Special tribute paid to young soldier killed 101 years ago
Delegation visits military cemetery to remember Lt. Henry Vallance
YPRES, BELGIUM — On June 13, 1916, a 25-yearold infantry lieutenant from Hamilton died amid a horrible artillery barrage in one of many catastrophic battles outside the Belgian city of Ypres.
Lieutenant Henry Walter Vallance became another name etched on a white stone in a big Commonwealth cemetery, one of more than 1,800 young men from Hamilton — and 60,000 Canadians — to be killed in the mud and blood of the First World War.
Like so many others of numerous nationalities, he died too young and a long way from home.
But Wednesday, a delegation of more than 50 people from his hometown — led by the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry — arrived at his graveside at Poelcapelle Cemetery for a special tribute. It was a chance to salute someone from the Rileys’ history and reflect about the outrageous carnage of a war that was supposed to end all wars.
RHLI regimental bugler Cpl. Brian Vautour played the “Last Post” and “The Rouse.” He performed on a silver bugle — previously dedicated to Vallance — that was brought from a RHLI special collection at the John Weir Foote Armoury on James
Street North.
The Rileys have a tradition in which members of the regiment, or regiments perpetuated by the Rileys, can be eulogized through inscribed bugles made of silver.
The Regimental Memorial Silver Bugles, of which there are 27 with the RHLI, are created “in memory of former commanding officers and also in memory of officers of distinguished service, of those who died in the Great War, and of those of any rank who had made contributions toward the cause of country.”
In the case of Vallance, the bugle was purchased by a brother, Victor Vallance, who was also a lieutenant with the 13th Royal Regiment, which is related to the Rileys.
Not much is known about Henry Vallance other than the names of his immediate family, the fact that he had a science degree from McGill University and was a member of St. Paul’s Church in Hamilton.
The inscription on the bugle says: “Presented to the officers of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry by E. Victor Vallance Esq., Lieutenant 13th Royal Regiment, 1908-1912, in memory of his brother Lieutenant Henry Walter Vallance, 13th Royal Regiment and 36th Battalion C.E.F. (Canadian Expeditionary Force) killed in action at Hill 62, 13 June, 1916.”
After Wednesday’s ceremony, Vautour, who is also a trumpet player in the Rileys’ military band, explained
the tradition of the “Last Post” being played for fallen soldiers.
He said it was one of a number of bugle calls, or posts, used to communicate on a battlefield.
The “Last Post” was originally used to signify the end of duties for the day for soldiers.
From there, the idea evolved for it to be played at military funerals,
signifying the final end of duties for a soldier who had died.
Wednesday’s ceremony also featured a moment of silence and a dedication from RHLI Commanding Officer J.P. Hoekstra.
The Rileys are visiting battlefields and cemeteries in France and Belgium, eventually attending 75th anniversary ceremonies Saturday for the ill-fated raid on Dieppe on Aug. 19, 1942.
Nearly 200 Rileys died, along with 700 other Canadians, in an illconceived plan to attack the heavily fortified city on the German-controlled French coast.
Wednesday, the touring group travelled to battlefronts along the Ypres Salient, a section of ridges and fortifications near the Belgian city. From 1915-1917, the Wentworth Regiment — which is perpetuated by the Rileys — fought at the 2nd Battle of Ypres, Festubert, Mount Sorrel (Hill 62-Sanctuary Wood) and the infamous Passchendaele, which was recently the focus of 100th anniversary commemorations.
Also visited was Essex Farm Cemetery, where John McCrae wrote the famous poem “In Flanders Fields.” Near the cemetery, Canadian troops experienced one of the first ever uses of chlorine gas in warfare.
From there, the Canadian infantry began to build its reputation as Shock Troops, soldiers organized for mobility to penetrate through enemy defences and attack in vulnerable rear areas.
Also memorable Wednesday was a stopover at Tyne Cot Cemetery that has graves for more than 12,000 soldiers from Ypres battles, with more than 8,000 of them being for unknown soldiers.