Baptist Pastor J.B. Rowell on the Somme Front
Between the months of July and September of 1916 allied forces engaged in one of the bloodiest battles in human history; the battle of the Somme, in northern France. Vimy Ridge is etched in Canada’s national memory, but in October of 1916 the 2nd and 3rd Division of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, engaged at the Somme, were victorious at the battle of Courcelette. In September these Divisions were limped into reserve and replaced by the 4th Division. James B. Rowell, a Baptist pastor, served with the 11th Canadian Field Ambulance in the 4th Division. His story is told in his personal diary, letters to his fiancée, and also the official diary of the 11th Canadian Field Ambulance.
A brief account of the life of
Dr. J.B. Rowell
September 2016
(Thursday 10th August 1916) France At Last
The entire 4th Division of the CEF left Southampton for France on the evening of August 10th. The decks and every corridor of the Princess Clementine were crowded with sleeping soldiers. They arrived at LeHavre, [...]
July 2016
(July 1916) Still Waiting For Deployment
With the horrific aftermath of the first day of battle at the Somme, we often forget that the attrition continued for a number of months. Other divisions of the Canadian war effort were engaged early in [...]
Saturday 1st July 1916 (A Contrast: Canada Day Celebrations and the Somme Attrition)
King George V inspects the troops at Hankley Common On 1st July 1916 British infantry engaged in one of the most bloody battles in history; the Somme Offensive. The plan was simple; for seven [...]
June 2016
Sunday 18th June 1916 (Four Day Pass to Visit Family)
During the time at Bramshott James' diary records more of his relationship with Lucy. His thoughts find expression in Pitmans Shorthand, by which he can secure a little privacy. When he gets to the front [...]
Monday 12th June 1916 (The March to Camp Bramshott)
Camp Bramshott was a temporary camp set up on Bramshott Common in the south of England. Camp Bramshott was the base for Canadian troops during the First and Second World Wars. The 11th Field Ambulance left Twezeldown [...]
Saturday 10th June 1916 (A Little Romance …)
James met Lucy Kelk on a preaching trip to the Cornwell coast back in May 1910. Lucy was on holiday with her three friends in the village of Looe. James and Lucy immediately struck up a relationship. [...]
May 2016
Wednesday 31st May 1916 (Military Camp-Life at Twezeldown)
Before moving on to Bramshott the unit was billeted at Twezeldown for about two weeks. In the few days spent at Twezeldown they enjoyed the relative comfort of huts; this would not be normal "camp-life." [...]
Tuesday 30th May 1916 (English Soil at Last)
After arriving in Liverpool the unit disembarked in the early morning of the 30th and made its way to Twezeldown Camp in the south of England. Twezeldown was a temporary stop for two weeks before moving on [...]
Monday 29th May 1916 (Northern Ireland, Isle of Man … and Liverpool)
On the 29th May James wrote in his diary; Today we passed along the coast of Ireland, the Isle of Man and other Islands. It was certainly beautiful. The Canadians thought the scenery was grand. [...]
Saturday 27th May 1916 (“The Danger Zone”)
After almost one week at sea the convoy was now off the coast of Ireland. This area of the North Atlantic was known as the "Danger Zone" and measures were taken to lessen the threat [...]