FAMILY FORESTS
A range of Canadian Scottish including James Rodgers (far right)
John Graves recounts Jim Rodgers war stories
German prisoners were being marched to the rear lines past CDN. Soldiers at the roadside where Jim was standing. All of a sudden a German Prisoner shouted “Jimmy, hi Jimmy! It’s me Fritz.” Jim and Fritz has worked together on the railway in I think Northern BC. Small world hey?
4 Jim was sent out to get a German who had been shooting at the Canadians from the woods. As Jim came around a rather large tree he was met by the German soldier. They surprised each other and hesitated realizing they could either both die there and then or return to their lines and live another day.
Upon his return to the boys, he was asked if he had found the German to which he replied “No I didn’t see a soul”.
We all know how that decision turned out as we are all living proof of that decision thankfully.
Jim’s unit had been in a firefight with the Germans and there were massive casualties. The fighting stopped and the Germans moved forward along the roadway.
Jim lay in a side-covered ditch area and was I think wounded but He could not escape so he lay there pretending to be dead while the Germans moved through the area.
Dave Rodgers recounts a Jim Rodgers war story
As told one night James and a buddy got "hamscrewtrified" on a magnum of champagne. They ended up running up and down the German trenches tossing hand grenades. They quickly passed out. Both sides thought it to be a full attack and started shooting.
In the end, the Canadians won the day. James and his friend were identified as the instigators of the action and it was decided they weren't to be punished or praised. So everyone forgot the whole thing.
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Three Canadian soldiers posing in a captured German dugout. At first Black Canadians were initially rejected. Only after pressure did individual units begin sending black Canadian soldiers into battle alongside their white compatriots. U.S. Army started troop desegregation during the Korean War.
September 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele these soldiers are preparing for the Maple Leaf Concert Party, comedic revues for front-line troops. As with military entertainment on both sides of the Great War, men in drag was a must.
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James Rodgers WW1 Records
Excerpts: 100 Years of Valour: A Centennial Celebration of
THE CANADIAN SCOTTISH REGIMENT (Princess Mary's) From the producers of THE PIPES OF WAR film series
which did not go into production.
It was told that Jim was sketched by the artist Eric Kennington and am told he made his way into the final work of art.
The Conquerors by Eric Kennington; originally titled The Victims it was renamed after objections from the battalion's commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Cy Peck.
900 pages on the history of the 16th Battalion
Near the end of the war,
the Morrisons welcome James home.
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The Canadian Scottish saw action throughout the
Second World War, Korea, Yugoslavia, the Middle East and Afghanistan.
