14

Two letters that Dan MacGregor wrote to his sister, Mary, still exist. They are owned by
Mary's daughter, Myrtle MacDougall. Following is the first letter, written from Edinburgh, Scotland, 1916:

Dear Mary -
I imagine it will be quite a surprise to hear from me out here in Scotland. But first I had
better tell of our trip across the ocean.
I arrived in Halifax about 8 P.M. that Saturday, waited till Tuesday night for our Batallion, spending most of the time with John Y. MacKinnon & his young bride, who used me generously. Went on board the ship Tuesday night - about 12 but did not sail till about 5
o clock Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 31st), we were packed in pretty tight, as we had about 6,000 troops on the "Empress of Britain" which, even if it was a large boat, it was about 2,000 too many.
When they had been sailing about 4 hours it was some place. It was some desperate. I
was so sick I wished I would die, in fact I ate about three meals all the way across, and we
did not land untill Nov. 11th So we were on the water for ten days, my food for that time was
oranges and pickles.
Landed in Liverpool about noon Nov. 11th, got on the train and went to East Sandling, a
camp about 60 miles from London, and about 3 miles from Shorncliffe. Landed about 2
o'clock Sunday morning (12th Nov,) we were given huts and slept for a couple of hours, and
believe me they had some time to wake us we were so tired, but there was no mercy we had to
be on prade at 7 a.m. we were examined by two Drs. most of us passed, we were then transferred from 195th to the 32nd Reserve Battalion, Our officers were all taken from us,
one of them, Major Weir, cried when he heard he could not go with us and asked to be
reverted to the ranks in order to go with us, but they would not do it.
We were on parade for two days, and got along fine, Then we were given a 6 day pass
and our fare to any place in the Kingdom so thats how I happened to be in Edinburgh and it
certainly is some town, went all through Edinburgh Castle today, which was a rare treat,
was in the room where Henry I was born, Queen Margaret's Chapel, which is 800 years old,
saw the carriage on which the remains of Queen Victoria was carried from Osborne to
Cowes (Isle of Wight) and the arms of the Knights of old, also where they used to keep their prisoners, I cant tell you all I saw, it certainly was grand. Our leave will be up on Nov. 21st, and then for hard, we will be in the trenches for Xmas, Saw in the paper where Mervyn Robertson was wounded in the trenches last week, Too bad. Kind regards to all, Write soon.

15

The second letter of Dan's was written from France, Dec, 7, 1916.

Dear Mary -
Just a few lines to let you know Im living and enjoying life, arrived in France about 2
days ago, during most of that time we have been marching across country, and when you are loaded down with a heavy pack, ammunition, rifle, masks, etc. and tramping through muddy
roads, bully beef and hard-tack to eat, So you see it is no snap. However thats we started out
to do, and we are game to carry it through.
Norman was left at the base in France, D.D. Robertson is with me, so with two of us it is
not so bad.
We are resting here for a short time before going into the trenches, This is a small
French Hamlet where we can get lots of wine and some of the boys have a great time you
hear nothing but French all the time, I want to you a post card and a souvenir of France but
they wont allow such things to be sent to U.S.A. from here, well my news are limited so must
ring off with love and best wishes for Merry Xmas & Happy New Year to all, Be sure and
write soon, Try and send me some reading material anything in the reading or eating line
will be much appreciated.
Your loving brother
Pte Dan E. McGregor (90753) 102nd Batt (Can)
B.E.F.
Army Post Office
London, Eng.
The conditions in the trenches of World War One have been said to be indescribable to
anyone who wasn't there. It was the primary method used by both sides to fight the war.
Dan MacGregor writes, "and then for the hard, we will be in the trenches by Xmas" On Jan
9, 1917, just over a month from when he wrote his last letter to Mary, he was killed.
Dan is buried in the Zouave Valley Cemetery, France, which lies on the western side of
Vimy Ridge.

16

John Grant MacKay
1910
unknown

17

John Grant MacKay survived the war but contracted tubercolosis while overseas. He
died in Montreal on his way home. His remains were taken home to Scotsville, and he is
buried with other members of his family in the East Lake Ainslie Cemetery.
Both Morris MacLean and Malcolm MacKay fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The
battle was launched at 5:30 A.M. on Apr. 9, 1917. It was a well-planned attempt by the
Canadians to capture the ridge from the Germans who had held it for two years. 983 artillery pieces and 150 machine guns started to fire in unison at the German army. The overhead sound was said to be deafening. The Canadian Army was successful in capturing Vimy Ridge, and it is remembered as being one of Canada's greatest moments in warfare. But it
came at great cost. 10,000 Canadian soldiers were killed or wounded. Among those were
Morris MacLean and Malcolm MacKay.
Malcolm MacKay died Apr. 11, 1917. Charles Neil MacLean, who remembered
Malcolm visiting his boyhood school while home on embarkation leave, also remembers that
later on a lady came to the school to tell about Malcolm. "She came and told the news that he
was killed. The rest of the family went outside bawling and crying. It was a sad day for
them," Charles Neil says.
Malcolm is buried in the Villers Station Cemetery, near the village of Villers-au-Bois,
France.

18

Colin MacRae died a year earlier on Apr. 14, 1916, in Belgium. His name is on the
Menin Gate (Ypres) Memorial, Belgium. The memorial bears the names of 55,000 men who
were lost without trace during the defence of the Ypres Salient.
But Colin's military medals were managed to be saved, and later sent home to his family.
Plus, a small Bible, its pages stained with his blood, that he carried in his breast pocket.
Following is Colin MacRae's obituary.

A Brave Nova Scotian
Private C. J. MacRae killed while fighting for the cause.
Ottawa May 18 - Private Colin J. MacRae, of Claver House West Lake Ainsile Inv. Co. is
another brave Nova Scotian boy who has been killed in action at the front. He was a sturdy
young, Canadian soldier, very popular in his battalion and his death is keenly regretted by
his "pals" and the officers. Private MacRae knew no fear and was always anxious to
attempt the most difficult and dangerous tasks at the front. His coolness in action and good
spirits made him a general favourite with his comrades-in-arms. He had many friends in
Inverness Co. who will long remember the brave lad who died for his country, nobly doing
his bit for the great cause."