Loyola College - Review Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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CORPORAL STANTON HUDSON, 12th Canadian Machine Company. Killed in action, at Passchendaele, November 14th, 1917. Military Medal. Old Loyola, 1907.

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28 LOYOLA COLLEGE REVIEW France, April 28th, 1917. On the night of the 24th and 25th, I went forward with ammunition. After some little excitement, I got the ammunition all in, and everybody out except a N.C.O., who had not got out; as I was to ride his horse back (he was staying) I had to wait. Well, the old Hun started in with Whiz-bangs. I couldn't get through the barrage so I hugged the ground in a ditch and waited. After some time, things became fairly quiet and I started out round the outskirts of . the place shelled. Iran into my Corporal and he handed me over his horse and went on. I had just mounted and started away when a Whiz-bang burst just at my shoulder it seemed, and I felt something burn my leg. I think the horse must have been hit also for he started away cross country as hard as he could go, jumping trenches ` and shell-holes, and paying no heed to the way I pulled on his mouth. I got home without any further accidents except that a big gun went off, blinding me for a moment and I then collided with a pack-mule going the opposite way. It gave my back a bit of a strain, but the rest here had fixed me up well. I found the wound very slight and decided that I would not go out, but the others made me go to the dressing-station next day just to be sure it was O.K. I was inoculated for tetanus and sent down here to give my back a rest. The hospital is in a very pretty spot. Anything without shell-holes and mud looks pretty to me. FROM MAJOR A. C. CULVER, 19th BATTERY It is with more sincere regret than I can say that I am writing to tell you that your son was killed to-day. As I should have expected, knowing him as I did, it was in an effort to help two of our gunners who had just been hit. You will have the great satisfaction of knowing that your son died a splendid officer. He had been with me for nearly a year, and I shall always ap- preciate a great deal more than I can express, the honour of commanding an officer, who, though only a boy in years, was in every sense a man and a soldier. He was recommended last April for the Military Cross on account of this thorough work on the day of the advance, when he went over with the infantry to the last objective, not failing to keep up com- munications. His going will leave a great blank amongst the officers and his Section, for owing to his kindly and unselfish nature, his willingness and good spirits, there was not an officer or man with whom he came in contact, who did not appreciate him. FROM FATHER FORTIER, CHAPLAIN, MAJOR I made it my duty to preside at your son's funeral, for not only did I lose a Catholic officer, but a personal friend and this morning I made it my duty to say Mass for the repose of his soul. I understand Sir, how great must be your grief and that of his mother. Words are not sufficient to ex- press my sympathy and condolence in such a moment of bereavement. May you find your consolation in that truest religious saying: “ God's Holy Will be done. He has taken unto Himself the son whom He had confided to your care. His death was that of a hero, inasmuch as he devoted himself to save his wounded men. Тһе Canadian Army has lost one of the most able and devoted officers. May his death and the wilful offer- ing of his life help to attain the victory so long ex- ‘pected. FROM LIEUT.-COL. J. S. STEWARD, 19th BATTERY I did not get acquainted with your son until about April 9th, when he did heroic work for the Brigade while he was doing Liaison work with the infantry. He went all through that eventful day and his services were highly appreciated Бу the infantry with whom he was. Since that day I have often met your boy. He enjoyed not only our confidence but also our , admiration; always cheerful under the most trying circumstances and always having a cheering word and influence. He was always optimistic and never once downhearted. He will be sorely missed by his fellow-officers in the Brigade and by the boys in the Brigade, who admired and loved him. I pray that the £ood God will be near you and comfort you and his loved ones in this dark day. FROM THE DECEASED'S COUSIN, GUNNER S. PLUNKETT I have met several men who served under Ned in France, and being wounded, were sent here. It would indeed please you to hear them talk about him. They tell me he was the most popular and the bravest officer in the Battery. Bdr. Chisholm and he had their first experience of shell-fire together. He tells me that Ned was simply fine and it gave him courage to see the calm and fearless way in which Ned acted. He was indeed a son to be proud of and when I am at the Front, I shall always remember my brave cousin. CAPTAIN MELVIN JOHNSON Captain Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Johnson, was born in Boston in 1895, and came to Loyola in 1903. Later on, after leaving Loyola, he was employed in his father’s business. Melvin had a long experience at the Front. After enlisting he became identified with the ‘‘ Canadian Mounted Rifles” in 1915, In 1916 he was wounded, but his undaunted spirit was not yet satisfied. After a long period in the hospital he returned once again to the conflict. His bravery is amply proven by the fact that he was made ‘ Chevalier de l'ordre de Prince Danilol,’’ by King Nicholas of Montenegro, on October 30th, 1916. He was also named Captain on the field of action. Just-one year after military honours had been conferred on him, Captain Johnson was killed while leading his men to victory at Passchendaele, on October 30th, 1917. Loyola extends her sincere sympathies to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.

