ROWE, Elmer Austin

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         Fort Garry Horse
                                             Canadian Cavalry Brigade
SERVICE NO:                   117519
RESIDENCE:                     Edmonton - Alberta
DATE OF BIRTH:            August 15, 1894
                                             Fordwich (Portage) – Howick Township – County of Huron
DATE OF DEATH:           March 23, 1918                    23 years     7 months    
CEMETERY:                     Chauny Communal Cemetery British Extension – Chauny –
                                             Aisne – France
                                             2     H     7
SISTER:                              Miss Alberta Georgina Rowe – Fordwich - Ontario
Occupation:                        Tinsmith                               Religion - Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         January 25, 1915 – Edmonton - Alberta
Enlistment Age:                 20 years     5 months

On September 1, 1915 he was transferred to the 12th Canadian Mounted Rifles. He arrived at the port of Devonport aboard the SS Misanage on October 9, 1915. Then on February 3, 1916 he transfers to the Canadian Corps Depot at Shorncliffe. In three weeks he was with the Fort Garry Horse and proceeds overseas to France arriving there on February 25, 1916.
On March 23 the Fort Garry Horse were at Faillouel and moved up to support the British 54th Infantry Brigade. At 11:00 am “C” Squadron went to the northern exit of Faillouel to cover the retirement of the 54th - “C” Squadron held their position until the infantry were clear and then “C” Squadron was forced to retire because of an enamy armoured car and 2 lorries that had machine-guns mounted on them.
The infantry all along the line were retiring and at this point “A & B” Squadrons came into action at Le Four Croix and covered the left flank while “C” Squadron then moved and took up a position between Le Four Croix and the Faillouel – Villiequier – Aumont Road and held that line until all the infantry were clear. In the meantime, two batteries were using open sites and firing.
“A” Squadron and one squadron of the Royal Canadian Dragoons formed a rear guard while the remainder of the Brigade retired to Villiequier – Aumont.
Upon their arrival, it was found that one squadron of the Lord Strathcona’ Horse was still in Frieres Wood. “A & B” Squadron of The Fort Garry Horse along with two squadrons from the Lord Strathcona’s moved north and engaged the enemy in Bois de Genlis and held up the enemy here until the Lord Strathcona Squadron in the wood was able to retire.
While this was taking place the infantry on the left had retired and the enemy was now around the left flank. “A” Squadron of the Fort Garry’s was surrounded but held their positions until a party of French infantry drove the enemy back.
It was during this day of advancing and fighting along with rear actions where Lance Corporal Rowe lost his life in action.