Dear Bessie

Harry William White was an English immigrant farming near Wadena, Saskatchewan in 1915 when he met Bessie Atkinson, the daughter of an American music teacher and farmer. Bessie was 19 and writing her teacher's qualification exams, Harry was 34.

Bessie refused Harry’s proposal, and though it was difficult for him to maintain his composure, he continued to write her, speaking of their common experiences and friends.

Like many Canadians, Harry White was shocked by the sinking of the passenger ship RMS Lusitania by a German submarine. He decided to enlist along with Bessie's older brother, Frances.

“Remember the Lusitania. Enlist today”, United Kingdom, lithograph on wove paper. Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1983-28-1323.

Harry and Frank enlisted with the 65th Battalion and travelling to Saskatoon, where they trained at the Exhibition Grounds. While training, Harry decides to try proposing to Bessie again.

University of Saskatchewan Archives & Special Collections, MG 289 - Brock Silversides fonds, series 8.4, "Men of the 15th Platoon, 65th Battalion CEF"

After months of training, the 65th Battalion was finally sent to England in the spring of 1916. Like thousands of others, Harry and Frank's journey began by rail to Montreal, where they boarded a troopship bound for Europe.

‘Canadian Pacific Steamship Lines, RMS Empress of Britain & Empress of Ireland”, c1906, postcard.

Upon its arrival in England, the 65th Battalion was broken up for reinforcements to the battalions already on the frontlines. In order to stay together, Harry and Frank chose to accept a transfer to the 72nd Battalion, a Highland unit.

“72nd Bn. Returning to camp after a route march. May 1918.” Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada.

The Canadians spent the winter before the Battle of Vimy Ridge raiding the German lines. On March 1, 1917, the 4th Division, including the 72nd Battalion, staged their largest raid yet. Frances Atkinson was killed during the raid, and his body never recovered.

Ruben Jukes [Juksch],“Scout patrol 20th Battalion. Mericourt Front France 1917.”, watercolour on paper, 1917. Collections CCGW/CCGG 2013.12.06.01

The Battle of Vimy Ridge was begun on April 9, 1917, Easter Monday. The 4th Division was tasked with taking Hill 145 a smaller hill on the left of the main Vimy assault, and struggled throughout the day to make their objective. Harry White died of wounds sustained during the battle for Hill 145 on April 10, 1917. Hill 145 was taken on April 10 and the Pimple, the final Vimy objective, on April 12.

‘’Battle of Vimy Ridge 1917. Canadians advancing – German prisoners carrying out the wounded.” Alfred Soden English Fonds, Collections CCGW/CCGG.