Howard Salisbury

Lance Corporal Howard Salisbury was a member of the 13th Platoon of D Company.  He was born 17 Aug. 1899, but on his attestation form he claimed he was born in 1896. 

He attested into the Battalion on 22 Dec. 1914, at the age of 15.  He arrived in England 15 May 1915 aboard the RMS Metagama, and proceeded to France 15 Sept. 1915. He fought with the Battalion at Ypres, the Somme, and Vimy Ridge. 

In replying to a letter from his sister in December of 1915, he responds to her questions about the trenches.  It appears that she viewed some demonstration trenches at the Barriefield Camp in Kingston.   She must have asked what the lumber was for and he replied:  

“Have I done any shooting yet?  What do you suppose we are out here for? 

Why the lumber is for to build dugouts, fix up the trenches also for the sappers so that they can tunnel through to the enemy’s line.  The other night we had to carry twenty foot beams up to the front line from the reserve which is about ¾ mile walk and I can say it certainly was some job.  We couldn’t go by the communication trenches as the beams wouldn’t take the corners so we went by the overland route.  First the hail started and it would cut your face then you would fall in about every shell hole you could find, fall and about break your shoulder when you popped down every time a flare light went up.  When you came to a old trench you would put your plank down, walk across and then pick your plank up again and all the time the bullets were whistling unpleasantly close to our ears.  We were certainly some sorry sights when we got back to our dugouts.  But still I like this life.  In fact, I’m thriving on it as I have gained a good many pounds since I left Canada.” 

Later in the letter he goes on to say: 

“Our heavy artillery is putting some coal boxes in the German’s front line and we feel them away in our reserves and I can’t concentrate my mind on this letter and you can tell how many times a shell landed in the G Front lines by as many mistakes as are in this letter.” 

He was returned to England in May 1917 and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford Sussex when it was discovered he was underage. In July 1917 he was recommended for a commission by Brig-GEN W. S. Hughes  Note that he was only 17 years old at the time.  The recommendation reads: 

“Headquarters, Canadians
Crowborough, Sussex,
3^rd July, 1917 

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. 

            I have great pleasure in recommending Cpl H Salisbury (No. 59861) for a Commission in His Majesty’s Forces. 

            Cpl Salisbury served with me for twenty one months.  I found him to be a good soldier, trustworthy and capable.” 

Signed by WS Hughes

Brigadier General” 

In February 1918 he went on leave to London and instead of returning to Seaford he went absent without leave (AWOL), and went to his old 21^st Battalion in France.  On March 4^th, the Germans launched a raid on the 21^st Battalion lines, and a fierce battle ensued.  Cpl Salisbury was in the thick of it, and was recommended for a DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) for his actions.   

When it was discovered that he was absent from the 6^th Reserve Battalion, he was returned to England, and put on trial.  His punishment was the forfeiture of 30 days pay.  The Officer Commanding “D” Company of the 21^st,  (Captain A.W. Black) submitted a letter on his behalf (also signed by L/Col E Jones, CO of the Battalion): 

“I would like to mention the good work done by Pte (A L/Cpl) Salisbury during the time he has been with “D” Coy. 

His conduct during the enemy’s raid on the morning of March 4^th was a fine example to his comrades and at all times he has proved most capable in carrying out his duties.” 

I suspect that without that letter, his punishment would have been much more severe.  I also suspect that part of his punishment, although not recorded, was the denial of his medal for bravery. 

He was returned to Canada in Oct. 1918 and stationed at the armouries in Belleville Ontario, and discharged 26 Nov. 1918. 

Although he was from Kingston, he eventually moved to Thorny Ridge Dr, Holiday Florida, USA. 

In September of 1985, he was one of only four 21^st Battalion veterans who attended the last reunion of the Battalion’s Association.  The photo below appeared in the Belleville Intelligencer, September 26, 1985.  Howard Salisbury is on the right with Mitchell Fox on the left, another 21^st Battalion member.  Coincidentaly, Mitchell (Max) was even younger than Howard Salisbury.  He was born June 7, 1901.  Howard qualifies as the youngest member to have joined the Battalion, as Max didn't join the CEF until 1916.  It would follow that the 2 youngest members of the Battalion would be among the survivors to carry the memory of the 21st.

Summary of Service record

From the June 1936 issue of the Communiqué, answering the question of
who was the youngest to serve in the Battalion

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