Adam Murdie Hogg

Adam Murdie Hogg was born on 15 October 1895 in New Belses, Roxburghshire, Scotland (parish of Ancrum, near Jedburgh) to Alexander and Jessie Hogg. Adam's parents married on 28 December 1888 in the Parish of Ancrum at Berseslees.

The 1901 census records the family living at 'Belses Joiners House', Ancrum, Roxburghshire. Adam's father Alexander, was a 41 year old general labourer. His mother was aged 40, and his older brother James was aged 7. Living with them was 82 year old Jessie Murdie, the mother of Adam's mother.

The Hogg family emigrated to Alberta, Canada in 1906, and were perhaps typical of the thousands of families from the British Isles who emigrated to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA, in search of a better way of life. Many, like Adam, were destined to return to fight and die for the 'Old Country' in the Great War. It has been suggested that some 60% of those who served in the Canadian Army during 1914 - 1918, were born in the UK.

On arrival in 1906 the family travelled by train from Calgary to Innisfail, Alberta, where it seems they had to buy all their supplies. They travelled by wagon to their homestead, and are recorded in the 26 June 1906 Canadian census as living in Pine Lake, Strathcona, Alberta. However, the census is somewhat confusing as they didn't live in Pine Lake, they went straight to Elnora, which is about 30 miles from Innisfail. They owned two horses, two milk cows and two meat cattle. It was noted that all the family could read and write.

The Hogg family was one of the first families to settle in Elnora, about 8 miles from Pine Lake, and they had a part in the naming of the town. The name Elnora was chosen, honouring both Mrs. Hogg and Mrs. Edwards, who looked after the birthing of babies and the general welfare of the district.

Initially they lived in tents whilst they built a wooden shack, which was a stop gap whilst they built their main house, completed in 1910. The shack hosted the first church service in Elnora in 1906, so they did not have to live in tents for very long. The shack must have been well built, as it was still standing on the farm as late as 2000. In 2011 the main house was still in occupation by Adam's family.

Some of the settlers, including the Hoggs', for a time lived in 'soddies'. These were little houses made from cutting sod and stacking it together to form a house and usually dug in against a bank. The winter of 1906-1907 was very severe with four feet of snow, drifting to fourteen feet. A friend of the family, Bella Stroyan, also from Scotland, spent her first winter in a tent at nearby Ashcroft. The early settlers must have been a tough hardy bunch!

The 1916 census taken on 1 June shows the family living in the Red Deer district of Alberta. Adam's father and brother James are described as farmers, whilst Adam was described as a soldier and farmer. They stated their religion as Presbyterian

Adam attested into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on 18 April 1916, in Elnora at the age of 20 years and 6 months and was given service number 736966. He stated that he had been born in Scotland, and that his father Alexander Hogg was his next-of-kin, living in Elnora. He worked as a farmer and he was unmarried.

He underwent an Army medical on the same day and was considered fit. To quote the Army form:

He can see at the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs, and he declares that he is not subject to fits of any description.

Adam was 5 feet 8½ inches tall, and had a fully expanded chest measurement of 39¼ inches with an expansion of 4 inches. His complexion was ruddy, his eyes were blue and his hair was brown.

The town of Lethbridge was the mobilisation point for the 13th Military District. The 113th Battalion (Lethbridge Highlanders) Canadian Expeditionary Force came into being on 22 December 1915, part of a recruiting drive that allowed men from the same region to enlist and serve together for the duration of the war. Somewhat akin to the 'Pals' battalions raised in the UK. The battalion, consisting of 883 officers and men had its barracks at the exhibition grounds in Lethbridge.

Adam joined the 113th Battalion and would have received his basic training, lasting 14 weeks, given in the use of rifles and hand grenades as well as drilling, route marches and many inspections.

In May 1916 Adam's Battalion moved to Sarcee Camp near Calgary for further training that lasted until September. Whilst there they used painted rocks taken from the river bed, packed into sacks, to construct their battalion number, 113, on nearby Signal Hill in Battalion Park. Three other Battalions also constructed their Battalion number on the hill, using between them some 16,000 rocks. The Battalion numbers were still visible in 2011.

