NOVEMBER 7, 2024 | NORTH WELLINGTON COMMUNITY NEWS | 5
Remembrance November 11
Day
Wellington North solider Lieutenant Samuel Lewis Honey ELLOUISE THOMPSON REPORTER CONN – Samuel Lewis Honey was born Feb. 9, 1894, in Conn, to parents Reverand George Edward Honey and Metta Blaisdell. Honey was the eldest of the couple’s seven children. Honey’s father served in several methodist churches in and around Conn. Much like other clergymen’s families, Honey and his siblings moved at frequent intervals throughout their childhood. In his early life, Honey, despite being a diligent student, found time to indulge in hobbies such as sports, photography and music. Honey attended school in Drayton until 1908 when his father was transferred to Princeton, Oxford County. Honey then attended the Princeton Continuation School, which he graduated from in 1910. After graduation, Honey set his sights on education, teaching at the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford and a school near Drumbo where the previ-
ous teacher had fled due to stubborn and unruly students. However, Honey accepted the challenge and on account of his success was allowed to enter teachers’ college at a young age. Honey enrolled at the Normal School in London in autumn of 1911 and graduated the following June with a public school teaching certificate. The young teacher then went on to teach at the Londesborough school in Western Huron County, before resigning to take his senior matriculation (a certificate awarded to a high school graduate in Canada for successfully completing at a high school a year of additional studies of college grade) at the Walkerton High school. He then went on to complete a course as a cadet instructor before returning to teaching in Whitchurch Township in York County. He then planned to enroll at Victoria College in Toronto to receive his arts degree. However this was brought to an end by his enlistment in 1915 in Walkerton with the 34th
Infantry Battalion. The now young solider left for Devonport England on Oct. 31, 1915, where as an acting sergeant, he was chosen to partake in special courses in physical training and bayonet (a steel blade attached to the muzzle of a rifle used for handto-hand combat) fighting. In August 1915, Honey was officially ranked as a sergeant by the 78th Infantry Battalion, part of the 4th division, and embarked on his journey to France on Aug. 12. On Feb. 22, 1917, Honey was awarded the military medal for gallantry during a raid on German trenches. Part of Honey’s award citation read, “He did most excellent work in clearing an enemy’s communication trench and establishing a block in spite of heavy opposition. He personally covered the withdrawal of his own and another squad under a very heavy grenade fire.” Despite this, Honey remained humble and wrote to his family, “I think the rest of the party deserved recognition as much as I did … what I did,
didn’t amount to much.” The young solider was then awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallant leadership during the battle of Vimy Ridge in April, after his platoon commander had been wounded. Honey assumed command, leading his party forward despite enemy fire, until he was compelled by casualties to dig in. Honey held his position for three days, setting an encouraging example for the rest of his party. After Vimy Ridge Honey was recommended for a commission. In early May he became an instructor at Bramshott pending the opening in July of the officers’ training course at Bexhill. Honey rejoined his unit as a lieutenant on Oct. 14, 1917. In August of 1918 the Canadian Corps was given the task of dislodging the enemy from a maze of defensive positions considered to be almost impenetrable. Through a series of determined attacks, the Canadians pierced the first SEE LIEUTENANT » 8
‘Bravery and grit’ Wellington North solider Lieutenant Samuel Lewis Honey was the honoured recipient of the Military Medal, Distinguished Conduct Medal, and the Victoria Cross, for his bravery and grit on the battlefield. Photo from Wikimedia Commons
K YOU N A H T
VETERANS
11-11-24
We Will Not Forget Those Who Fought For Us
Lest We Forget REMEMBRANCE DAY John Nater, MP PERTH—WELLINGTON
JOHN.NATER@PARL.GC.CA JOHNNATER.CA • 519-338-3589