James Rowell was brought up in the industrial East Midlands of England. His parents were very affectionate and godly people. They belonged to a Strict and Particular Baptist Church. James' mother died before the war ended, on 28th March 1918, two days before he returned to Canada on a hospital ship. Her obituary filled two and a half pages in [...]
Pte. J. B. Rowell, emigrated to Canada in 1912 for health reasons; his doctor ordered a more suitable climate. These health issues resurfaced during his time with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces (CEF) and would continue throughout his life; although he outlived all of his siblings. He was eventually invalided out of active service because of [...]
Had breakfast in the city of Winnipeg. Later reported at Agricultural College, the Head quarters of the no. 11th, Field Ambulance. We were medically examined and all passed. (I have a 4 inch chest expansion.) We were given our uniforms and sworn before 4pm. We attended our first lecture. In the evening we went down to [...]
Packing and visiting. Left Brandon on the evening train for Winnipeg. We spent the night in the city. "Taken on Brandon Station just before leaving for Winnipeg to enlist. April 1916" (Personal diary)
James attended Brandon College from January 1913 until he enlisted in April 1916, just a couple of months before he was due to graduate. Brandon College later became the catalyst in the Liberal / Fundamentalist controversy in British Columbia, and James was one of the leaders in the fundamentalist cause. Rose early and finished packing. Visited [...]
J. B. Rowell; Brandon College, 1914 While at Brandon College James pastored in a number of Baptist churches in Manitoba, including Manitou, Keleida and Medora. James was pastoring the Baptist church in Medora when he enlisted. He recorded his final Sunday at that church. My farewell day in Medora. John ... fetched me [...]
On the 7th February 1916 there was an advertisement in the Winnipeg Tribune for men to join the war effort. J. B. Rowell enlisted in April of 1916 with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces (CEF) and was invalided home in January 1917. Here is an extract of a letter written from the Somme, 1916, just a sample of the faith [...]