Reprinted from The Packet, September 1, 2016
by Lester Green
First love, interrupted by the Great War
Abel was born on June 28, 1891 to James Thomas and Susanna (Cooper) Churchill.
He was raised, along with the rest of his family members, at Ivany’s Cove, the sixth child of seven siblings. In his early years of schooling, he would walk from Ivany’s Cove to Hillview..
In 1914, he was first introduced to Alice Rose Pelley, who he affectionately called Rose. She was a school teacher that taught at the Methodist School between 1914-1916. They began courting for a short period of time but their relationship was interrupted by the raging war in Europe.
In May, 1918, Abel put his courtship on hold and travelled to St. John’s. He filed his papers with the recruiting officer for the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and enlisted on May 24. He listed his father, Thomas Churchill, as his next of kin. On June 15, he requested that 60 cents per diem be removed from his pay and made payable to his father.
Sometime before June 11, Abel along with seven other soldiers from the Southwest Arm region, had a group photograph taken at Holloway Studios on Water Street. Three of the individuals in the photo, Pte Levi Jacobs, Pte Daniel Shaw and Pte Eldred Churchill, departed for Halifax by train on June 11 and continued overseas a short time later.
Private Churchill, along with the remaining 4 individuals, departed aboard the HMS Columbella for Halifax on July 22. The ship joined a convoy of 10 ships and departed for Halifax for overseas on July 27. The ship arrived at Tillbury Docks, Folkerstone on Aug. 8 and continued to Hazeley Down’s Camp, Winchester arriving there the next day.
For the next three months his troop continued training and awaited orders. On Nov. 23, he was ordered to travel with his troop to Southampton where he embarked for the 1st Battalion Newfoundland Regiment under the command of the British Expeditionary Forces. On Nov. 25, he disembarked at Rouen, France and joined the Regiment.
He joined the 1st Battalion in the field on Jan. 25, 1919. Their orders were to secure the terms of Armistice signed between the Allies and Germany. The German’s were required to surrender weapons, positions and to take prisoners. He marched across France, Belgium and the Rhine, Germany, to complete their duty.
After completing this journey all soldiers returned to the Rouen camps. On April, 22, 1919 he embarked at Rouen, France and returned to Hazeley Down Camps, Winchester a day later.
On May 1, a Medical Report was completed and signed at Hazeley Down Camps and the process began for his eventual repatriation in Newfoundland.
Before leaving England, he participated in the Triumphal Victory March of Dominion Troops through the streets of London where soldiers from various parts of the British Dominion celebrated their victory over Germany.
On May 22, he gathered on the docks of Liverpool and watched as civilians boarded the SS Corsican. Then the troops were ordered to board and, to cheering British crowds on the dockside, the ship pulled away from the pier. The boys were finally going home.
Onboard, several of his friends from the Random gathered. They celebrated their victory and were overjoyed with the thoughts of going home. During their crossing, they shared their stories and looked forward to docking at St. John’s.
Historical weather reports for June 1 recorded a rainy, foggy day at St. John’s but this did not dampen the spirit of the crowd that had gathered at the waterfront. The SS Corsican steamed into the harbour and pulled up to Shea and Co. pier to roaring crowds on the docks.
The Evening Telegram ran the headline: “Terra Nova Welcomes Her Gallant Lads” while the St. John’s Daily recorded “Corsican Here With Nfld. Men”. The soldiers disembarked and marched to the Government House where the Regimental colors were presented.
His demobilization process began on June 6 and was approved by June 21. Confirmation of his discharge was received at Random in a letter dated July 5.
His service to King and Country spanned a total of 1 year and 43 days.
After the war he worked in the lumber woods at both Millertown and at the A.N.D. company in Grand Falls. He then moved to Corner Brook and started to work with Bowater’s paper mill during its initial start-up.
It was during his early years at Corner Brook that he rekindled his relationship with his first love, Rose. They courted for a short period of time but this time he asked her to marry him.
They were married at Gower Street Parish in St. John’s in August 1927. They were not blessed with children but raised his niece, Susannah, daughter of Henry Meadus and Elizabeth Jane, who was his sister.
After his retirement from Bowater’s in 1946, they moved to Shoal Harbour. Abel passed away on April 4, 1987 and he is buried next to his wife at St. Michael’s and All Saint Cemetery at Hillview.
Royal Newfoundland Regiment Military Service Record
Private Abel Churchill #5411
May 24, 1918: Signed attestation papers at St. John’s, Nl.
June 15, 1918: Allotment of 60 cents deducted and payable to his father, Thomas Churchill.
July 22, 1918: Embarked St. John’s aboard SS Columbella to Halifax, NS.
Nov. 23, 1918: Embarked for British Expeditionary Forces at Southampton.
Nov. 25, 1918: Disembarked at Rouen, France.
January 5, 1919: Joined the 1st battalion in the field
April 22, 1919: Transferred from Rouen Camps and embarked at Le Harve, France for Southampton.
April 23, 1919: Arrived at Winchester, England.
May 1, 1919: Medical report completed at Hazeley Down Camps.
May 22, 1919: Left Liverpool, England bound to Newfoundland for demobilization.
June 1, 1919: Arrived Newfoundland aboard the SS Corsican and reported at Headquarters, St. John’s.
June 5, 1919: Descriptive return of a soldier completed
June 6, 1919: Proceedings for demobilization of Abel Churchill began.
June 6, 1919: Medical History filed.
June 7, 1919: Met with Civil Re-establishment Committee.
June 7, 1919: War Service Gratuity application filed.
June 21, 1919: Demobilization approved by OC Discharge officer.
July 5, 1919: Received discharge certificate #2615 at Random, Nl.
July 16, 1919: Received $70.00 War service Gratuity.
October 13, 1919: Letter to A.E. Hickman concerning Riband ribbon.
Total Service: 1 year and 43 days