DAVID EDWIN JOSEPH LITTLE
REGIMENTAL NUMBER 3034919
David Edwin Joseph Little
David Edwin Joseph Little was born July 13, 1890, the son of Nathaniel David Little and Esther McAmmond. Nathaniel and Esther married December 30, 1884 at Glenila, Maple Island.
Nathaniel David Little was born July 14, 1860 near Ottawa, Ontario and died July 16, 1943 in Parry Sound.
Nathaniel and Esther had 10 children. The 3rd oldest was David Edwin Joseph Little. born July 13, 1890 (and died Dec. 29, 1973.) David married Ellen Knowles on July 27, 1927.
David Little is identified as having enlisted April 18,1918 in Toronto. However, his medical examination occurred October 23, 1917 in Parry Sound. At the time of his enlistment, he identified his next of kin as his mother, Essie Little of Hurdville – which was where David identified he was living.
This picture was likely taken in December 1918 or very early 1919
When the war ended, Dave was at one point made a driver for senior staff officers and important civilians.
David embarked from Cannada on June 3,1918 and arrived in England on June 21, 1918. Where he was TOS (Taken on Strength) with the 12th Reserve Battalion at Whitley.
He was transferred to the 15th Battalion in France on October 18, 1918.
David stayed in France until June 4,1919 when he returned to England.
The 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada), CEF was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the Great War. The 15th Battalion was authorized on 1 September 1914, embarked for Britain on 26 September 1914 and arrived in France on 15 February 1915. The battalion fought as part of the 3rd Canadian Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders throughout the war. The battalion was disbanded on 30 August 1920.
David joined the 15th Battalion in Fance just after the battle of the Canal du Nord, and would have been with the Battalion during what is termed the Pursuit to Mons.
David sailed to Canada July 2,1919 and arrived July 19.1919.
In the memorial project for the 15th Battalion it is identified that:
“The battle honour Pursuit to Mons was awarded to the 15th Battalion for operations conducted 10 October to 11 November 1918 during the final phase of the war. During this period of time the Canadian Corps engaged the retreating Germans in a series of battles in France and that ended at Mons in Belgium where they pushed the Germans out of the town on 10-11 November.
During this phase of the war the 15th Bn moved forward to Vitry, France on 11 October. On the 12th they cleared Arieux suffering 3 killed and 15 wounded. On 20 October the unit fought their final action near Wallers Station France suffering their final casualties of the Great war – 4 killed and 10 wounded. The unit was in Somain, France when the war ended.”
The battalion crossed the Rhine in December 1918 and was garrisoned at Engelskirchen Germany as part of the Occupation Force holding the Cologne bridgehead until 5 Jan 1919 when it departed for Bas Oha, Belgium
David left the 15th on January 6, 1919 and joined the 2nd Canadian Infantry Works Coy. In May 1919 he joined the 1st Canadian Works Coy.
In his discharge papers, David is identified as having served in the Infantry Works Department.
A postcard kept by David Little for his sister
"This is France after the war. It is all like this. To my sister, from Dave"
Entitled "Staff car at entrance to Bn Headquarters Schloss Ehreshoven, 1919" The driver is Dave Little
Above and below, Dave Little’s Unit in 1918 before shipping overseas. Dave Little circled.
