MILITARY MEDALS

Edmonton Bulletin

25 May 1918

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War Decorations provided by Lieut.-Governor Brett at Impressive Ceremony.

Medals Given Relatives of Four dead heroes and two men home from the Front – One decoration awarded by Russian Government – Mayor of Edmonton Participates in Investitures.

A young woman dressed in mourning clothes and with a little child by her side. The woman, herself little more than a girl, standing with sorrowing eyes while there is pinned to her breast the shining token which marks the bravery and devotion of the dead soldier, husband and father.

This is the picture which Edmonton folk saw on Friday afternoon at the Parliament buildings, when Lieut-Governor Brett had the honor of investing the relatives of four dead soldiers and two returned veterans with decorations awarded for the conspicuous bravery of the soldiers when in action.

The war has come to Edmonton in a series of pictures or phases. There were the alarms and rumors of the early days, the call for men, the enlistings, the goings of the regiments – the farewells.

Another series has now begun. We have seen some of the returns, and through them are beginning to realize a little of what war means. But the event of Friday afternoon – the latest war picture to come to the city – had a new story and meaning to tell. In it was materialized the triumph of the individual over death and circumstances.

Edmonton saw her gallant lads enlisting; she watched them march away – careless lad, the stalwart young father, both rejoicing in their strength and pride of life. Some of them have come back broken and tired. Others will never return to the wives and children left behind.

Deeds Imperishable

But whether they gave up their lives on the battlefield, or have returned sorely stricken, barely cheating death, their deeds are imperishable, and this was the meaning of Friday’s ceremony – acknowledgement of the men who are, to use the oft quoted phrase, making “footprints on the sands of time.”

Grief has come to the widow and children, but with it the reason for great pride, and the lieutenant-governor never spoke more fitting words than when he said to the recipients of the decorations on Friday:

“I will not attempt to utter words to beguile the sorrow which has come to you, for you must know that your husbands and sons have died the most noble death that could fall to any man. You have a constant sacrifice on the altar of justice and right.”

The inclemency of the weather on Friday was a great drawback to the proceedings, for, on account of the weather, the parade which was to have started from the market-place on Rice street and to have proceeded to the Parliament building had to be cancelled, also the idea of holding the investiture in the open air in front of the buildings. Further, the public were not sufficiently apprised of the fact that the ceremony would take place inside the Parliament buildings and in consequence the attendance of the general public was not so good as it might have been.

Cadets Form Guard of Honor

The central figures, naturally, were the recipients of the medals, and they were conveyed to the buildings in motor cars provided by members of the city council, afterwards being seated at the top of the staircase in the central hall. A guard of honor for them and the Lieut.-Governor was formed by Cadets from the public school battalion, who lined each side of the stairway. They were under the command of Major Hogbin, of Calgary, who has been in the city carrying out the annual inspections. There was also a detachment from the Reserve militia. Members and officials of the Great War Veterans’ association were present and returned men from the military hospitals, who all took greatest interest in the proceedings.

Mayor Opens Ceremony

The proceedings were opened by Mayor Evans, who spoke of the importance and significance of the occasion and the pity that the weather had interfered with its being accorded, the amount of recognition that it deserved from the public by their attendance. Alluding to the reasons for the ceremony, he spoke of the wonderful standard of courage set by the men and said that in honoring them they were honoring all the men who were fighting. He then spoke of the steps taken to give the returned soldiers a home at the College Ave. site and expressed the hope that the future would see all such events held there. In conclusion, he spoke of the importance of the general outlook of the citizens on the war, and said that the morale of the nation was as important as the morale of the army. It behoves every citizen to show the same unflinching courage and devotion to duty as had been givenby these men.

His honor the Lieut.-Governor spoke of the pride that it gave him to carry out the duty of presenting the medals. It was an occasion, which called for joy, because of knowing that such worthy men had come from their city, but it was job tinctured with sorrow when they thought of those who had fallen. Continueing, the Lieut.-Governor said that no matter what sort of a high postion was held by any man it compared but poorly with the man who had won distinction for bravery and performance of duty in the face of the enemy.

Three Chief Stones

There had been three main stones in the building up of the British Emprire, and these were the bravery of her soldiers, the loyalty of the citizens and the integrity of her statesman. So long as these three things remained, the British Empire must continue to be great. He then alluded to the great men of the past, whose names were recorded in the history of the Empire, and said that the deeds of these men had been an incentive to men of the present day. When the history of the present day was written there were deeds to be recorded which would rank equal with the greatest happenings of the past, and be an example for years to come. The spirit of the men of the British army was indestructible and it was the only thing that the Germans were afraid of and which they could not defeat.

Medals Presented

The investiture was then carried out, His honor pinning the decorations to the clothes of the recipients. These were six in all, three widows and one father and two returned men. There was no official account of why the decoration in each case had been awarded and the military authorities stated that the particulars had not yet been supplied. The Bulletin, however, has done its best to supply the deficiency.

