Wounded in Action (II) and Letters from Front
The 1st Canadian Division left for France in February 1915 under the command of MGen Arthur Currie after having cooled his heels training on the Salisbury Plain since its arrival in England. Private J.R. Hubble was likely among the soldier who fought their way along a stabilised Western Front from early 1915 until the Battle of the Somme in summer and fall of 1916. Like most other 22 year old men in arms, he was likely feeling ready to go attack the Hun and be home by Christmas. Like most other infantry soldiers who fought along the Western Front, Ross Hubble would be wounded in action. The Battle of the Somme produced some of the most horrific one-day and overall human losses in the history of warfare up until that point.
Beginning in July 1916, General Haig ordered allied forces to renew the offensive along the Western Front. After some initial but costly success, the battle deteriorated into a stalemate of attrition. By September, the Canadians were mounting the third major offensive in the Battle of the Somme with the intent of penetrating German defenses and taking key terrain from the enemy. The Canadians achieved tactical success, and the battle of Flers-Courcellette from September 15-22 saw the first use of the tank in warfare. Yet all along, these gains were miniscule and costly. LGen Gough's Reserve Army was deployed to take the German fortress of Thiepval, an original objective of the Somme offensive. The Canadians held the right flank and advanced at noon on September 26 north of Courcellette under the creeping barrage of artiller that was the tactical signature of General Curry. During the advance at the Somme, a shell landed near four Canadians, killing two instantly and wounding Ross Hubble. These soldiers were recruited out of Vegreville near Edmonton, Alberta. As the Canadians pushed on and consolidated their success, Ross Hubble was evacuated to St Luke's Military Hospital in Bradford, England. Two weeks later, he underwent surgery and shortly after wrote again to his brother William Hubble in Havelock, Ontario. This time, his brother sent the letter to the Havelock Standard, to be published for the community.
Dear Brother,
Just a few lines to let yo know that I am still alive, but I can't say that I am well. I had an operation last night and had a piece of dead bone taken out of my arm, and think I shall feel a lot better when I get some of the dope out of my system. There is a piece of shrapnel still in my arm, but it don't bother me much so I think they will leave it there. Well Will, this is going to be a short letter this time. I tell you they very nearly cleaned up the 1st division of Canadians on Sept 26th and 27th. There were four of us from Vegerville. Two were killed, and I have not heard from the other yet. We have "Fritzy" on the run now, but it is going to cost a lot of lives yet. As I see it, the artillery does all the work and the infantry is just put there to stop the [enemy] shells. I don't think that I shall stop any more [artillery shells] for a few months. They don't pay us any wages while we are in the hospital, but they use us the very best otherwise. There is a fellow next to me from Toronto. Most of the soldiers here are Imperials. I am going to look up the 93rd [Infantry battalion, from Peterborough] when I get better. Well, as news is scarce, I will have to close. Hoping this finds all well and that you write soon.
Your brother, Pte. J.R. Hubble
On March 22, 1917 the Havelock Standard reported that Private Hubble arrived home the previous Saturday morning after having been wounded fighting at front during the Battle of the Somme. After spending a few days at home, Pte Hubble was off to Toronto for further treatment.
As I wrote earlier in Wounded in Action, wounded soldiers deserve the best treatment. No longer are wounded soldiers withheld pay while recovering in hospital. Ross's mention of looking up the 93rd battalion after convalescence indicates that many soldiers wish to remain active in the service despite being wounded. The 93rd never saw action as a formed unit, and probably trained individual recruits for reinforcements in active battalions. In todays army, Pte Hubble would probably have been accomodated in such a unit. Ross's letter, more than being a sobering insight into family history, is a reminder that our generation is not the first to face the question of treating wounded veterans, and that our economic, military and technological advances must be matched with advances in compassion and fairness.
Beginning in July 1916, General Haig ordered allied forces to renew the offensive along the Western Front. After some initial but costly success, the battle deteriorated into a stalemate of attrition. By September, the Canadians were mounting the third major offensive in the Battle of the Somme with the intent of penetrating German defenses and taking key terrain from the enemy. The Canadians achieved tactical success, and the battle of Flers-Courcellette from September 15-22 saw the first use of the tank in warfare. Yet all along, these gains were miniscule and costly. LGen Gough's Reserve Army was deployed to take the German fortress of Thiepval, an original objective of the Somme offensive. The Canadians held the right flank and advanced at noon on September 26 north of Courcellette under the creeping barrage of artiller that was the tactical signature of General Curry. During the advance at the Somme, a shell landed near four Canadians, killing two instantly and wounding Ross Hubble. These soldiers were recruited out of Vegreville near Edmonton, Alberta. As the Canadians pushed on and consolidated their success, Ross Hubble was evacuated to St Luke's Military Hospital in Bradford, England. Two weeks later, he underwent surgery and shortly after wrote again to his brother William Hubble in Havelock, Ontario. This time, his brother sent the letter to the Havelock Standard, to be published for the community.
Dear Brother,
Just a few lines to let yo know that I am still alive, but I can't say that I am well. I had an operation last night and had a piece of dead bone taken out of my arm, and think I shall feel a lot better when I get some of the dope out of my system. There is a piece of shrapnel still in my arm, but it don't bother me much so I think they will leave it there. Well Will, this is going to be a short letter this time. I tell you they very nearly cleaned up the 1st division of Canadians on Sept 26th and 27th. There were four of us from Vegerville. Two were killed, and I have not heard from the other yet. We have "Fritzy" on the run now, but it is going to cost a lot of lives yet. As I see it, the artillery does all the work and the infantry is just put there to stop the [enemy] shells. I don't think that I shall stop any more [artillery shells] for a few months. They don't pay us any wages while we are in the hospital, but they use us the very best otherwise. There is a fellow next to me from Toronto. Most of the soldiers here are Imperials. I am going to look up the 93rd [Infantry battalion, from Peterborough] when I get better. Well, as news is scarce, I will have to close. Hoping this finds all well and that you write soon.
Your brother, Pte. J.R. Hubble
On March 22, 1917 the Havelock Standard reported that Private Hubble arrived home the previous Saturday morning after having been wounded fighting at front during the Battle of the Somme. After spending a few days at home, Pte Hubble was off to Toronto for further treatment.
As I wrote earlier in Wounded in Action, wounded soldiers deserve the best treatment. No longer are wounded soldiers withheld pay while recovering in hospital. Ross's mention of looking up the 93rd battalion after convalescence indicates that many soldiers wish to remain active in the service despite being wounded. The 93rd never saw action as a formed unit, and probably trained individual recruits for reinforcements in active battalions. In todays army, Pte Hubble would probably have been accomodated in such a unit. Ross's letter, more than being a sobering insight into family history, is a reminder that our generation is not the first to face the question of treating wounded veterans, and that our economic, military and technological advances must be matched with advances in compassion and fairness.
posted by Lt Smash at 9:10 AM
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