Figured this would be the best place for this as it really doesn't fit anywhere else so dealing with bilateral knee surgery for a couple days I got bored and decided to do some digging into my family tree and I was able to find a lot of information and pictures on two of my GG Uncles, and a newspaper article on three of my Great Uncles.
Be warned sort of lengthy read ahead.....sitting comfortably good then we shall begin
with odd fellow number 1: Cecil Francis Litster
now before anyones undies get in a bunch the photos are scanned out of a old scrap book and not the originals's.
Now Cecil here joined the 37th Battalion CEF in March of 1915 some time between then and November 1915 he was shuffled into 15th Battalion CEF. And we pick up from there with some of the publish letters home via the Orillia Packet:
The Orillia Packet, Nov. 4, 1915- Private Cecil Litster, now with the 15th Battalion, writing to his mother recently, says: “Belgium is a very pretty country. The trees have been taken care of and trimmed till they were full grown, and now they are all the same shape and look very fine. There is a good crop of grain in the country I have passed through.
The Orillia Packet, July 6, 1916- Private Cecil Litster, who was reported wounded recently, writes to his mother from No. 4 General Hospital, France, that he is feeling fairly well. His Battalion was the first to make an attack on the Germans to retake the trenches lost several weeks ago. Private Litster managed to get through the charge, but about five hours afterwards he was knocked unconscious. When he came to he had a little shrapnel in the arm and a twisted knee. He also got the full benefit of the concussion. It left him with a cheek about twice its usual size. The swelling had gone down, leaving a black eye and some numb flesh on his face.
The Orillia Packet, Sept 20, 1917- Mrs. J.G. Litster, Colborne street, has received a letter from her son, Cecil who was wounded this summer. The letter was written on August 27th. He was then still in France but feeling better. His right side was paralysed and he had not been able to use a pencil. When he was a little stronger he expected to be moved to England. His Orillia friends will be glad to hear that his work has been rewarded by promotion. He is now a Sergeant Major.
May 30, 1918- Sergt Cecil Litster, son of Mr. H.G. (sic) Litster, Colborne street, returned last week from England. He had a fast passage, being only 11 days coming from his camp to Orillia. Sergeant Litster has been in the overseas forces for 3 years and 3 months, serving in the 15th Battalion. He was wounded twice, the second time at Hill 70 and still has some German lead in his body, and another operation will be required to remove it. He was 8 months in hospital. Two brothers also have served. Reginald is home, but Percy is still in France. Sergeant Litster has grown two inches while away and is now six feet four inches.
And now unto Percy
Now Percy joined No.5 Draft of the Royal Canadian Dragoons in July 1916 and ended up with the 8th Battalion CEF aka the little black devils aka the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
and yet again he sent letters home and some were published via the Orillia Packet:
The Orillia Packet, July 6, 1916- While he was in Orillia last week Trooper Percy Litster was presented with a wrist watch by his fellow workmen in the trimming department at the Tudhope Carriage factory.
Aug 4, 1916- FROM TROOPER PERCY LITSTER- Writing from Shorncliffe, to his sister, Miss Ethel Litster, Trooper Percy Litster says: I arrived safely and met Bill Ritchie, Victor Draper, Russell Birchard, Mac McKensie, Captain Charters Sharpe and other Orillians. I can’t say that I like the barracks, but it is nice to get down town with the boys from home. The aeorplanes are with us all the time and we are now close enough to hear the guns at the front. I hear that Jim Woon has gone home. He and Percy Coates were quartered about a hundred yards from where we are. It took us seven days to cross. There was some excitement occasionally. The scenery on the St. Lawrence and in England is worth seeing and I hope someday to make the journey again. We sailed down the Irish coast and passed the Olympic, which is a monster.
The Orillia Packet, Dec 7, 1916- FROM PRIVATE PERCY LITSTER- Private Percy Litster has been transferred from the Royal Dragoons to the 8th Battalion in France. He writes his mother on November 6th:- I received your most welcome letter today, and tonight as we are resting I am taking the opportunity to write, as the opportunities are very scarce when in the trenches. I was in the first line trenches on sentry looking through a periscope at Fritz’s trenches, when our platoon Corporal came along and handed me twelve letters, and believe me, mother, I was tickled to death to get them. You can tell-- I will answer his letter as I am tired tonight, for we marched six miles with full pack to our billets. A fellow realises now what a home is and a good bed. I suppose everybody is well and you are happy. Well, I can’t share on any of the melons, tomatoes, grapes, corn, apples &c., but I hope you will send at least two boxes a month to me containing smokes, socks, and good substantial cakes or cake. Be sure to send them in tin boxes. I haven’t seen Cecil yet, but he is in my division, and I’ll soon meet him. It appears by my letters that nobody knows I am in France and in the trenches. I’m now with the 8th Battalion, Winnipeg Rifles, known as the “little Black Devils,” but I think there are a lot of big ones. I’ll send you some of our badges as soon as I can get them. I often wish the cavalry could get in action for I long for a good gallop, and to wield my sword, but I don’t think they need the cavalry, so that is why I got in the infantry. So Reggie is in England, Eh? Well, they can’t say the Litsters aren’t doing their bit. Say, I wish you would let the Packet know my address, as I like to read it very much. Well, it appears I won’t be home for Christmas, but I think the war will be over by next summer, that is, if we still keep on as we are doing now. I must close, as I need sleep, for I’ve been on the go day and night for the last four days. Remember me to my friends and neighbours. My address is No. 550,208, Private Percy Litster, 8th Batallion, B Company, 7th Platoon, Canadian Contingent, B.E.F., France.
