THE 1938 CANADIAN CORPS REUNION

The morning of Saturday, July 30 1938 dawned hot and sunny in the city of Toronto. It was the start of the Civic Holiday long weekend and it looked like it would be a swell one. The day was an extra-special one in the Moorecroft household. Fred Moorecroft donned his pin, red beret and armband and was ready to go. He was one of over 100,000 veterans of the Great War who gathered to celebrate and reminisce at the Canadian Corps Reunion.

 Fred had had a terrible war experience. Embracing his Ulster Scot background, he enlisted in the 48th Highlanders in August of 1915. He sailed for Europe in early 1916 with the 92nd battalion and was attached to the 15th battalion in France. Fred returned home early in 1918 a broken man having lost a leg and several fingers in an attack

92nd battalion scouts, Fred is 4th from the left

In the 20 years following Fred managed to build a life for himself, marrying Adeline Nicholls in 1921 and finding employment as a clerk and bookkeeper. He and Addie lived with their son Fred Jr. at 56 Donlands Avenue in the east end of Toronto. Life seemed to be good, which may be why Fred decided to attend the 1938 reunion.

The first Canadian Corps Reunion was held in Toronto from August 4 to 6 1934 to commemorate the start of the Great War. The reunion, tied in with the 100th anniversary of the City of Toronto, was a huge success. About 100,000 veterans attended and spent $750,000 during the event. A bigger party was planned for ’38. The end of the war was perhaps a more fitting cause for celebration. However, there was another reason—storm clouds were brewing and democracy and freedom were being threatened. There was a good chance that Canadians would be called upon again and what better way to inspire patriotic feelings than to be reminded of the sacrifices made by the older generation 20 years earlier? 

The reunion was announced on Remembrance Day 1937 at the Corps’ annual dinner and as 1938 began invitations were sent out. A full program was planned with events taking place at Exhibition place, Riverdale Park and other locations.

 

The first vet to register in April 1938 was Toronto Mayor Ralph C. Day formerly of the 116th battalion. He was followed by many other politicians, as well as Victoria Cross recipient Air Marshall William “Billy” Bishop. Acceptances came from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and West Africa. Special trains were booked to bring groups from Montreal, Buffalo and Chicago. Groups arranged to travel from Detroit, California and Newfoundland. 

A special group called themselves the “League of Forgotten Men”, men who had been reported dead or missing and believed dead.  

Times were still tough so assistance was offered to unemployed vets. Brantford council allowed unemployed vets to perform 3 days of special relief work to earn $13 towards their trip. A special train was booked to bring several hundred attendees from Hamilton, for no charge. Emergency billeting was provided in the Livestock building.

First up was a popular event brought back from the 1934 reunion—the French Village located in the CNE Coliseum. It opened to the public on July 25, with 5,000 visitors pouring in. From the evening of Friday, July 29 it was reserved for veterans. Visitors could stroll through streets past homes, barns, shops and estaminets (small cafés offering food and drink). Beer and wine flowed and visitors enjoyed sing-a-longs to favourites like “Mademoiselle from Armentières” and “Pack Up Your Troubles”. Dancing and revelry went on well into the night. It was a great success. The first night one beer ticket wicket ran out of tickets; another ran out of change. According to the Globe and Mail, “It was a grand party. Today motorists on their way to work in the city saw many of last night’s celebrants blissfully sleeping on the grass near the lakefront”.

 

Saturday, July 30 featured the Canadian Corps March Past following Prime Minister Mackenzie King’s opening addresses to the veterans—“Liberty and democracy cry out anew for preservation, not only in foreign countries, but in many parts of Canada”. The parade was led by the brass and pipe band of the 48th Highlanders. 

Each unit was represented by a group of four veterans with a colour bearer carrying the unit flag. Thousands lined the streets despite the heat. Some vets and spectators collapsed and were treated by St John Ambulance. The Globe’s 1 Aug headline: “Veterans March Past Takes Two Full Hours Beneath Broiling Sun” In all 70,000 vets, and 40 bands marched.  

Saturday night unit dinners were held. The Canadian Corps reunion dinner took place at the Royal York with 22 Victoria Cross recipients the guests of honour. A representative from every unit attended and the dinner address was broadcast by remote radio hookup to the other dinners held at the Royal York, King Edward Hotel, Victoria Hotel, CNE Grandstand, the horticultural building at CNE and many other locations.

The main event on Sunday, July 31st was the Drumhead Service at Riverdale Park which followed services at Prospect Cemetery and Varsity Stadium. Colonel McLaughlin of GM fame funded an actual size reproduction of the Vimy monument based on the original plans of designer Walter Alward. As most vets had not been able to travel to France to see the original, it was felt that the emotional pull of the reproduction would be great.

One of the big events on Monday, August 1st was the unveiling of unit plaques at Coronation Park. The park had been opened in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Trees were planted to represent the countries of the empire and each CEF unit. Granite plaques were now installed noting the name of the tree and the unit. Representatives from each unit simultaneously pulled ribbons to remove little Union Jacks that covered each plaque. Fundraising coast to coast covered the installation and any extra money was to go towards installing a bench or statue holding a continuously burning flame but that doesn’t appear to have ever happened. Some of the trees have been replaced over the years but it appears that the 15th battalion’s tree is the original. Most people jogging and biking through this lovely park probably know nothing of its past.

