Reprinted from The Packet, July 21, 2016
by Lester Green
After peace, there was still work to do
Arthur Jacobs was born to William Henry and Mary Magdelina (Avery) Jacobs of House Cove. His exact birth date is unknown. In the 1921 census his birth date was listed as May, 1899, and he listed the year 1899 at his enlistment.
Arthur registered in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment on May 11, 1918. He listed his trade as lumberman, unlike most other young men from the region, who listed the fishery. He received basic military training at St. John’s over the next two months.
On June 8, he requested an allotment of 55 cents per diem be deducted from his pay and that this amount be sent to his mother, Mrs. William (Maggie) Jacobs of Little Heart’s Ease, Southwest Arm. This was to avoid any confusion with paying Mrs. William (Hannah) Jacob’s of Little Heart’s Ease, who also had a son, Levi, enlisted with the Regiment.
On July 22, he left St. John’s has part of the final draft, number 56, aboard the troopship HMS Columbella and arrived at Halifax on July 24. They joined a convoy of 10 ships and crossed the Atlantic carrying supplies and re-enforcements to the troops.
He disembarked at Tilbury Docks, Essex, England on Aug. 8. His troop travelled from Tilbury to Winchester, where he continued his military training at Hazeley Down Camps and awaited orders.
He was transferred from the 2nd Battalion to the 1st battalion of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and attached to the British Expeditionary Forces on Nov. 23, 1918. He boarded a ship at Southampton and was sent to Rouen, France. He arrived with his battalion on Nov. 28 and joined the 1st Battalion.
The Regiment was assigned the duty of marching across France and Belgium to enforce the Armistice Agreement signed on Nov. 11, 1918. This involved the unconditional surrender of all weapons and securing the captivity of any German soldiers that were located during this time period.
During these travel, Pte Jacobs witnessed many of the horrors that were committed during the war. The destruction of building and stories of atrocities committed against people must have been horrific to a person who came from a small outport in Newfoundland.
These memories must have haunted him for his entire life. However, like most other soldiers, he seldom spoke of his experience overseas.
On Apr 22, the Battalion was ordered to leave Rouen and proceed to the port of Le Harve, where they embarked for Winchester, England. They arrived at the port of Southampton and proceeded to Hazeley Down Camp on April 23.
On May 22, Private Jacobs marched aboard the S.S. Corsican, along with about 1,000 soldiers, after the rest of the passengers and crew had boarded. Among the passengers were a number of Scottish war brides, who had married Newfoundland soldiers. They departed Liverpool, heading home to the port of St. John’s, arriving there on June 1, 1919.
When he applied for his discharge from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment on June 9, Private Jacobs received a clothing allowance of $60 and a travelling warrant to Little Heart’s Ease.
His approval for demobilization was granted on June 23 and confirmation of his discharge was signed on July 7. On July 8, he received a letter from the Payment and Record, Militia Department for the first payment of $70 due to him for War Service Gratuity.
Private Jacobs had served his country for a total of 423 days and was now free to go back to his family at Little Heart’s Ease.
On Sept. 28, 1919, he completed and returned to the Department of Miltia a receipt for Army Book 64 that he had received.
On Oct 15, 1921 Private Arthur Jacobs received the British War Medal for his service. He signed and returned his acknowledgement of receiving the medal on Nov. 9, 1921.
He returned to House Cove and married Angelina, daughter of William and Elizabeth Hiscock of Hodge’s Cove, on April 29, 1925. They did not have any biological children but Private Arthur Jacobs and his wife raised their nephew, William Henry Jacobs.
Arthur Jacobs died on Nov. 25, 1959 and was buried at the Old United Church Cemetery, Little Heart’s Ease.
RNR service record for # 4996 Pte. Jacobs
May 11, 1918: Enlisted at St. John’s, Nl.
June 8, 1918: Allotment of 55 cents taken per diem and payable to Mrs. William (Maggie) Jacobs.
July 22, 1918: Embarked for Halifax, NS aboard HMS Columbella.
Nov. 23, 1918: Embarked Southampton to join 1st Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment.
Nov. 28, 1918: Disembarked at Rouen, France.
Jan 5, 1918: Joined 1st Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment, British Expeditionary Force.
Mar 3, 1919: Admitted to General Hospital at Rouen, France.
Mar 24, 1919: Discharged to duty from hospital and re-joined Battalion.
Apr. 22, 1919: Transferred from Rouen Camps and embarked at Le Harve, France.
Apr. 23, 1919: Disembarked Southampton and arrived at Hazeley Camp, Winchester.
May 1, 1919: Medical Report completed for eventual demoblization.
May 22, 1919: Embarked aboard the S.S. Corsican and sailed from Liverpool to St. John’s.
June 1, 1919: Arrived Newfoundland.
June 5, 1919: Completed several forms and documents for approval of demobilization.
July 7, 1919: Received discharge papers.
July 7, 1919: Proceeding of Discharge (Image 21)
July 8, 1919: Approved for payment of $70.00 War Gratuity.
July 30, 1919: Demobilization confirmed.
Sept 28, 1920: Receipt of Army Book 64.
Oct 15, 1921: Received the British War Medal.
Total Service 1 Year and 58 days.