Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 95 continued ... An unusual duty which fell to the lot of the gunners was to provide an examination service. A 70- ton steam pinnace, the SS Vigilant which arrived 20 August 1915, was procured in Trinidad. In the absence of naval personnel No. 6 Company furnished an officer and crew. The work consisted of seeing that no contraband, nor suspicious characters were on board ships entering or passing by the harbour. A customs officer accompanied the army officer on each occasion. Still more unusual was the task of mine sweeping which was imposed upon the crew of the Vigilant from April 1917. After 5 days of training by a visiting British naval officer, the entrance of the harbour was swept once a week. The average strength of the unit, due to gradual increases, was 250 all ranks including attached engineer, medical and other services. That sappers were there to set up search lights and improve accommodations. In all, 439 all ranks saw service in St Lucia (five died of sickness). As noted above five soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) died in St Lucia. Malaria claimed the lives of Gunners William Henry Cole and Frank John Bennetts. Corporal Albert Chrow, of the Canadian Engineers, died of the Spanish Flu, while Captain Adam Peden Chalmers, of the Canadian Amry Medical Corps, died of a heart attack due to stress. There is no recoded 'cause of death’ for Gunner James O’Connor. The Nova Scotia gunners of St Lucia were: DIGBY COUNTY Gunner Lenord (Lenard) Peter Doucet was born in Belliveau’s Cove NS on 10 April 1893. He was a farmer and the son of Peter Doucet. Lenord enlisted in the Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery (RCGA) of the CEF on 16 November 1915 and was discharged in May 1919. Gunner Frederick Joseph Belliveau was born on 25 March 1893 in Belliveau’s Cove NS. He was a farmer who enlisted on 16 November 1915 in Halifax. Frederick was discharged as medically unfit in September 1918. Sergeant Augustus LeBlanc was born on 5 August 1895 in Belliveau’s Cove NS. He was a student who had served a month in the 27th Battery in Digby when he enlisted in the CEF on 10 November 1915. At the time of his enlistment, he stated that his next of kin was Rose LeBlanc of Belliveau’s Cove. He was discharged on 14 December 1918. Gunner Frederick Pollard was born on 15 April 1894 in Bridgetown Barbados. He was an engineer and served for 6 months as a reserve gunner in the 27th Battery before enlisting in the CEF on 10 November 1915. Fred was living in Weymouth/Ashmore area of Digby County NS when he enlisted. Gunner Pollard was hospitalized for a week in July 1916 with a serious case of malaria. He was discharged in May 1919. S.S. Vigilant continued ...
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==