He joined the Victoria Rifles of Canada in 1905 and received an officer's commission in 1914. Soon after, he responded to the outbreak of World War I by resigning his commission to join the Royal Montreal Regiment as a company sergeant-major. He became a commissioned officer again through a series of promotions.
For sound ability in handling his battalion and great gallantry in the attack on the Canal du Nord on 27th September, 1918. He successfully gained all his objectives and captured and cleared up the village of Sains-les-Marqulon, and, though wounded, refused to be evacuated until his colonel, arriving opportunely from leave as the barrage started, arrived on the scene and relieved him. He had complete grasp of the situation at all times.[4]
He married Marjorie Trenholme (3 November 1891 – 1 September 1979) on 23 August 1915. The couple raised six children: Marjorie (1918–1988), Lyall (1920–1942), Helen (1922–2014), Ann (1928–1997), Isabel (1930–1997), and John (1930–1993). He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and took command of the Royal Montreal Regiment until his retirement on 31 December 1929. As a civilian, he became managing director of Elmhurst Dairy. In January 1931 he became an alderman in Westmount.[5]
Resting place (white headstone) of C.B. and Marjorie at Knowlton Cemetery, 2 October 1991
Sources
Stacey, Colonel C. P. (1955). Six Years of War: The Army in Canada, Britain and the Pacific. Ottawa: Queen's Printer and Controller of Stationery.
Vance, Jonathan F. (1997). Objects of Concern: Canadian Prisoners of War Through the Twentieth Century. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.
The Shawinigan Standard, 23 November 1938, Page 1.
