The month begins with a birthday party – it is Canada day after all. Happy Canada Day. It has been 50 years since the federation of the provinces and the creation of the Dominion of Canada. Ceremonies are held to acknowledge and celebrate this day while the 1st Infantry Battalion is stationed at Fraser Camp. After Canada Day – or should I say Dominion Day – the troops are back on the front lines. For this first tour of the month they are again in working groups – working on trenches and tunnels. And once again this was not easy work and not without peril. The enemy continues with heavy shelling that results in 5 men being killed and 22 wounded. . One night a group of men are moving materials to the front line for the Tunneling group when the Germans bomb the tramway. Two more deaths result. Later in the month the Battalion is fighting in the trenches near Loo. The situation isn’t quiet – it is very active. Between the 25th and the 31st in the Loo sector 10 more men are killed and several wounded.
The month ends with a birthday party. This one in London Ontario. It’s the afternoon of July 31st and Deborah Ross Dixon is grateful that her son William has had a good nap. Deborah and Isabella have gathered all their friends and neighbours for a Birthday party. There is a good crowd of women and children gathered , but no men. Cousin Lorraine Beaton is all dressed up and very excited. Games are played. Gifts are exchanged. Two year old birthday parties are the best. Deborah has been busy baking and icing a cake. Happy Birthday is sung. William spits and proudly blows out the two candles on his Birthday Cake. Deborah can’t help but wonder where William’s father is. is he safe? Is he alive?