value them very much, as I have had them since I left Canada. The stains on them are blood from a man who was killed and whom [I carried into the trench. Keep them for me till I get back............... My Little Dug-Out in the West, January l8th. I received your very welcome letter of December 10th yesterday and enjoyed it very much. Thanks very much for the draft. It came at a very good time, аз I was ''stony. We are not allowed to draw any money while in hospital, and when we are with the Regiment we get only forty-five francs a month. Of course we have nothing to spend it on except ‘‘eats’’, and we certainly kept the shops busy around here. I got back to my Company on Tuesday night, and, believe me, I was glad to get back. As you see by the heading, wearein the trenches. am writing this in my dug-out, which is very comfortable. It has a wooden floor, which is something new. We managed to get some wood and coke, and the brazier is blazing away at my feet. So, all things considered, it’s “ЗаКе” (new slang word). I wish you could see how I am rigged out: rubber boots up to my hips, a short leather coat and a big steel helmet. The Huns are quiet this morning. I guess they are getting sick of the war. I had a letter from mother yesterday. She seemed to take it for granted that I was coming home. Much as I appreciate your offer, І wouldn't dream of going back until I have done my ''bit, and I am glad you didn't do anything until you heard from me . . . . . . Good-bye for a while. It's dinner time, and I am starving, as usual.

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18 LOYOLA COLLEGE REVIEW Somebody sent me out a copy of it. Unfortunately, I do not know who it was, because it was sent to my mother, and she sent it on to me in France, so I could not tell by the writing. I was really delighted to get it. The pictures were awfully good, and I think it is one of the best things Loyola has published. I used to wonder sometimes why the College didn't try to keep in touch with its Old Boys, but that book was a joy to me for days while I read every word of it. I would write to the editors myself, only I don't know who they are, and there are very few popie I know left at the College. Thats why I am asking you to congratulate them kindly or me. I must apologise for the paper and the writing, but the ship is rolling all over the place, and it's the only paper I can get. Just now, after four and a half months in France, I am on my way to the Balkans, where we ought to get some rather different fighting. Trench warfare is exciting enough, too much so at times, but this will, I hope, be more open and produce more obvious results. According to our wireless, we are badly needed in Serbia, where the Germans and Bulgars seem to have completely wiped out the Serbian army. However, I hope we E be able to get our own back somewhat, if only we can land without running into a tor о. I’m afraid I must stop now and rush down to stables. They keep us pretty busy оп board and I have a lot of letters to write. We will leave a bag of mail at Malta as we pass to- night, and it will be my last chance to write Christmas letters home. I hope, some day, if I can fool the Bulgars as successfully as I have the Boches, to be able to get back to Loyola and see the old crowd again. Meanwhile, I must wish you, the Faculty and the pupils the very merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Years. LETTER FROM FREDERICK. C. DE ZOUCHE: Shorncliffe, Kent. March 23rd, 1916. Very many thanks for sending me “ The Gazette” serving with the Forces. I have met a few of them: McGovern I met in France pretty close to the firing line; Fletcher, I met here in England last summer and in France also; Ernest Grimes and I enlisted the same day in Ottawa, on December 9th, 1914. Grimes joined the Horse Transport and | joined the Mechanical Transport. I met him again over here and in France. I have heard of several other Loyola Boys, but have not been able to trace them. hen I first joined, I enlisted as a motor truck driver and served in that capacity until December last, 1915, when I got hurt and was forced to return to England from the front. However, Ї am fairly fit again and expect to return to France shortly as a despatch rider. Since I carne out of hospital, I have been despatch-riding for Headquarters, but I am still attached to the C. A.S.C. base operating depot, Shorncliff. It might interest you to know that another Loyola Boy, a nephew of mine, J. А. Mac- Casham, is in the United States Navy, and has been for the last two and a half years. Another Loyola Boy, but one who attended the College only for a couple of months, is here at the present time, А. А. Lessard, 1зї Div. Supply Column. Не also was wounded in France. Just now he is driving an ambulance. My original unit was the 2nd Div. Supply Column. І have been away from Canada for nearly a year now. IIl be awfully glad to get back to the old home. I would like to tell you of my experiences while in France, but I don't want to bore you, and I know you must be very busy. I heard some time ago that your new buildings in Montreal West were nearly completed. I am very glad to hear it, as the old place on Drum- mond must have become very cramped. LETTER FROM MAJOR BOYCE: March 7th, 1916. with the list of the Loyola Boys Your thoughtfulness in sending me a Christmas box was very much appreciated indeed. Many thanks from an old friend of years' standing. How is life with you? You are at the dear old College. God bless Loyola! May it constantly prosper and blossom out into one of the greatest Canadian Colleges! Already, in quality, Loyola leaves nothing to be desired. Let us hope that, with greater facilities, material welfare may be likewise. The old College was not very large in my day, but some of the boys are doing well out here. I have come across only а few, but there are others. Among those whom І met are my good friends, Lieut. Frank Maguire, 2nd Battalion, now on sick leave in England from injury received in the trenches; Lieut. Joe Power, 2nd Battalion, now in Canada sick; Lieut. ' Chubby Power, 2rd Battalion, now in England badly wounded; Lieuts. Pierre and Philippe Chevalier, 14th and 22nd Battalions, one of whom is severely wounded and now in England; Lieut. Cla- rence Doheny of the Artillery; Sergeant Adrian Fletcher, whose application for a commission I recently signed; and Lieut. Arthur McGovern, of the 28th Battalion. I know Lieut. George Vanier is here, but have not yet seen him. Likewise they say Leo Lynch is here and others whom we are bound to run across in the course of our work. It may interest you to know that I am the only Catholic Medical Officer in my ambulance, and am also the second in command. The O.C. is a Montrealer, who practised in Quebec. However, everything goes along splendidly; out here, as a rule, we appreciate our neighbours on their true merits.