69 The Royal Canadian Legion MANITOBA & NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO COMMAND www.mbnwo.ca DYER, Hugh Marshall WWI Hugh was born in Kingston, Ireland, in 1861 and immigrated to Canada from England in 1881. When war was declared in 1914, he was senior officer (Major) in the Dragoons in Minnedosa, Manitoba. The 5th Battalion was formed, made up of volunteers from all across the western prairies. The Battalion was posted overseas. They sailed to England in the SS Lapland and set up camp at Salisbury Plains. The troops lived in tents. Wet, cold weather caused at least one death. Before proper barracks could be constructed, lumber had to be brought in by rail and before that could happen, a three-mile rail line had to be constructed. This was an impossibility, they were told. However, being a very stubborn Englishman, he saw to it that the line was built in only three weeks and the necessary huts were constructed. The 5th Battalion was involved in the second battle of Ypres in April 1915. Hugh was wounded by a sniper’s bullet which passed through his chest, narrowly missing his heart by an inch. He had stepped out of his trench to light his pipe and did similar foolish things all his life. While on a stretcher in an advance medical unit, the Doctor was sorting out the men who might survive the trip to England. The Doctor passed Hugh up as nearly dead. Hugh sat up and said: “You will die before I do”. And he did. He had a story about asking for a cup of tea and was brought a glass of water instead. He said: “I was thirsty, not dirty”. He lived on tea stewing on the back of the stove, it was black as ink. The Germans were using poison gas and the lines were broken up. Hugh, quite a hefty man, was carried out on a stretcher about four miles by his men. He eventually arrived at hospital in Calais, France, and was there about a month. A telegram was sent home saying he was not expected to live, so it was decided that his wife, the former Helen Pearson, should go to England to be by his side. Mrs. Dyer took son William (Bill) with her. They sailed from New York on a small ship, the Philadelphia. While disembarking up the gang plank, news boys were heard announcing the sinking of the Lusitaniaby an enemy submarine off the north coast of Ireland. After a month in hospital, the Brigadier was returned to England, made a marvelous recovery and returned to the Regiment in July. When Colonel Tuxford left the 5th Battalion to command a brigade, Hugh became Lt. Colonel in command of the 5th Battalion. One thing he was always trying to do was write to parents of all the men who had been killed or wounded in action and he knew many of the parents. In July 1917, he left the 5th Battalion to take command of the 7th Brigade and was promoted to Brigadier General. The 7th Brigade consisted of the Princess Pats, the Royal Canadian Regiment, the 42nd Royal Highlanders of Canada and the 49th Edmonton Regiment. On September 18, 1918, he left the 7th Brigade to take over the two camps at Seaford from which came many of the Canadian reinforcements for the front. Less than two months later, Armistice was signed and World War I was over. The Dyer family sailed from Liverpool on the SS Melita and arrived in Minnedosa to a tremendous welcome. A presentation was made of a chest of sterling silver. Later Hugh was presented with a portrait of himself which now hangs in the Legion Clubrooms. Hugh and Helen enjoyed riding and hunting old country style. When foxes were not available, coyotes substituted. Hugh was active on the Agricultural Fair Board and Hospital Board. In 1904, he became a member of the Agricultural College Board and in 1908, Chairman of the Board. He was Vice-President of the Western Empire Life Assurance Company and Chairman of the Canteen Fund, which was concerned with the needs of the returning servicemen. Mrs. Dyer passed away in April 1934, and her husband on Christmas Day, 1938. Brigadier Dyer was known by many of the soldiers under his command as “Daddy Dyer”. He was always broke financially but had the love of his men and loved them in return. He was always honest with everyone and expected the same from them. If anyone cheated or even tried to do so, he would have nothing more to do with them and he was very stubborn. His sword, about 1850 vintage, was donated to The Royal Canadian Legion Gen. Hugh Dyer Branch 138 in Minnedosa, named in his honour, by Harvey Ebner in 1986. He received the following medals: 1914-1918 War Medal, “The Great War for Civilization” Medal 1914-1919, War Service Medal, Medal for Service at the Front, King George V 1914-1919 Medal, and Battle of Ypres Medal as well as the following decorations: C.B. (order of the Bath), CMG (Conspicuous Gallantry Medal), and DSO (Distinguished Service Order).
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