MILITARY HISTORY
Private Elmer Whitfield Northey – 3057027 – Active Service (World War I)
On October 27th, 1917 under the provisions of the Military Service Act of 1917, Elmer Whitfield Northey was drafted (called-up), to the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) at No. 3 District Depot at Kingston, Ontario for the duration of the War. He indicated that he was born in Young’s Point on August 9th, 1892. He was 25 years, 2 months, and 18 days old, and single. There is no reference to where, or to what level, he was educated. He indicated that he had no previous Military experience. As far as his Trade or Calling, he lists ”Farmer”. Elmer Northey was 5′ 7 and 1/2” tall, and had a 35” chest (expanded). He had a dark complexion, brown-grey eyes, and brown hair. His medical examination took place October 27th, 1917 at Peterborough, Ontario. He had no medical issues or physical limitations, and as such he was deemed fit (Category A11), for Overseas duty with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. His next-of-kin was listed as his father, Mr. William G. Northey of RR1, Lakefield, Ontario. Elmer Whitfield Northey signed the Declaration of Recruit in Kingston, Ontario on March 1st, 1918. He was taken-on-strength, as a Private with the 1st Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment, CEF, and was assigned Regimental Service Number 3057027.
When Pte. Northey arrived in England on April 8th, 1918 aboard the SS Telia (SS Tela was found); he was part of the 4th Draft of the 1st Battalion of the Eastern Ontario Regiment.
On April 28th, he was taken-on-strength with the 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion, at Seaford.
May 5th, 1918 he was admitted to the 14th Canadian General Hospital, at Eastbourne with ”mumps”. He was discharged on May 30th. On the same day, he was struck-off-strength from the 6th Cdn. Res. Bn. on being ”posted” to the Eastern Ontario Regiment Depot (EORD), and was placed ”on command to the 3rd CCD” (Canadian Convalescent Depot).
July 18th, 1918 on reporting from the 3rd CCD, Pte. Northey was posted back to the 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
October 10th, he was drafted to the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, on embarkation to France.
October 11th, upon arrival in France, at Le Havre, he was taken-on-strength with the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion. On the same day, he left to join the Unit in the field, arriving on October 12th.
There are no entries in the Military File from October 12th, 1918 to November 8th, 1918 the date Pte. Northey was reported wounded-in-action.
To follow his movements during this period, the War Diary of the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion was used.
October 1918: when Pte. Northey joined the 38th Battalion, they were involved in preparations to for a move to the front lines. On the 15th, the Battalion moved off, in full marching order at 11:00 am, arriving at Agnez-les-Duissans, at 12 noon; where they were fed dinner at the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp. They entrained at 1:45 pm, and arrived at Marquoin at 9:00 pm, and marched to billets at Sauchy L’estre, in Divisional Reserve, where it remained to the 17th. On the 18th, the Battalion marched off at 10:00 am, and arrived at Aubenchel-au-Bec, at 2:30 pm. The morning of the 19th, was spent preparing for another move. At 3:00 pm, the Battalion marched off to Emerchicourt arriving at 6:00 pm. At 10:30 am, on the 20th, it moved off again, arriving at Mastaing at 12:30 pm. The 21st was spent resting. On the 22nd, the Battalion marched to a position at Rouvignies, where it relieved the 44th Canadian Infantry Battalion, in support of the 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion, which was in the front line trenches. Everything was reported quiet, through to the 26th. On the 26th, preparations were underway to relieve the 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion on the front line. Relief was completed on the 27th. Nothing significant was reported through to the 30th.
November 1918: the Battalion was in position on the west bank of the Canal Escaut. At 11:45 am, the Battalion crossed the Canal, in preparation for an attack on the City of Valenciennes. Significant enemy resistance was experienced during the crossing. By early afternoon,th Battalion was in position. Patrols were sent into the City, during the night of the 1st/2nd. It was reported, that the patrols were met with considerable enemy resistance (machine guns, and trench mortars), resulting in a number of casualties. On the 2nd, the Battalion moved forward to the eastern outskirts of the City, where it dug in. At 6:00 pm, orders were received, to relieve the 102nd Canadian Infantry Battalion in front of St. Saulve, France. It was reported, that some difficulty was encountered locating the Battalion, but eventually the relief was completed. ”C and D” Companies were in the front line, ”B” Company was in support, and ”A” Company was in reserve. More casualties were incurred. The morning of the 3rd, was spent in preparation for an attack at 2:30 pm, which took place as scheduled. Only occasional resistance was encountered in the advance. By dusk, the Battalion was in a position on the Mohs Road. Things were reported quiet on the 4th. The evening of the 4th/5th, the Battalion was relieved by the 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion, and moved back into support. On the 5th, two Companies of the Battalion moved forward in support of the 85th Battalion. On the 6th, the Battalion marched to billets at Onnaing. In the evening, it was relieved by the 22nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, and the 38th Battalion marched to billets at Anzin. The 7th and 8th were spent cleaning up.