On 26 September 1916 the Battalion embarked on the transport ship SS Tuscania, and ten days later on 6 October Adam was in England. The Battalion then went to Sandling near Shorncliffe. Here, despite the promise that they would remain together for the duration, they were told that they would not be going to France as a fighting unit but would be sent to various units as replacements. Adam was transferred to the 85th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Nova Scotia Highlanders), which was based at Witley Camp, Surrey.

In 1920 a history of the 85th Battalion Canadian infantry was written by Lt Col Joseph Hayes. Although not mentioned by name until the Battle of Valenciennes towards the end of 1918, the history details all the battles that Adam fought in, so we can get a glimpse of what Adam had to endure.

On 10 February 1917 the 85th Battalion sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne. On 14 February after travelling by train and then marching, the battalion arrived at Souchez in the Vimy Ridge sector, just before the start of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. On 26 March the 85th Battalion was told that at the start of the battle it would be in reserve to be called upon in case of emergency. Until then they would be employed on various tasks including the making of dugouts, looking after stores dumps, maintaining communication trenches, carrying ammunition, and following the attacking troops to deal with any residual resistance.

During the winter of 1916/17 immense preparations for the Battle of Vimy Ridge were undertaken. Tunnels had been dug, running from the support trenches through to the front line. Through these tunnels soldiers could safely reach the front without being shelled or shot at. Food, ammunition, stores and reinforcements could also safely pass through to the front. For three weeks before the troops 'went over the top', artillery pounded the German defences, stopping and starting at irregular intervals, so that the enemy was never quite sure when the attack might commence. When the attack finally came it was heralded by the explosion of many mines under the German front line. The Battle of Vimy Ridge commenced at 5.30am on Easter Sunday, 9 April 1917 and raged until 12 April.

Although in reserve, by the afternoon Adam's Battalion was ordered to attack a German strongpoint that had withstood the initial assault. This they successfully did, but for the loss of 56 men killed and 282 wounded, over 25% of the Battalion strength. Adam was not one of the casualties. The Battalion was relieved very early on 12 April by a battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment, and marched back to camp at Bouvigny Huts.

It is generally agreed that the taking of Vimy Ridge by the Canadians, elevated Canada from colonial status to Nationhood. At the highest point of the ridge on Hill 145 within a 100 hectare park, stands the magnificent Canadian memorial (http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/Memorials/ww1mem/vimy), a tribute to all Canadians who fought. Inscribed on the walls are the names of some 11,285 Canadians who have no known grave.

During the period between the end of the battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917 and the commencement of their role in the battle of Passchendaele in October 1917 the Battalion did not fight in any major battles. Nevertheless they were kept busy holding the line, digging trenches, making trench raids, beating off counter attacks, staging practice attacks, and making small scale attacks to improve defensive positions, all of which saw the Battalion continue to receive casualties.

By 17 October Adam was in the Ypres salient near Poperinghe where a 1-1000 scale model of the village of Passchendaele was shown to the Battalion. On 23 October the Battalion was transported by bus to a very muddy camp at Brandhoek.

On 28 October the Battalion entrained for Ypres, and then marched to Potijze. Here they were equipped with bombs, ammunition, Very lights, extra rations and water. Once fully equipped they marched on into a salient towards Zonnebeke, in order to be in the line ready to 'go over the top' the next day. However, just as they reached the line they were counter attacked by a large force of Germans. This attack was beaten off but caused the Battalion many casualties.

October 29 was spent in the line of shell holes and shallow trenches, keeping quiet as the Germans were only 15 to 20 yards away, and the attack was due to start next morning. Once the attack started it became apparent that the barrage had not been effective, and many machine guns opened fire. Many enemy machine guns were attacked and silenced with acts of immense bravery, but only at the cost of a great number of casualties to the 85th, who lost most of their officers. It was during this battle that Adam was seriously wounded.

