Remembering Passchendaele, 1917
One hundred years ago, in October and November 1917, the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was engaged in a major battle in what was later known as World War I (1914 – 1918). There were many battles and campaigns in World War I, including Passchendaele — also known as the Third Battle of Ypres.
A description of the Battle of Passchendaele follows: [Source: Passchendaele (October 26 — November 10, 1917)”. Canada’s Great War Album (CanadasHistory.ca). By Joel Ralph]
Hard lessons are learned amid the mud and blood in Belgium.
The Canadians didn’t want to go to Passchendaele. They had been to Belgium’s Ypres Salient before and they knew the near impossible task that lay ahead.
The British under General Sir Douglas Haig had been slogging through an offensive in the area since the summer of 1917. In June, they had detonated nearly one million tonnes of explosives buried under German lines at Messines Ridge.
On July 31, they officially launched the Third Battle of Ypres. Heavy German counterattacks, as usual, limited the success of British attacks during the month of August.
Throughout September and October, the British, Australians, and New Zealanders used a series of short, rapid attacks to make some gains, but their objective of capturing Passchendaele ridge — the only high ground in the region — remained elusive. Months of battle and the onset of rain in October transformed most of the battlefield into a quagmire of mud and water that devoured men and material. Nearly every identifiable landmark that could help direct the troops had been ground into the mud.
The Canadians were tasked with capturing what remained of the town of Passchendaele. General Arthur Currie, the Canadian commander, devised a series of four set-piece attacks over a two-week period that would allow them to capture the ridge.
The Canadians advanced through the wasteland toward Passchendaele, slowly clearing each German pillbox and machine gun strongpoint.
By capturing Passchendaele, they managed to bring an end to one of the most controversial battles of the war. British commander Haig claimed victory, but the human cost was unimaginably high. Over the course of four months of fighting, the Germans suffered more than 220,000 casualties, while British and Commonwealth soldiers endured more than 260,000 dead and wounded, including 17,000 Canadians.
As if to underline the futility of fighting, nearly all of the territory the Canadians captured in 1917 was recaptured by the Germans during their spring advance of 1918.
War was declared in 1914 and Canada sent its young men and women to Europe, to serve in the forces, assist the troops, and comfort the wounded.
Kelowna sent hundreds of young people to the front. The names of more than 130 men who paid the supreme sacrifice during World War I are inscribed on the cenotaph in Kelowna City Park.
These men from Kelowna and surrounding districts — Glenmore, Rutland, Ellison, present-day Lake Country, Okanagan Mission, South and East Kelowna, Westbank, and small communities scattered along the west side of Okanagan Lake — have their names inscribed in perpetual tribute to the high price paid for our freedom.
At least four local men were killed at Passchendaele and were buried or commemorated at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Their names are on the Kelowna Cenotaph.
Private William Lupton (Service #2142334) was born at Birkenhead, Cheshire, England, on July 7, 1877, son of Henry and Emma Elizabeth (nee Coates) Lupton. Prior to coming to Kelowna about 1913, he lived at Peachland. In Kelowna, he and his wife Mary Helen Baird (nee Aitkens) Lupton and their three children lived on Abbott Street. When Lupton “signed up” in 1917, his occupation was recorded as “mechanic”. Private Lupton was killed on October 26, 1917, age 39 years. He had been in Europe for a few months and had only recently reached the trenches.
Private Russell Gordon Sutherland (Service #687630) was also killed on October 26, 1917. He was born at Kelowna on July 21, 1897, the only son of Daniel Wilbur “DW” and Mabel May (nee Coghlan) Sutherland. DW Sutherland was a pioneer Kelowna school teacher and later served as Mayor. After graduating from Kelowna High School, Russell Sutherland joined the 172nd Battalion. He was sent to the Front where, on April 1, 1917, he was wounded by shrapnel. Russell Sutherland returned to active service in September 1917, and was killed the next month. He was 20 years old.
Private Joseph Ernest Hereron (Service #687529) was born at Ellison on August 16, 1899, son of pioneers Thomas and Mary Ellen (nee McKenna) Hereron. He grew up in Ellison, enlisted in December 1915, and later transferred to a Highland Regiment. He arrived in Europe in April 1917 and was killed on October 30, 1917, age 18 years. He was survived by his widowed mother, four sisters and two brothers. His eldest brother, John James Hereron, arrived in France with the Forestry Corps, shortly before Private Hereron’s death.
Private Herbert William (Billy) Duggan (Service #524524) was born at Radnorshire, Wales, on May 9, 1896, son of William Charles and Rose (nee Lawley) Duggan. In 1905, he came to Canada with his father. They settled in Kelowna in 1908, where Billy Duggan worked in JB Knowles’ jewellery store. In 1915, Billy Duggan joined the BC Horse but later transferred to the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC). In March 1916, he sailed for Europe and proceeded to the Front. On November 3, 1917, while aiding the wounded, Billy Duggan was killed. He was 21 years old and was survived by his father.
On page one of the Thursday, Nov. 22, 1917 edition of “The Kelowna Courier and Okanagan Orchardist” it was reported that, “. . . three [local men] were killed in action around the end of October, presumably in the terrible fighting which has been taking place for the possession of Passchendaele Ridge. The ill-fated news spread quickly around the city and district and cast a gloom which was felt by all, while at the same time a feeling of the greatest sympathy was prevalent for the suffering relatives of those brave men [William Lupton, Russell Sutherland, and Joseph Hereron] who seemed so suddenly to have been taken away.” Billy Duggan’s death was reported in another edition of Kelowna’s weekly newspaper.
On Remembrance Day, Canadians honour those brave men and women who gave selflessly of their lives, so that we might live in peace. May they forever Rest in Peace.
Robert Michael Hayes is a life-long resident of Kelowna and a descendant of the pioneer Clement and Whelan families. He is a Life Member of the Okanagan Historical Society and a retired elementary school teacher. This article is part of a series, submitted by the KelownaBranch, Okanagan Historical Society. Additional information would be welcome at P.O. Box 22105, Capri PO, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9N9.