The Orillia Packet, Feb 8, 1917- FROM PRIVATE PERCY LITSTER- Writing from France on January 4th to his mother, Private Percy Litster says: I received your welcome letter a few days ago. I also got the papers and noticed that there were two births and seven deaths recorded. I thought that was fairly good for Orillia. But Orillia is the best town in the world- nearly, as old Sol Robbins. I received your welcome parcel and some others and managed to put in Christmas all right. The last Orillians I came across were the 40th Battery boys , about three weeks ago. Ken Macnab was on duty and the others were on the horse lines when I was over. We have a number of new dances over here: “ The whiz-bang Duck,” “The 58th Battalion Dug-our Double,” “ The Machine Gun Trot,” “The shell hole Dive,” “The Winnewafer side step,” “The sniper’s Delight,” and others. I suppose hockey is in full swing at home, but Orillia will not have a chance as all the stars are over in this beloved country.
The Orillia Packet, Feb 21, 1918- SERGT. PERCY A. LITSTER- Son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Litster, Orillia, who has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, for “rushing two machine guns in a fortified shell hole, killing the gunners.
TOP, Sept 19, 1918- LOCAL ASPECTS OF THE WAR- Percy Litster of the 8th Battalion is now a Sergeant Major.
The Orillia Packet & Times, Nov 19, 1942- TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO- An Orillia boy, Sergeant Percy Litster has been recommended to receive the Victoria Cross and has received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, which he is now wearing. Sergeant Litster, who is only 19 years old is a son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Litster, Colborne street. He enlisted in Toronto with the Dragoons, and went overseas over two years ago.
^ there is the sheet detailing the Award.
now the funny thing with Percy is he ended up as Temporary Lt. in December of 1918 and the London Gazette states:
The undermentioned to be temp.
Lts.: —
No. 550208 Actg. Co. Serjt.-Maj. P. A.
Litster, D.C.M.
And here are three of my Great Uncles all three served with in WW2.
so left to right John Gordon Litster served with 8th Field Regiment RCA (Self- Propelled) in Italy. Howard Litster was a CATP link trainer instructor through out the War and Roy Litster ended up with the RCR and played in the RCR Band in Rome.
Funnily enough the museum I volunteer at in Brandon has Great Uncle Gordon's tunic from the late 40's early 50's with ribbons but no medals and a couple of note books of his on the 25 pdr and the ###ton SPG and his document carrying case.
Roy ended up with the local fire brigade until he decided to drive the fire engine on the side walk and got a bit axe happy during one kitchen fire, then he was a dispatcher.
Howard as far as I know ended up with the local Militia Regiment as well as Gordon.
And another Great Uncle who ended up with the FSSF and here is what I found out about him:
Litster, Cecil W. (B-131211) Silver Star
"Private Infantry, Canadian Army. For gallantry in action on 30 May 1944, near Artena, Italy. While occupying a precarious hill position, Private Litster's company was subject to continous mortar and artillery fire which inflicted heavy casaulties. the position became almost untenable. An enemy tank fire on the company's positions from a distance of 300 yards, and Private Litster crawled down the exposed slope of the hill with his rocket launcher. While under intense and accurate fire from enemy snipers he fired two rockets at the tank. One round fell close enough to the armor to damage the treads. Unstatisfied with this accomplishment, Private Litster remained in his hazardous position until more ammunition could be brought to him. Suddenly the tank turned and fired five shells point blank at his position, severely wounding him in the leg and rendering his weapon useless. Private Litster succeeded in crawling up the exposed slope to reach safety. His fearlessness and dogged determination to destroy the enemy armor was an inspiration to all who witnessed his intrepid action. Entered military service from Sudbury, Ontario Canada.