Adam was to spend five months away from the Battalion whilst recovering. Some of this time would be spent at Woodcote Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Epsom. Whilst he was at Woodcote Park, on 19 January 1918 he wrote a letter to his fiancé Elizabeth Stroyan:

In another letter from Adam written from Woodcote Park and dated 30 January 1918, Adam wrote: I am getting ready to have drawing kit and what not and cleaning up there is always a lot of dinky work to do guess we won't bother drawing any kits when I get out of the army.

Adam, restored to health, left Woodcote Park and returned to France rejoining his battalion on 6 April 1918, at Aubrey Camp at Ecurie.

The War diaries of the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Woodcote Park, Epsom are held by the Library and Archives Canada

Just before Adam rejoined the battalion, on 21 March 1918 the Germans had launched their massive spring offensive, known as the Kaiserschlacht, their desperate bid to win the war before American troops arrived in force. This massive attack pushed back British forces by up to 20 miles, but did not break through, and by 5 April, the day before Adam rejoined the battalion, the attacks petered out.

For about the next four months up until the August attacks that led to the last '100 days' of the war and final victory, the 85th were not engaged in major battles. However, they were not idle. There was always work to be done in digging trenches and dugouts, and putting out barbed wire entanglements in front of the trenches.

British forces on the Western Front were encouraged to always adopt an offensive attitude and to constantly harass the enemy by shelling or sniping. Trench raids were another way to harass the enemy. Typically 40 men, sometimes more, sometimes less, would attack a small length of the enemy trench with a view to capture or kill as many enemy as possible, destroy enemy equipment, gather information and then get back to their own lines as quickly as possible. The Canadians were particularly adept and keen on trench raids, but they were dangerous and the raiding party would often incur casualties. We don't know if Adam took part in any trench raids, but he would certainly have known about them.

During this relatively quiet time, between the all out German spring offensives and the Allied final assaults the opportunity was taken to make new defensive systems in the back areas, and to practice and train for the open warfare that was about to commence. Also during this period the Battalion was issued with kilts for the first time!

On 8 August British forces launched a massive attack which came to be known as the Battle of Amiens, the beginning of the end of the war. It was a massive all arms attack with the infantry, tanks, artillery and air forces all combining and closely co-operating to form an irresistible force. Adam's Battalion took up positions at Demuin, south east of Amiens and during the first day fought their way forward about eleven miles. Having lost many officers and men, including the CO and second in command, the Battalion was relieved on 12 August and placed in reserve at Caix Wood. The 85th had fought bravely over the four days relieving the threat to Amiens, and in total, British forces captured 21,250 prisoners and 400 guns.

The Canadians now moved north to prepare for their next attack. On 30 August the Battalion received orders for an attack on the Hindenburg Line, a formidable defensive system consisting of three lines of trenches and a support trench, all protected by heavy belts of barbed wire and well sited machine guns. They were ordered to attack the Drocourt-Queant Line (part of the Hindenburg Line), and to capture Mt Dury just south of Dury. The attack commenced at 4.20am on Monday 2 September, with the first 300 yards of the of the charge costing the lives of 23 men of the 85th Battalion. Their objective had been reached by 6.15am and the seemingly impregnable Hindenburg Line had been breached.

The next day, 3 September, Adam was promoted Lance Corporal, and on 4 September the Battalion moved into reserve at Cherisy where training continued and new drafts were absorbed to take the place of those who had fallen. Part of the Battalion training was undertaken at the Gas School at Wailly where their gas masks were tested for leaks. During this period of training Adam passed a Lewis Gun training course, finishing on 26 September. His tutor wrote "Grade B. Capable and reliable fellow who would make a good No 1. An enthusiastic L.G. man.

