Life story retold by Paul Beecroft
77840 CORPORAL H.A. REES. MM
16 TH BN. CANADIAN INF. 12.8.16
Hugh Arthur REES was born on December 16th 1892 in Weymouth, Dorset and was baptised in the parish of Radipole, Dorset on April 9th 1893. His parents were Samuel REES, a Clerk with H.M. Customs and Mercy Nixon REES. The couple had a total of 6 children and Hugh was the youngest.
In 1901 the census shows the family living at 37, Winn Road, Portswood, Southampton. Also resident was a Governess, a housemaid and a cook.
Hugh was educated at Hurstpierpoint College between 1907 and 1911. During this time the family decided to emigrate to Canada and the decision was made for Hugh to remain in England until his education was completed. He left the college at the age of 20 and in February 1912 he made his way to Canada and joined his family in British Columbia.
In 1913/14, together with his brother Lewis he completed a course in Forestry management at the University of Washington in Seattle and then worked as a surveyor for the Forest Branch of the Canadian Department of Lands in Victoria, Canada.
His work as a surveyor did not last long as in 1914 war broke out. On October 22nd 1914 he joined the army. His Attestation papers record that his occupation was that of a Forrester. He confirmed that he belonged to an Active Militia, the 50th Regiment Highlanders and that he had served in the O.T.C. 1910/11. He was then sent to France and was with the 16th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Division), also known as the Canadian Scottish. Prior to being sent to France the 16th landed in England and did further training on Salisbury Plain.
On February 11th 1915, the 16th boarded the transport ship ‘Maidan’ and sailed to France. Following several days of further travel the 16th finally entered the war. Arthur fought in many battles. He had advanced in rank becoming a corporal and became a machine gunner with No. 2 team.
In June 1916, the 16th was involved in the battle of Mont Sorrell which took place in Ypres Salient along a ridge between Hooge and Zwarteleen. The battle was to last nearly two weeks. During this battle the Canadian casualties amounted to over 8,000. This would be Hugh’s last battle and the circumstances of what occurred are written in the book by Mark Zuehlke – Brave Battalion, Remarkable Saga of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish.)
“Groups of Germans could be seen near the trenches attempting to rally a counterattack. Seeing this and also spotting a German machine gun nearby, Cpl Hugh Arthur Rees, a machine gunner with No. 2 team, brought the weapon into action. For the next four hours, as Vancouver was increasingly pounded by German artillery, Rees kept the gun in operation and broke up one attempted counterattack after another, even when it became clear the enemy artillery were attempting to zero in on him. Finally a shell found the mark and the crewmen with him were all killed while Rees was badly wounded. It was an act of heroism that would see the British born twenty-three-year-old awarded a Military Medal for valour.
As mentioned, Hugh was badly wounded and was not found for three days. He laid in the dugout with no food or medical help. When he was finally located his wounds had become infected. He was finally evacuated and came back to England and was admitted into one of the War Hospitals in Reading on June 19th. Notes confirm that he had received injuries to his arm, back and a leg which was severe. His wounds though were in fact so severe and coupled with the infection he sadly died seven weeks later on August 12th.
On August 23rd Hugh was awarded Britain’s Military Medal for showing gallantry and devotion to duty when under fire at the battle of Mont Sorrel, Ypres Salient.
Hugh was buried in Reading Old Cemetery. He is commemorated on the screen wall at Reading Old Cemetery. He is also commemorated at the University of Washington, the Chapel at Hurstpierpoint and the Duncan War Memorial in British Columbia.
Division 71-72, War Plot