November 8th, 1918 the Military File indicates that Pte. Northey was reported wounded.
The War Diary provides no indication with regards to any exchanges that took place between the Germans and the Battalion, on November 8th. The Military File provides no details of the circumstances of Pte. Northey’s wounding.
November 12th, he was admitted to the 2nd West General Hospital, in Manchester with what was described as a gunshot (shrapnel) wound to the right buttocks.
He was transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital on January 23rd, 1919. it is reported ”the small flesh wound has healed, and there is no disability”. He was discharged on February 19th, 1919 to a Reserve Unit, as Category ”A”. He proceeded to the 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion on March 3rd, 1919.
On April 2nd, 1919 he was struck-off-strength from the 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion, on transfer to MD 3, Kinmel Park pending embarkation for Canada.
Pte. Elmer Northey embarked from Liverpool, for Canada, on April 16th, aboard the SS Belgic, arriving at Halifax on April 22nd.
He was taken-on-strength with No. 3 District Depot, Kingston, Ontario.
He was discharged from the Canadian Expeditionary Force on April 25, 1919.
The Military File indicates that Private Elmer Whitfield Northey was eligible to receive the Canadian Expeditionary Force Class A War Service Badge. The File makes no mention of what Medals that he was awarded, if any. Based on established Military criteria, he may have been eligible to receive the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.
According to the Military File, Private Elmer Whitfield Northey served a total of 1 year, and 24 days with the Canadian Expeditionary Force: approximately 1 month, and 16 days in Canada; 5 months in the U.K., and 27 days in France.
An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s by Barbara Ameil, September 1996:
”The Military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honourable”.
PERSONAL HISTORY
ELMER WHITFIELD NORTHEY
Elmer Whitfield Northey was born in Smith Township on August 9, 1892, the son of William John Northey and Emma “Jane” Sage. He received his education in the local schools and worked on the family farm. In March 1918 he went to Kingston and enlisted to serve his King and Country.
After the war Elmer returned home and worked on the family farm. On March 16, 1921 Elmer married Theresa Victoria Bulmer, daughter of Edwin Bulmer and Ada Webber. They settled on a farm on Concession 7 of Smith Township and raised a family of eight children – Velma Ada Victoria, Hilda Rosabelle, Verna, Melville Elbert, Arnold Eugene, Ruth, Evelyn and Marie Northey.
Theresa passed away on July 24, 1959 and Elmer died on January 1, 1983; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
Elmer Whitfield Northey was a member of the Lakefield Methodist Church and is included on a Memorial Plaque which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I. This plaque hangs in the Sanctuary of the Lakefield United Church on Regent Street.
PERSONAL HISTORY OF ELMER WHITFIELD NORTHEY
Elmer Northey’s paternal grandparents were James R. Northey born in England in 1841 and Mary Ann Reid born in 1849. They married in Smith Township on October 17, 1867 and had fourteen children – William John, Ann Matilda, James Richard, Harriet, Margaret, Victoria, Lillie Maria, Ellen Stuart, Elizabeth, Robert Sheffield, Isabella, Pearl Bertha, Estella Violet and Myrtle Hazel Northey. Mary Ann passed away on May 18, 1906. James married Mary Matilda Dewart on February 16, 1910. James died on June 18, 1917 and is buried in Lakefield Cemetery with his first wife Mary Ann Reid.
Elmer Northey’s maternal grandparents were Henry Sage born Smith Township on December 14, 1839 and Effie Freeburn born in Smith Township in 1843. They married in Peterborough on October 30, 1862 and farmed in Smith Township. They had a family of ten children – Elizabeth Ann, Sarah Marie, Emma Jane, George Henry, Redina Victoria, Margaret Effie, Isaac, Edith Louisa, Albert and Walter Sage. Effie passed away on September 10, 1891 and Henry died on July 5, 1916; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
Elmer Northey’s parents were William John Northey born in Smith Township on May 16, 1869 and Emma Jane Sage born in Smith Township on June 5, 1867. They married at the home of the bride’s parents on September 2, 1891. William farmed and they had a family of nine children – Elmer Whitfield, Lila Beatrice, Stanley, Mabel Zephenia, William Graydon, Cecil Sherman, Verda Evelyn, Ella Hazel and Kenneth Norman Northey. William John died January 8, 1938 and Emma Jane died February 7, 1944; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
