thought this was an interesting book I found, kept by a Captain Maclaren of the 92nd batt 48th highlanders CEF, these are carbon copies of requests/information sent back from the front line, one casualty H Osbourne, on the first page who was shell shocked later went on to win the Military Medal for bravery in October 1918. Pretty hard to read some entries but have most figured out now. Capt Maclaren was hospitalized after a gas attack just a day or so after the last entry in the book
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I have been able to find these mens attestation papers and through finding their address have visited their old houses in Toronto, quite sobering to imagine these men leaving through the front doors to an unknown fate....below is some information I was sent (very kindly) by the 48th Highlander museum in Toronto, well worth a visit if you are ever in the city
Captain Kenneth Bruce MACLAREN enlisted with the 48th as a Provisional Lieutenant November 19, 1914 and was confirmed as a Lieutenant in 1915. Although I can not find the actual date it was probably before he joined the 92nd O.S. Battalion (Highlanders) C.E.F. in September of that year. While with the 92nd he was promoted to the rank of Captain, March 6,1916.The 92nd sailed for England on the S.S. Empress of Britain on the 20th of May 1916. Our records do not reveal when he actually joined the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders) but during his time with the 15th he served as Assistant Adjutant and then Adjutant.
Private Frederick George SARGENT, service number 799369 enlisted in the 134th Battalion C.E.F. (48th Highlanders) in January 1916. He sailed aboard the S.S.Scotian from Halifax, August 8,1916 and on completion of training in the U.K. he joined the 15th Battalion, October 10,1916, serving in #4 Company. He was hospitalised briefly in 1917, no details in our records. On March 9, 1918 while serving in a front line trench, an enemy artillery shell landed directly in the trench near him and the concussion resulted in his death. He is buried in Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, British Extension.
You might like to visit both the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and the Canadian Virtual War Memorial (CVWM) sites online regarding Pte. SARGENT.
Corporal Hursell Marine OSBORNE, MM (Military Medal), service number 800237 also enlisted with the 134th Battalion. He joined the 15th on January 28th., 1918. He was wounded March 9, 1918 and following his recovery he rejoined the 15th on the 18th of September. L/Corporal October16, 1918 and then Corporal on February 24th., 1919.
In an operation at Hamblain-Blache, north of Cambrai, on October 12, 1918 he won his Military Medal. Sent forward with another man to find the location of an enemy machine gun that was holding up the advance, they came under fire and his comrade was seriously wounded. Pte. Osborne completed his mission after having helped his comrade to a place of safety.He then returned to help his wounded friend. Enemy fire was so heavy it was not possible to bring the man in and Osborne remained with him until after dark. His display of devotion to duty and to his comrades led to his much deserved award.Comment
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