Sixteen and ready to serve!

Rod Hodgson of Hudson, Que., shares three photos of his great uncle George Mowat. From top to bottom they show Private Mowat at Valcartier, Que., in 1914; a few months later while overseas in a photo studio; as a sergeant participating in a parade in Montreal, post-First World War. Rod tells us that his great uncle left the military in the mid-1950s as a 2nd lieutenant. During the First World War he saw action at Ypres, the Somme, Vimy Ridge and Arras. He also served during the Second World War as a non-commissioned officer in England.

Men of the battery.

Rod Hodgson of Hudson, Que., shares a photo showing members of the 3rd Canadian Siege Battery, better known as the Cape’s Battery. “One man I knew very well was Howard Mullan of Hudson Heights, Que.,” says Hodgson. “He is in the back row, extreme right. At least 22 members of this battery were from Hudson and all returned home after the war.”

Home after a bombing run.

Rod Hodgson of Hudson, Que., also shares two wartime photos of an RCAF bomber crew after completing a mission over Germany. He says the photo shows members of 425 Squadron. “Navigator Bill Baxter of Hudson, Que., is on the right in the posed photo of the six airmen.” He is second from right in the photo that shows the men being welcomed home.

The photos are courtesy of Clare Baxter, Bill Baxter’s daughter.

We thank Rod for his contribution to Find-Share-Discuss, and invite readers to share similar memories of wartime and peacetime service.