Thanks for reading everyone hopefully no-one fell asleep. And this will probably get updated whenever Library and Archives Canada decides to send the files on a number of my relatives 7 in total 3 that fought in WW1 and 4 that fought in WW2. As well as more digging through newspaper archives.
Be warned sort of lengthy read ahead.....sitting comfortably good then we shall begin
with odd fellow number 1: Cecil Francis Litster
now before anyones undies get in a bunch the photos are scanned out of a old scrap book and not the originals's.
Now Cecil here joined the 37th Battalion CEF in March of 1915 some time between then and November 1915 he was shuffled into 15th Battalion CEF. And we pick up from there with some of the publish letters home via the Orillia Packet:
The Orillia Packet, Nov. 4, 1915- Private Cecil Litster, now with the 15th Battalion, writing to his mother recently, says: “Belgium is a very pretty country. The trees have been taken care of and trimmed till they were full grown, and now they are all the same shape and look very fine. There is a good crop of grain in the country I have passed through.
The Orillia Packet, July 6, 1916- Private Cecil Litster, who was reported wounded recently, writes to his mother from No. 4 General Hospital, France, that he is feeling fairly well. His Battalion was the first to make an attack on the Germans to retake the trenches lost several weeks ago. Private Litster managed to get through the charge, but about five hours afterwards he was knocked unconscious. When he came to he had a little shrapnel in the arm and a twisted knee. He also got the full benefit of the concussion. It left him with a cheek about twice its usual size. The swelling had gone down, leaving a black eye and some numb flesh on his face.
The Orillia Packet, Sept 20, 1917- Mrs. J.G. Litster, Colborne street, has received a letter from her son, Cecil who was wounded this summer. The letter was written on August 27th. He was then still in France but feeling better. His right side was paralysed and he had not been able to use a pencil. When he was a little stronger he expected to be moved to England. His Orillia friends will be glad to hear that his work has been rewarded by promotion. He is now a Sergeant Major.
May 30, 1918- Sergt Cecil Litster, son of Mr. H.G. (sic) Litster, Colborne street, returned last week from England. He had a fast passage, being only 11 days coming from his camp to Orillia. Sergeant Litster has been in the overseas forces for 3 years and 3 months, serving in the 15th Battalion. He was wounded twice, the second time at Hill 70 and still has some German lead in his body, and another operation will be required to remove it. He was 8 months in hospital. Two brothers also have served. Reginald is home, but Percy is still in France. Sergeant Litster has grown two inches while away and is now six feet four inches.
And now unto Percy
Now Percy joined No.5 Draft of the Royal Canadian Dragoons in July 1916 and ended up with the 8th Battalion CEF aka the little black devils aka the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
and yet again he sent letters home and some were published via the Orillia Packet:
The Orillia Packet, July 6, 1916- While he was in Orillia last week Trooper Percy Litster was presented with a wrist watch by his fellow workmen in the trimming department at the Tudhope Carriage factory.
Aug 4, 1916- FROM TROOPER PERCY LITSTER- Writing from Shorncliffe, to his sister, Miss Ethel Litster, Trooper Percy Litster says: I arrived safely and met Bill Ritchie, Victor Draper, Russell Birchard, Mac McKensie, Captain Charters Sharpe and other Orillians. I can’t say that I like the barracks, but it is nice to get down town with the boys from home. The aeorplanes are with us all the time and we are now close enough to hear the guns at the front. I hear that Jim Woon has gone home. He and Percy Coates were quartered about a hundred yards from where we are. It took us seven days to cross. There was some excitement occasionally. The scenery on the St. Lawrence and in England is worth seeing and I hope someday to make the journey again. We sailed down the Irish coast and passed the Olympic, which is a monster.
The Orillia Packet, Dec 7, 1916- FROM PRIVATE PERCY LITSTER- Private Percy Litster has been transferred from the Royal Dragoons to the 8th Battalion in France. He writes his mother on November 6th:- I received your most welcome letter today, and tonight as we are resting I am taking the opportunity to write, as the opportunities are very scarce when in the trenches. I was in the first line trenches on sentry looking through a periscope at Fritz’s trenches, when our platoon Corporal came along and handed me twelve letters, and believe me, mother, I was tickled to death to get them. You can tell-- I will answer his letter as I am tired tonight, for we marched six miles with full pack to our billets. A fellow realises now what a home is and a good bed. I suppose everybody is well and you are happy. Well, I can’t share on any of the melons, tomatoes, grapes, corn, apples &c., but I hope you will send at least two boxes a month to me containing smokes, socks, and good substantial cakes or cake. Be sure to send them in tin boxes. I haven’t seen Cecil yet, but he is in my division, and I’ll soon meet him. It appears by my letters that nobody knows I am in France and in the trenches. I’m now with the 8th Battalion, Winnipeg Rifles, known as the “little Black Devils,” but I think there are a lot of big ones. I’ll send you some of our badges as soon as I can get them. I often wish the cavalry could get in action for I long for a good gallop, and to wield my sword, but I don’t think they need the cavalry, so that is why I got in the infantry. So Reggie is in England, Eh? Well, they can’t say the Litsters aren’t doing their bit. Say, I wish you would let the Packet know my address, as I like to read it very much. Well, it appears I won’t be home for Christmas, but I think the war will be over by next summer, that is, if we still keep on as we are doing now. I must close, as I need sleep, for I’ve been on the go day and night for the last four days. Remember me to my friends and neighbours. My address is No. 550,208, Private Percy Litster, 8th Batallion, B Company, 7th Platoon, Canadian Contingent, B.E.F., France.
