Remember This? Private Durham and the second Battle of Ypres

This week's Remember This? column tells us about the Sault Ste. Marie connection to the second Battle of Ypres, which took place 100 years ago during the First World War.

From the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library:

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The 51st Soo Rifles was formed on October 25, 1913 to guard the Sault Ste. Marie Canal and the local wireless installation and station. 

On August 20, 1914 the first overseas contingent of 76 men left Sault Ste. Marie by train to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force being gathered at Valcartier, Quebec. 

One of the men marching on Queen Street that day was Private Edwin Durham. 

He travelled overseas in 1914 where he would take part in the Second Battle of Ypres on April 22, 1915. 

It was during this battle that the Canadians had their first experience with the chlorine gas that was used by the Germans. 

As protection against the poison gas, containers of water had been dispersed throughout the trenches and soldiers wrapped soaked handkerchiefs and towels around their faces.

Blinded and gasping for breath, the Canadians had little time to recover as the German infantry followed closely behind. 

Durham was wounded twice while making a break from his trench in the face of the advancing German infantry.

Lying on the ground, Durham was found by a German officer who covered him with blankets and folded a blanket under his head.

Later, he was carried to a German dressing station and then to a hospital.

Once his wounds were mended, Durham was sent to a prisoner of war camp at Stendal, Germany (pictured above).

Find out more of what the Public Library has to offer at www.ssmpl.ca and look for more Remember This? columns here.