Reprinted from The Packet, August 25, 2016
by Lester Green
Tragically drowns after the war
Pte Bartlett Green Royal Newfoundland Regiment. (Photo courtesy of Cordell Green)
Bartlett was born on November 28, 1896 to Caleb and Leah (Follett) in the now abandon community of St. Jones Without. He had several siblings and spent his early years helping his parents pursue the fishery.
Bartlett was well aware of the war raging overseas, with eight young men from the community already enlisted in the Royal Naval. One of these men, Able Seaman Leander Green, was the first to receive the Distinguished Service Medal. This gave the community a strong sense of pride and would have served as a motivator for Bartlett’s enlistment.
On May 23, 1918, he enlisted with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and began his training. On his enlistment papers he listed his age as 21 and address as being St. Jones Without. He listed his father, Caleb, as next of kin.
In completing his allotment papers on June 8, he requested that 60 cents be deducted from his pay and to be made payable to his mother.
He was not assigned overseas with the troops that departed St. John’s to Halifax by train and from there overseas on June 11 but followed onboard the HMS Columbella on July 22. The HMS Columbella departed St. John’s destined for Halifax. It arrived on July 24. The ship joined a convoy of 10 other transport ships and crossed the Atlantic. They arrived at Folkerstone Gates on Aug. 7 and proceeded to Tillbury’s Docks where they disembarked on Aug. 8. The soldiers proceeded from the docks to their destination of Hazeley Down Camps, Winchester to continue their military training.
Extract from Nominal Roll of draft # 56 shows they were ordered to proceed from the 2nd Battalion of the Newfoundland regiment to join the 1st Battalion of Newfoundland Regiment. The troop embarked at Southampton, England, on Nov. 24. They disembarked at Rouen, France on Nov. 25. They continued with their training and proceed to join the Battalion on Jan. 5, 1919.
According to Pte Green, he did not serve in the theatre of war overseas. His statement is based on the fact that the Armistice was signed between Germany and the Allies on Nov.11, 1918 but he was active in the enforcement of this agreement and likely travelled across France and Belgium and may have continued to cross the Rhine, Germany.
Nominal Roll extracts from 1st Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment dated on April 30, 1919 shows that Pte Green left Rouen Camps on April 22 and embarked at Harve, FRance. He then disembarked at Southampton on April 23 and arrived at Hazeley Down Camps, Winchester, later that same day.
He completed his initial medical report for repatriation at Hazeley Down on April 30 and was found to complain of no disability.
On May 3, England celebrated with a Victory Parade through the streets of London. We can assume that Pte Green took part in these festivities with his friends and enjoyed the jubilant celebrations.
About 1000 soldiers gathered at the docks of Liverpool on May 22 and boarded the S.S. Corsican. Onboard were other passengers, including war brides from Scotland and parts of England. The ship pulled away from the docks to a cheering British crowd that had gathered to say farewell to the Newfoundland Regiment and to give thanks for Regiment’s service to King and Country.
The S.S. Corsican arrived in St. John’s on June 1, and both Evening Telegram and St. John’s Daily News recorded this event in June 2nd edition of the papers. The Evening Telegram titled their article “Terra Nova Welcomes Her Gallant Lads” while the St. John’s Daily carried “Corsican Here With Nfld Men”
Demobilization began for Pte Green when he reported to Headquarters on June 1, 1919. On June 4, he completed several forms and was approved for demobilization on June 9.
On June 19, he completed his War Gratuity application at Heart’s Content. Again, he listed his mother, Mrs. Caleb Green has a dependent. He also confirmed that he did not take part in the theatre of war.
Confirmation for his discharge was granted on July 2 and he received his discharge certificate #2349 at St. Jones Without.
He had served 1 year and 41 days in the service of his King and Country.
Pte Green wrote a letter to the paymaster on Dec. 19 requesting that the ribbon be sent to him and he wanted to know if he had received all of his money. On Jan 28, the paymaster confirmed that his War Service Gratuity was paid in full and that he should be hearing from the Record Office concerning his ribbon for the British War Medal.
On Sept 11, 1921, the people of St. Jones Without mourned the loss of Pte Bartlett Green. He was securing a winter’s supply of wood for his family and while returning from the bottom of the St. Jones Arm with his boat loaded with firewood, his boat was capsized by a crosswind. He was tossed in the water and tragically drowned.
His death by drowning was confirmed by Dr. Chisholm and attending clergyman, A. Abbott. He was buried in the Methodist Church cemetery at Ferry’s Cove, St. Jones Without.
His sister, Ethel was pregnant at the time and gave birth to a boy on Nov. 12. In honour of her lost brother, she appropriately named him Bartlett, who had served his country 3 years earlier. Bartlett married Lydia Seward in 1945 and moved to Hickman’s Harbour after leaving St. Jones Without. He passed away on Dec.16, 2007 and is buried there.
Today, Cordell, grandson of Bartlett and Lydia proudly displays his great-great uncle’s oval-shaped, military photograph on his wall in Ontario.
Royal Newfoundland Regiment Military Service Record
Private Bartlett Green #5363
May 23, 1918: Signed his enlistment papers at St. John’s, Nl.
May 25, 1918: Confirmation of General Service Royal Newfoundland Regiment.
June 8, 1918: Allotment of 60 cents deducted, payable to Mrs. Caleb Green.
July 22, 1918: Embarked St. John’s HMS Columbella to Halifax.
Nov. 23, 1918: Ordered from 2nd battalion to 1st battalion. Embarked at Southampton.
Nov. 25, 1918: Disembarked at Rouen, France.
Dec. 29, 1918: Letter from Mrs. Caleb Green to send monthly allotment to Winterton.
Jan. 3, 1918: Response from paymaster to letter from Mrs. Caleb Green.
Jan. 5, 1919: Joined the 1st battalion of Royal Newfoundland Regiment.
April 22, 1919: 1st Battalion left Rouen Camps and embarked at Harve, France.
Apr. 23, 1919: Disembarked at Southampton. Arrived at Hazeley Down Camps, Winchester.
Apr. 30, 1919: Medical Report completed at Hazeley Down Camps.
May 22, 1919: To Newfoundland for demobilization from Liverpool.
June 1, 1919: Reported at headquarters at St. John’s from Liverpool on SS Corsican.
June 04, 1919: Proceeding on demobilization began by completing required forms.
June 9, 1919: Discharge on Demobilization approved.
June 19, 1919: War Service Gratuity application filed at Heart’s Content.
July 2, 1919: Demobilization confirmed and discharge certificate #2349 issued.
July 29, 1919: First payment of War Service Gratuity $70.00 received.
Dec. 19, 1919: Letter written to paymaster concerning his money account.
Jan. 28, 1920: Letter by paymaster respond to letter to request.
Mar. 9, 1920: Received Riband for British War Medal.
Service Time: 1 years and 41 days in service of King and Country.