By the morning of Tuesday, August 2nd the reunion was officially over. Streets were cleared of paper, broken bottles and bonfire ashes. According to Globe, “All the traffic signs which happy veterans had placed in queer places had been returned to their proper posts when the cleaners had finished their job, and waste paper cans once more reposed on street corners”. The reunion had been a huge success. Reportedly over $1.5 million was spent on food and lodging over the weekend. Several downtown hotels had to close before 11 pm Saturday when they ran out of booze. There were some downsides to the event— hospitals were overwhelmed and police were run ragged. Over 160 injuries, 39 auto collisions and 3 hold ups were reported.

 

It’s difficult to know how many events Fred attended. On July 30th the Globe reported that upon request the Christie Street Hospital was willing to provide transport to all former patients who couldn’t otherwise get to the festivities. Fred may have accepted this offer or perhaps Addie drove him. Fred had been fitted with a prosthetic leg but he appeared to prefer his crutches. Either way it may have been difficult for him to attend some events during the weekend and he certainly would have found it difficult to march with his colleagues. Perhaps he at least attended the reunion dinner on Saturday night, though I haven’t been able to determine where the 15th held their dinner. Either way he kept his reunion gear so it seemed that the reunion meant something to him. 

Before the reunion it was reported that Alderman GS Layton from Montreal would be attending the reunion and was to bring a bid for the next reunion in 1942. Unfortunately circumstances had changed and the next reunion was not to be.

A Soldier of the First World War

Frederick Alexander Moorecroft was born on the 10th of August 1893 in Buttonville, Markham Township. He was the fifth child and third son born to Arthur Davis Moorecroft and Agnes Jane White. Shortly after his birth the family moved into the east end of Toronto settling at 60 Galt Avenue near Jones and Gerrard. The family were to remain at this address for most of the next century. Here is what 60 Galt Avenue looks like today.

From the writer's personal collection

In 1911 the family was listed in the census. Fred was 17 years old and working as an electrician:

1911 Census of Canada, Library and Archives Canada

Everything would change with the start of the First World War. Within 8 months the four eldest Moorecroft boys would enlist in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Fred was the first to enlist, on August 13th 1915. His brothers would quickly follow. 

On his attestation papers Fred listed his trade or calling as Engineer. He had been employed at the Lancashire Dynamo & Motor Company at the time of his enlistment.

Canadian Machinery, Vol. VIII, Feb 1912, vintagemachinery.org

It was a source of pride to have enlisted men in your family or having attended your schools:

Toronto Star April 12th 1917

Toronto Star May 18th 1917

From Fred's military file I was able to track his experiences. He was assigned to the 92nd Overseas Battalion and sailed for Europe on May 20th 2016 on the Empress of Britain. In July 1916 he was transferred to the 15th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He was part of the legendary 48th Highlanders. On July 31st 1916 he sailed for France on active duty. Unfortunately he was wounded twice in action. This card from his file tells the story:

Library and Archives Canada, Soldiers of the First World War

On 27 Sept 1916 he was admitted to hospital with a shrapnel wound to the right elbow. He was treated and returned to his unit on 24 Oct 1916 despite the fact that he was left with weakness and limitation of movement in the right arm.

The following year Fred was seriously injured. On February 26th 1917 at Vimy Ridge he was hit by shrapnel. This caused a severe compound fracture to his right knee and calf, as well as his right hand. He also sustained a gunshot wound to his left knee and  flesh wounds of his right arm. In the field his right leg was amputated above the knee.

The description of the original treatment was horrific – no attempt was made to suture the amputation and the femur was exposed. By the time Fred was transferred to England all his wounds had become septic. His leg had to be re-amputated. The injury to his hand was also severe.  Three fingers were lost and his index finger was deformed with limited mobility.

News of the injury was reached Canada:

Toronto Star, March 3rd 1917

Fred spent most of 1917 in hospital. He underwent five surgeries and experienced excruciating pain from the amputation. On December 29th 1917 he was finally well enough to head for home. He sailed on the JS Araguaya and landed in Halifax on January 10th 1918. His return was noted in the local news:

Toronto Star January 22nd 1918

1918 was filled with more treatment for his injuries. Fred was treated as an outpatient at Davisville Medical Hospital which was located at the corner of Davisville and Yonge Streets. This painting by Francis Stanley Turner captured the situation well. Fred could have been the soldier in the wheelchair.

From the collection of the Canadian War Museum

Fred complained of nervousness and insomnia since returning to Canada. He had been supplied with a government prosthetic leg with which he was not satisfied. Though he was treated as an outpatient he still was required to check in with the authorities. Between June and November 1918 he had several periods where he was noted as AWL (away without leave) and having deserted. When he was finally discharged as medically unfit on December 9th 1918 he was docked 59 days pay for being AWL. I like to think he had met his wife to be and just wanted to be left alone but we will never know why he didn't check in when required. Despite his unauthorized absences his conduct and character at the time of discharge were noted as good. 

Fred married Adeline Nichols on January 4th 1921. They had one son, Frederick Albert Moorecroft. Fred Sr. did not return to his former employment as an engineer. Voter lists note he was employed as a bookkeeper. No doubt he continued to experience problems from his war injuries - in 1935 he is listed as a resident at the Christie Street Military Hospital. He died on March 23rd 1956 and is buried in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.

From the writer's collection

Frederick Alexander Moorecroft was my spouse's grandfather. I wish I could have met him.