The 85th now prepared itself for the next battles, for Bourlon and Cambrai. The jumping off positions were just west of Inchy, and after marching through heavy rain, by 3a.m. on 27 September the Battalion was in place ready for Zero hour. The creeping barrage commenced at 5.40a.m. and at 5.55 the 85th went 'over the top'. The morning was fine but a thick mist reduced visibility to 300 yards. The Canal du Nord was dry at the point of crossing, but the enemy had shelled this point with gas shells which necessitated the wearing of 'small box respirators'. After crossing the canal the Battalion started taking casualties due to machine gun fire from Bourlon village and wood. Forward companies pushed forward so fast that they got ahead of their own barrage and had to take cover until the barrage had moved on. Three tanks assisting the Battalion were extremely useful, and by 9.45a.m. the 85th Battalion objective, Bourlon, had been captured. Canadian Engineers then went through the town to render harmless booby traps and mines. Enemy shelling continued throughout the day and counter attacks were beaten off.

The next morning Saturday 28th, the Battalion, with a strength of 18 officers and 523 other ranks was ready for the next phase of the battle. At about 11a.m. the Battalion dug in close to the Raillencourt-Marquion road and was able to observe the fight for Cambrai. That night they slept as best they could under improvised cover. The next morning they moved to attack the enemy at Sancourt, north of Cambrai, and suffered many casualties. By the end of the battle, on 1 October the Battalion was reduced to a strength of 12 officers and 224 other ranks, reduced from a strength of 25 officers and 605 other ranks, a loss of 63% of its fighting force.

Withdrawn from the line, the Battalion received drafts of men, re-equipped and continued training ready for the next battle, even as newspapers were reporting that negotiations for an armistice were taking place, and the end of the war was in sight.

Whilst at the village of Sauchy-Cauchy, on 17 October 1918, the Battalion was inspected by the Prince of Wales, known as Captain Windsor, a Staff Captain in the Canadian Corps.

Over the next few days the Battalion closely followed the retreating German Army, and in so doing encountered many civilians trying to salvage what they could from the deliberate destruction of their homes by the retreating German Army. In the tows and villages, after four years of occupation, the men received rapturous welcomes from the newly liberated French civilians.

As they neared Valenciennes opposition stiffened, and temporary pontoon bridges had to be positioned to replace bridges over canals that had been blown up by the Germans. By 1 November Valenciennes had been liberated, but the men had to be careful to avoid the many booby traps left for them. Although the war would end in ten days time, the relentless fighting continued until the bitter end.

On 6 November at 5.30a.m., about three miles east of Valenciennes, the battalion launched an attack to capture Fosse No. 2, and the town of Quievrechain, with the river Aunelle and the Franco-Belgian border as the objective. This was to be the last battle for the 85th Battalion, and casualties were heavy. Adam's 'A' Company had as its first objective, Fosse No.2. Two Platoons were sent to the right and two Platoons to the left of the Fosse, thus enveloping it. Having captured the Fosse, at 6.30am they proceeded towards the town of Quievrechain, and by 7.58am 'A' Company had consolidated the right flank.

The following is a direct quote from the 85th Battalion history:

Lance Corporal Adam M. Hogg was in charge of a Lewis gun and Section and by determined and skilful handling of his gun caused heavy casualties to the enemy. On one occasion when several men of his platoon were in danger of being cut off by a party of the enemy with two machine guns this N.C.O. quickly out-flanked the enemy party and attacked them with such vigor that they abandoned their guns and were badly cut up in their retreat. Later while advancing with great determination against another hostile machine gun he was severely wounded.

Adam's wound was caused by a machine gun bullet entering his back, and although he was evacuated to the 23rd Casualty Clearing Station at Brebieres, and given the best medical attention available at the time, he died seven days later, on 13 November 1918, two days after the armistice. His nurse wrote from the 23rd Casualty Clearing Station that Adam was: "wounded in the groin with bladder and bowel involved".

