County courage

“From little towns in a far land we came,

To save our honour and a world aflame,

By little towns in a far land we sleep;

And trust those things we won for you to keep.”
Rudyard Kipling

A Prince Edward County farm boy from Melville, 24-year-old Percy Way, died a hero in The Great War, a recipient of the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal). The son of Caleb and Annie Way of Consecon, he enlisted with the Canadian Infantry, (Quebec Regiment) and served with the 13th Battalion.

Lance Sergeant Way received the DCM for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his platoon to their objective after the platoon officer had been killed. On entering the enemy trenches, he worked around behind a machine gun which was inflicting heavy casualties and captured the gun and a crew of 12 enemy soldiers.

A hero on that day, he would later be killed in action, on Sept. 17, 1917. He was buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, United Kingdom. His military marker there carries the inscription “In memory of he who died a hero.” Way’s grieving parents also memorialized him at their gravesite in Wellington Cemetery. On their monument, his name is inscribed with his dates of birth and death and the initials D.C.M.

Picton store clerk Percy Clapp also was a winner of the DCM, although there is no account of how his medal was won. Acting Brigade Sergeant Major Clapp survived the war and returned home to his family. Born in Ottawa, he first came to Picton with his parents, as a young boy, and attended Prince Edward Collegiate Institute. He is pictured in uniform in its 1917 special edition, The Honour Roll.

The 2nd Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps War Diary shows that Clapp was detached to the 21st Battalion Unit Group 12 “H” at Kingston, Ontario for the purpose of demobilization on March 25, 1919. The War Diary mentions that he was the recipient of the DCM. He is also mentioned in The Journal of Private Fraser, Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1918. Author, Pvt. Donald Fraser refers to the decoration of several men for acts of heroism during the Fresnoy Engagement. He suggests that Clapp may have been among these soldiers, adding that their particular acts of bravery are not detailed.

Winner of the Military Cross for Valour, 22-year-old Lieutenant William “Bruce” Ferguson was decorated in 1917 by King George V of England. He was the son of Charles and Martha Ferguson of Roblin Mills and joined the Canadian Railway Troops, 9th Battalion in 1915. He was sent to England with 300 other officers and qualified as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps. He received the MC for his valuable work in locating targets and ranging and observing artillery fire and was responsible for the destruction of hostile batteries by the artillery.

It was stated in a letter written by his Commanding Officer, No. 6 Squadron, “He has shown throughout an example of gallantry combined with a great offensive spirit and resource.”

On July 7, 1918, Ferguson drowned when his plane went down over the Thames River, off the coast of England. He escaped the wreckage of his aircraft and was spotted by a boat a short distance away, but was unable to remain afloat until rescuers could reach him. He is buried at Hornchurch (St. Andrew’s Churchyard) Essex, United Kingdom. He is memorialized on the Picton Cenotaph, along with 15 other young men from Ameliasburgh Township who made the supreme sacrifice.