An old Strathcona's sword has returned to its family almost a century after it fell in France during the First World War.
Members of the Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) regiment and the Willoughby family gathered at the Edmonton Garrison Friday to accept the bayonet of Pte. John Willoughby, who died during a cavalry charge in near France's Moreuil Wood.
Carpenter Jean-Paul Brunel found the bayonet, as well as some coins, badges, bullets and Willoughby's remains, in the wood in the 1980s. After meeting Willoughby's descendents through a History Channel documentary, he decided to bring the artifacts to them in Canada.
"The town of Moreuil is very happy and very emotional to present to you on this very fine occasion all of these heroic artifacts," said Brunel, speaking through a translator. "We know your losses were tragic during that battle. Our eternal thanks from the town of Moreuil for the sacrifices of your soldiers."
John Willoughby, the great-nephew of Pte. Willoughby and a Drayton Valley resident, said he was overwhelmed by Brunel's gift. "I didn't expect such an elaborate display," he said. "Jean-Paul's outdone himself."
The last great cavalry charge
Willoughby died during the Battle of Moreuil Wood on March 30, 1918, said Warrant Officer Ted MacLeod, head of the Strathcona regimental museum. German forces were advancing on the rail centre of Amiens, and the Strathconas were one of several cavalry units sent to stop them.
Despite being outnumbered two-to-one, MacLeod said, the brigade commander ordered an all-out assault on the German line. "It was stupid, but he did it."
As most of the Strathconas tried to drive the Germans out of the forest, Lt. G.M. Flowerdew led 70 riders around its north corner to try and ambush them in the open. Willoughby was one of those riders.
Robert Mackay, who was at Friday's ceremony, says his father, Tom, was right behind Flowerdew during that ride. "Unfortunately, when they rounded the corner, the Germans were already ready."
Those 70 riders faced about 100 soldiers armed with rifles and 20 machine guns, MacLeod said. Historians say Flowerdew turned and said to his men, "It's a charge, boys! It's a charge!" before leading them into the fray.
About half the men in that charge would die in the battle or later from their wounds, including Willoughby and Flowerdew. Mackay said his dad received 59 flesh wounds in one leg and too many to count in the other. "His story always was that his legs were saved because the bully beef protected them," he said — his dad had stuffed his saddlebags with cans of corned beef, which may have deflected the bullets.
The charge turned the tide of battle, MacLeod said. Flowerdew's men trounced their opponents, captured their machine guns, and turned them on the German army, halting their advance. It was a key moment in the war, and is known to some today as the last great cavalry charge. Flowerdew received a posthumous Victoria Cross for his actions.
History rediscovered
Brunel found Pte. Willoughby's remains in 1986, John Willoughby said, but didn't know who to return them to until reached by the History Channel. He flew to France in 2008 to meet Brunel first-hand. "I was very emotional," he recalled. "I'd often wondered what had happened to my uncle."
Mackay said he ran into Brunel during a visit to Moreuil on March 30, 2008 — the 90th anniversary of the battle. "I'm absolutely floored by the time, trouble and dedication Jean-Paul has shown in his efforts to commemorate the acts of the Canadian Calvary Brigade," he said. "He's a force of nature."