On 11 December 1918 Adam's Commanding Officer wrote to his parents in Elnora, Alberta:

Dear Mr. Hogg      Long before this letter reaches you, you will have been officially notified of the sad news that your son - 737966 (sic) L/Corporal A.M. Hogg - has died of wounds received in action.
     Your son had established a long and most creditable record of services in France, of which you may well be proud. He came to the Battalion on the 17th March, 1917, and rendered excellent service through the summer campaign which terminated for this Unit at the famous battle of Passchendaele, where your son was wounded and was consequently invalided to England for a period of convalescence and rest. He came back to the Battalion again on the 6th April, 1918. For his good work in the operations at Amiens and on the Scarpe, he was made a Lance Corporal and sent on a Lewis Gun course in September.
     It was on the last day of the last operation in which the Battalion was engaged that he was fatally wounded by a machine gun bullet in the back, just as the Battalion was completing its task of driving the Hun back across the Franco-Belgian border, which paved the way for the final attack around Mons whereby the Canasdian Corps finished its work in the world war. He was hit on the morning of 6th November during the advance with his Company ("A" Company).
     It is especially sad to think that some of these boys, who have shared the pleasures and hardships with the Battalion for so long, should have been destined to leave us when our work was so near completion; and I want you to know that we miss him as well as you. His wound was immediately dressed by a Stretcher Bearer and he was hurried to the nearest Field Ambulance from whence he was taken to No.23 Casualty Clearing Station, where everything possible in the way of modern medical appliances and the most careful attendance was done for him, but his wound proved too serious and the poor chap passed away there at 2.30am on the 13th. You will please believe our sympathy for you to be very genuine and very sincere.
          Sincerely yours
          JL Ralston   Lt.-Colonel
               Commanding 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
                    (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

PS. May I add that since this letter was dictated we have received notice that the recommendation which was sent in that your son be awarded given the military medal for Gallantry in the last operation has been approved and the decoration has been awarded. This is a (illegible) satisfaction to you - I know how proud your son would have been to wear it and I want to congratulate you on this official recognition of his worth - I only wish he could have known that this honour had come to him - The decoration will be forwarded to you and I know you will have solemn pride I receiving it.
JLR

Adam would also have received the War medal and the Victory medal.

On 4 January 1919 a friend wrote to Adam's mother from Clive House Hospital, Welshpool, North Wales:

Dear Mrs Hogg      I hardly know how to write to you concerning the loss of your son. Only that I knew him very well. In fact he was like a brother to me after the loss of my own brother in May this spring. Hogg (as we always called him) and I were always together both out and in the line for wee were scouts together in the same section. Hogg knew my brother (Roy) perhaps he wrote to you about him for they were great friends. I shall never forget the morning I was wounded Sept 2nd 1918. We were going over the top through a very heavy barrage, your son was at my side when I went down. He did everything he could for me and as we shook hands and parted for he had to go on. He said cheer up old pal you will pull through yet. He also promised to write home a message to my mother in case I didn't for I was quite badly wounded through the chest.      I didn't hear of the death of my dear friend until a few weeks ago. It was like loosing another brother to me.      Hogg was a son any mother would be proud of with his straight forward good natured manly ways and a great favorite among the boys.      You have my heart felt sympathy for the loss of your dear son who gave his life for a noble cause. Perhaps your parting will not be for long for your son was a true believer in God and lived a stainless life while I knew him.                Your Son's Comrade in Arms                Arnold Guy McLellan

The next of kin of all who were killed received from the British Government a Bronze memorial plaque (www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk/SoldiersPenny.html) sometimes know as the 'Soldier's Penny'.

In addition to the memorial plaque, the Canadian Government gave to mothers and wives a silver memorial cross. Adam's cross cannot be located, and it is believed that it probably remained with his mother at the time of her funeral.

Had he survived the war, Adam would no doubt have married his beloved Elizabeth, but of course it was not to be. In 1928, ten years after the war had ended, Elizabeth married Adam's brother James and they went on to have twin girls, Jay and Mary. They both live in Elnora and Jay lives in the original homestead.

Sources:
www.cefresearch.com/matrix/Army%20Corps/Divisions/Reorganized%20Units/Reinforcements/113th%20Battalion.htm
'The Eighty-Fifth in France and Flanders' by Lt. Col. Joseph Hayes, DSO, CAMC.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
85th Battalion Canadian Infantry, War diary.
'Buried Treasures' by Jim Hogg