The Orillia Packet, Feb 8, 1917- FROM PRIVATE PERCY LITSTER- Writing from France on January 4th to his mother, Private Percy Litster says: I received your welcome letter a few days ago. I also got the papers and noticed that there were two births and seven deaths recorded. I thought that was fairly good for Orillia. But Orillia is the best town in the world- nearly, as old Sol Robbins. I received your welcome parcel and some others and managed to put in Christmas all right. The last Orillians I came across were the 40th Battery boys , about three weeks ago. Ken Macnab was on duty and the others were on the horse lines when I was over. We have a number of new dances over here: “ The whiz-bang Duck,” “The 58th Battalion Dug-our Double,” “ The Machine Gun Trot,” “The shell hole Dive,” “The Winnewafer side step,” “The sniper’s Delight,” and others. I suppose hockey is in full swing at home, but Orillia will not have a chance as all the stars are over in this beloved country.
The Orillia Packet, Feb 21, 1918- SERGT. PERCY A. LITSTER- Son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Litster, Orillia, who has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, for “rushing two machine guns in a fortified shell hole, killing the gunners.
TOP, Sept 19, 1918- LOCAL ASPECTS OF THE WAR- Percy Litster of the 8th Battalion is now a Sergeant Major.
The Orillia Packet & Times, Nov 19, 1942- TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO- An Orillia boy, Sergeant Percy Litster has been recommended to receive the Victoria Cross and has received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, which he is now wearing. Sergeant Litster, who is only 19 years old is a son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Litster, Colborne street. He enlisted in Toronto with the Dragoons, and went overseas over two years ago.
^ there is the sheet detailing the Award.
now the funny thing with Percy is he ended up as Temporary Lt. in December of 1918 and the London Gazette states:
The undermentioned to be temp.
Lts.: —
No. 550208 Actg. Co. Serjt.-Maj. P. A.
Litster, D.C.M.
And here are three of my Great Uncles all three served with in WW2.
so left to right John Gordon Litster served with 8th Field Regiment RCA (Self- Propelled) in Italy. Howard Litster was a CATP link trainer instructor through out the War and Roy Litster ended up with the RCR and played in the RCR Band in Rome.
Funnily enough the museum I volunteer at in Brandon has Great Uncle Gordon's tunic from the late 40's early 50's with ribbons but no medals and a couple of note books of his on the 25 pdr and the ###ton SPG and his document carrying case.
Roy ended up with the local fire brigade until he decided to drive the fire engine on the side walk and got a bit axe happy during one kitchen fire, then he was a dispatcher.
Howard as far as I know ended up with the local Militia Regiment as well as Gordon.
And another Great Uncle who ended up with the FSSF and here is what I found out about him:
Litster, Cecil W. (B-131211) Silver Star
"Private Infantry, Canadian Army. For gallantry in action on 30 May 1944, near Artena, Italy. While occupying a precarious hill position, Private Litster's company was subject to continous mortar and artillery fire which inflicted heavy casaulties. the position became almost untenable. An enemy tank fire on the company's positions from a distance of 300 yards, and Private Litster crawled down the exposed slope of the hill with his rocket launcher. While under intense and accurate fire from enemy snipers he fired two rockets at the tank. One round fell close enough to the armor to damage the treads. Unstatisfied with this accomplishment, Private Litster remained in his hazardous position until more ammunition could be brought to him. Suddenly the tank turned and fired five shells point blank at his position, severely wounding him in the leg and rendering his weapon useless. Private Litster succeeded in crawling up the exposed slope to reach safety. His fearlessness and dogged determination to destroy the enemy armor was an inspiration to all who witnessed his intrepid action. Entered military service from Sudbury, Ontario Canada.
Thanks for reading everyone hopefully no-one fell asleep. And this will probably get updated whenever Library and Archives Canada decides to send the files on a number of my relatives 7 in total 3 that fought in WW1 and 4 that fought in WW2. As well as more digging through newspaper archives.