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30 LOYOLA.COLLEGE REVIEW CORPORAL STANTON HUDSON When Stanton Hudson's name appeared in the list of Canadian casualties, Loyola mourned the loss of a true Catholic gentle- man and a loyal alumnus. He was born in Perth, Ont., on September 16th, 1893, began his education in Perth Separate School and later attended Perth Collegiate for two years, whence he came to Loyola in 1907. When at Loyola, Stanton already mani- fested the qualities which were to mark him as a soldier on the battlefield. A generous: self-sacrificing boy, ever ready to do his share in upholding the honour of his College in whatever sphere his activities were required, he won for himself life-long friends with the pupils and professors. On leaving Loyola in 1912, his aim was to take up Civil Engineering, and, as he wished to have some practical work before finishing his course, he accepted a position in the Transcontinental for one year. At the end of that time, he became engaged with the engineers of the C.P.R., until he finally took a position with the Northern Develop- ment Branch of the Ontario Government. He enlisted with the Canadian Grenadier FROM MAJOR L. I. PEARCE Your son was with me a few: minutes beforé he was hit by a shell. He had just been to my head- quarters to make a report on his guns and was returning to his guns when a shell came and he was mortally wounded. He did not recover consciousness before his death a few minutes later. I was present at the burial and a small cross marks the place of his last resting place. During Ше attack the week previous, he was one of the outstanding N.C.O.'s of his section, and for his initiative and courage was then awarded the Military Medal. Itis our regret that he has not survived and the officers and men of my Company miss your son very much. . He was a most regular attendant at the Catholic Church Services and took every opportunity of attend- ing. His body is buried at Tynn Cott Cemetery. FROM LIEUT. J. D. RIDDELE The fighting at Passchendaele was indeed very severe and it was more by good luck that any of us came out alive; the shelling was continuous day and night with practically no shelter, the condition of the ground being such that dug-outs were impossible. Your son will be a great loss to the Company and a greater one to his Section. I looked on him as a coming man, and had he lived, he would certainly have made a name for himself. On the day he was killed, we had quite a few casualties; the section was naturally worn out and weary of the continuous shelling. Under these trying Guards at Montreal, and having finished his training at St. Johns, Que., left for overseas on April 15th, 1915. While at Bramshott Training Camp, he was transferred to the 12th Canadian Machine Company, in which he continued until his death. From the time that he left England for France, August 15th, he was continually on Active Service, taking part in the battles of the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Lens and Passchendaele. He was promoted to Corporal and was also awarded the Military Medal one week previous to his death for worthy deeds performed in the Passchendaele engagement. Before making the supreme sacrifice, he was once wounded. His chaplain informed Mr. Hudson, that shortly before being killed on November 14th, Stanton had received Holy Communion. In one of his own letters, Stanton, after mentioning that he frequently met old Loyola Boys, remarked that he often served Mass back of the firing line. On behalf of his old College, we offer his relatives our deep sympathy in their grief at his loss. conditions, Stanton organized stretcher bearers, supervised the burial of his comrades and many other worthy deeds, in carrying out his duty. His loss has affected me greatly and he can never be replaced in the Company. I might add with pride that his recommendation for the Military Medal was granted. He was buried with full military honours. FROM STANTON HUDSON . (HIS VOYAGE ACROSS) We set sail on Wednesday, April 26th, 1917. There were three of us in the convoy—The Empress of Britain, The Lapland and the Metagama. We were accompanied by the cruiser Kenervin. The sea was very rough and many were seasick; the decks were lined with men, leaning over the railing. We had fine weather the whole way across although at times the sea was very rough. It seemed very strange to look out and see nothing but water on every side. We did not follow the regular course; the Captain had been on the Hesperian when she was torpedoed in the Mediterranean and he was naturally very careful. Friday they mounted a guard with rifles aft and stern on the look-out for sub- marines. We had to take turns, three men to each gun for twenty-four hours, Thursday afternoon we were joined by the cruiser Drake and the Kenervin went back to Halifax. On Saturday afternoon she chased a boat that showed upon the Northern Horizon and didn’t answer her signals. However it proved to be some tramp schooner. I saw quite a few whales from a distance but nothing that looked like a submarine. Great