The first to be decorated was Mrs. E.T. McEvoy, widow of Corp. E.T. McEvoy, of the 4^th battalion, and previously of the Edmonton Highlanders. Corp. McEvoy who was killed on October of 1917 was awarded the Military Medal. There was a certain amount of mystery attached to the circumstances which has never yet been explained, as Corp. McEvoy wrote and told his wife that he, as one of 200 men who had volunteered were bound for certain work in Belgium to which great danger was attached and that the chances of contiueing through were small.

Corp.

E.T.

McEvoy

4^th Battalion

Previously of Edmonton Highlanders.

Homestead in Westlock

Killed: Oct. 1917

(shrapnel)

Military Medal

Received by his widow: Mrs. E.T. McEvoy

(Boyle Street)

The next communication received was when Corp. McEvoy had returned and it was stated that he was to have the medal, but no mention was ever made of the nature of the work in Belgium. From the letters received from comrades and officers, Corp. MCEvoy who, by the way, was always alluded to as Sergeant was a most popular man in the regiment and fearless to a degreee. He met death, when, with two other sergeants.

Went to Rescue Airman

They had gone to the rescue of an aviator whose machine had fallen in flames. Sergt. McEvoy was struck in three places with shrapnel and was killed. It was stated that he had been recommended for decoration for the deed with which he was engaged when killed. He told his wife he had his papers as sergeant, and he was always called sergeant in letters sent to Mrs. McEvoy until killed and then the militia department dropped the rank to corporal. Mr. And Mrs. McEvoy, who are both Americans who came into the district some years ago, and homesteaded at Westlock and later Mr. McEvoy carried out contracting work at Edmonton. He is well known by many in the city and as was stated before, was a most popular man with his fellows, and was always ready to help if danger threatened anyone. Lieut. C. A. Millician, who forwarded the news of his death to Mrs. McEvoy, said that he was carried to the grave by six other sergeants, A.S. Bell, J.T. Ball, A.W. Moffat, P. McNeill, J. Sawne and A. J. Bailey.

Mrs. McEvoy is now living at Boyle street.

Mrs. J.E. Muttart, who was accompanied by her little four-year old daughter Katherine, was decorated with the Military Medal won by the gallant conduct of her late husband, Lance-Corp. W. Adamson. The medal was won in August. 1917 at Lens when a German attack had broken the line. Lance-Corp. Adamson, who was in charge of a machine gun section, hung on, and in the face of great odds saved of the situation. He was killed in October of last year. Lance-Corp. Adamson who was a postal clerk and 30 years of age, went away with the 101^st regiment in 1914 with the rank of regimental Q.M.S. and afterwards reverted in order to go to the front.

Lance-Corp.

Adamson

101^st Regiment

Postal Clerk

Killed Oct. 1917

Military Medal (won in Aug. 1917)

Medal received by wife: Mrs. J.E. Muttart (McKnight and Frost Block 107^th St. Edmonton?)

Mrs. Adamson lives at the McKnight and Frost block on 107^th Street.

Henry T. Baugust, of North Edmonton, received the medal won by his son. Pte. Lawrence John Baugust, who was killed in action in July, 1914, two days after his conduct had caused him to be recommended for decoration. He was 19 years of age and the second man to enlist in the 49^th battalion. A brother, Robert Henry Baugust, of the Royal Warwickshire regiment, was killed in September of 1916. Mr. Baugust having thus lost two sons in the war.

Pte.

Lawrence John

Baugust

49^th Battalion

Killed in action July 1914

Military Medal

Received by Father: Henry T. Baugust (North Edmonton)

Held Position Single Handed

Corp. A. R. Hodgkins, of the 50^th Battalion, a returned veteran, was awarded the military Cross. On November 18, 1916, he took part in operations on the Somme front from that part of the line known as Regina trench, where an attack was made on the enemy position. By great dash the bombers of the 50^th Battalion advanced and established themselves in the territory gained, but Corp. Hodgkins and four other bombers found themselves in an exposed position and in close proximity to enemy fire. Three of the party were killed, and Corp. Hodgkins and his chum were left to deal with a batch of prisoners. Realizing the importance of maintaining the post. Corp. Hodgkins sent his chum back with the prisoners, and held the dangerous position single-handed until relief arrived seven hours later, thereby preventing the enemy from turning the flank at that point.

Corp.	A.R.	Hodgkins	50^th Battalion	Returned Veteran	Military Cross (Held position on Nov. 18, 1916 single handed)
Pte.	Frank	Shortreed	8^th Battalion	Returned Veteran	Russian Order of the Cross of St. George.

Pte. Frank Shortreed, of the 8^th Battalion, a returned veteran, had the special distinction of being awarded the Russian Order of the Cross of St. George, conferred on him by the Russian government for bravery during operations between Vimy Ridge and Paris, when British and Russians fought side by side. Pte. Shortreed, who is now in hospital, had no less than four bullets pass through the lower part of his body.

Many cheers were given for the recipients of the decorations, and the proceedings concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.