Chapter XLIV: The Presbyterian College and the Great War

Ministers of the Gospel are the avowed ambassadors of the Prince of Peace; and it is so constantly their task to allay the passions of the human heart and to preach universal love, particularly in their appeals for foreign missions, that many people felt that their ideal was at variance with the spirit of war and were prepared to find students for the ministry offering for other forms of patriotic service than fighting in the line. The extraordinary response of theological colleges and of sons of the manse all over the Empire showed how mistaken this idea had been. The message of the Cross and the call to self-sacrifice had quite the opposite effect. Young men who were going to be preachers experienced a new sense of responsibility; they knew that they could not consistently call others to a life of service and suffering, if they were not prepared themselves to lead the way. This is the attitude that prevailed among the students at Pine Hill, which is the oldest Presbyterian Theological College in Canada, and which will celebrate in 1920 its centenary.

The intensity of this conviction surprised every one on the parade ground of the South End Rink, Halifax, when Col. W. E. Thompson organized the O.T.C. of Dalhousie University. The large majority of the students in residence at Pine Hill were there. The Divinity classes open late, and thus many had been in the city only a few days when this call came in the beginning of November, 1914. Colonel Thompson has on several public occasions paid a fine tribute to these theological men; and they in return frankly acknowledge how much they were moved by the frank and earnest appeal of the Colonel himself.

The O.T.C. was but a voluntary and preliminary phase of the grave decision; but it had a most stimulating effect, and nearly all the students who joined its ranks found themselves ultimately in active service. Right on the heels of the O.T.C. came the formation of a small Cycle Corps Unit, to which three from Pine Hill were admitted, the first to enlist for Overseas. This Unit was almost entirely made up of students, and its advent in Halifax was celebrated by a dinner given in the residence at Pine Hill. The dining hall was crowded. Colonel Thompson and Colonel Grant, A.D.M.S., spoke; the impression made was very deep; and probably at that hour a large number made up their minds to join the colors. The impression was intensified by the dramatic announcement in the course of the dinner of the splendid sea victory at Falkland Islands, the news of which had just come over the wire.

Before the year was out there came an urgent appeal for an Ambulance Corps, and fifteen responded. Few of them stayed long in the Army Medical Corps after they got across, but asked for transfers to fighting units, in which they played their part nobly, and where some of them laid down their lives.

Early in 1915 the 6th Mounted Rifles were formed and eight more joined, going to England in July. In the summer four others enlisted in the No. 7 Overseas Hospital (The Dalhousie) Unit; and in the winter, 1915–16, five enlisted in the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade and five in the artillery. By the second anniversary of the War the great bulk of the Divinity students had entered the army, and most of these were already Overseas.

Below is given a list of the names and of the Units to which they were eventually attached, and henceforward their history becomes identified with their Units and is told elsewhere. There were forty-eight in all, including the Principal and Professor H. A. Kent, who were ultimately on the strength of the Chaplain Service. Two received the Military Cross and one the Military Medal; seven paid the supreme sacrifice; and many were wounded or gassed. All but seven of those who survived continued their studies for the ministry on their return.

Following is the roll of honor:

John Ross, a Scotch lad, who, in the beginning of the War, joined
the fleet, and went down with the _Indefatigable_ in the Battle of
Jutland.

Arthur P. MacIvor, from Cape Breton, joined the C.M.R., and was
killed at Mount Sorel, on June 2, 1916.

Earl Lockerby, from P.E.I., in the 42nd R.H.C. Killed at
Courcellette, September, 1916.

Ralph B. Clarke, B.A., from New Brunswick, joined the 26th, and was
killed at Courcellette, on September 17, 1916.

Stephen Dick, from New Brunswick, joined C.F.A., and survived until
the final offensive in 1918.

Lieut. Harold A. Smith, B.A., M.C., from Cape Breton; served in 5th
C.M.R.; wounded first on the Somme, and killed in May, 1918.

Cyril Hyde, Lieutenant in the Royal Air Service; killed over the
German lines.

PINE HILL STUDENTS WHO SERVED OVERSEAS.

(Those marked with an asterisk were killed.)

FACULTY.

Capt. Principal C. Mackinnon, D.D., LL.D. Chaplain Service, O.M.P.C.
Capt. H. A. Kent, D.D. Chaplain Service, O.M.P.C.

STUDENTS FOR THE MINISTRY.

Lieut. B. C. Salter, B.A. 42nd R.H.C.
Lieut. D. A. Guildford, M.A. C.D.A.
*Earl Lockerby 42nd R.H.C.
*Lieut. R. B. Clarke, B.A. 26th Can. Infantry.
L. B. Campbell, B.A. 3rd Can. Field Ambulance.
Lieut. J. K. Murchison, B.A. R.F.A.
R. A. Patterson, B.A. C.A.M.C.
G. D. MacLeod, B.A. C.H.A.
D. J. Morrison. C.A.M.C.
P. B. Fox, B.A. C.A.M.G.C.
Capt. A. D. Archibald, B.A., M.C. 85th N.S. Highlanders.
Lieut. J. G. Paterson, B.A. R.F.A.
*Lieut. Cyril Hyde R.A.F.
Neil Macdonald 85th N.S. Highlanders.
Capt. Geo. Murray, M.C. 85th N.S. Highlanders.
Victor B. Walls C.A.M.C.
J. S. Nickerson, B.A. C.A.M.C.
Colin U. McNiven 25th Can. Infantry.
*J. S. Ross H.M.S. _Indefatigable_.
*A. P. McIvor, B.A. 5th C.M.R.
*Lieut. H. A. Smith, B.A., M.C. 5th C.M.R.
Lieut. McI. McLeod 5th C.M.R.
Norman A. MacKenzie 85th N.S. Highlanders.
D. P. MacLeod 4th C.M.R.
W. J. V. Tweedie 4th C.M.R.
Lieut. John Craigie B.E.F.
Capt. R. E. G. Roome R.F.A.
Cadet P. C. Lewis R.A.F.
Wm. Matheson 85th N.S. Highlanders.
J. D. MacLeod 13th R.H.C.
H. H. Blanchard, B.A., M.M. 85th N.S. Highlanders.
R. H. Scott 85th N.S. Highlanders.
Lieut. E. S. Smith, M.A. R.A.F.
Lieut. McLaren Keswick 25th Can. Infantry.
Neil M. Rattee, B.A. 7th Overseas Hospital.
John A. Nicholson, B.A. C.F.A.
Lieut. T. H. Whelpley 87th Can. Inf. G.G.
*Stephen J. Dick C.F.A.
A. M. Gillis 10th Siege Battery.
Lieut. A. E. Kerr R.A.F.
John Mackay 10th Can. Siege Battery.
A. B. Simpson 19th C.F.A.
D. F. Marshall, B.A. 15th R.H.C.
F. Yates 10th Can. Infantry.
J. S. Bonnell, B.A. 8th Siege Battery.