My name is Hugh Whitney and I am writing a book about my grandfathers life. His name was
Ralph Forrester. Probably the most significant part of it was the years spent as a
stretcher bearer with the 7th Canadian Cavalry Field Ambulance in France during WWI. This
unit served as the medical support to the Canadian Cavalry Brigade and therefore the RCD,
LSH and FGH.
I have read through the posting on this list and noticed reference to the battles at
Moreuil Wood and Rifle Wood on March 30th, 1918 and April 1, 1918 respectively. My
grandfather was involved in both and received the Military Medal for evacuations at Rifle
Wood, as did two other stretcher bearers with him, Gideon Broderick and Richard Henry
Langford.
As a medical unit there is very little written history that I can find. I have copied and
transcribed the War Diary (which usually provides only bare-bone descriptions of
movements), I have read through the War Diaries of the RCD, LSH, FGH and CCB HQ; I have
looked through the records of court martials, and read the Regimental histories and
personal accounts published by surviving soldiers of the three cavalry regiments but am
not getting much detail on the actions of the field ambulance. I have also read the books
by J.E.B. Seely as well as the recent one by his grandson, Brough Scott, entitled
Galloper Jack. In addition, I have obtained my grandfathers military and pension
records.
Though my grandfather survived the war, he returned shell-shocked and given 6 months to
live once he returned to Canada. He actually survived 25 years but was never a healthy
man again. He tragically died in 1944, 4 months after hearing that his eldest son had
died at Ortona, Italy.
His medical problems started sometime in 1916, around the time of the Battle of the Somme
though the CCB was not directly involved. I can find no information on the events that
lead to these problems.
I am looking for advice from anyone as to where else I can search. I have found a
surviving relative of Mr. Gideon Broderick but have not located any relative or record of
Mr. Richard Henry Langford other than his attestation papers.
Out of interest, Mr. Brough Scott has completed a film on his grandfathers life including
the time in WWI and the Battle of Moreuil Wood. Also, during this past week, two
monuments were dedicated in France to two of the three soldiers who won VCs with the CCB
during WWI. I can provide more info to anyone who is interested.
I was in France in September 2003 and visited many of the sites where the CCB had been
active. Though I did not take photos of all of the headstones that I saw of CCB soldiers
I did take a few, including many cemeteries. I also visited the cathedral in Amiens and
photographed the RCD plaque on one of its pillars. If anyone wishes some of these photos
please contact me.
Any advice or comments?
Thank you.
Hugh Whitney
St. Johns, Newfoundland