SACRIFICE
-by Ann Robertson

Winnipeg, Canada, July 1914:

"What do you mean you borrowed some long pants to enlist?" Arthur looked at his handsome six foot son who was fifteen years old.

"Dad, England needs us to help beat the Huns and I can send money home to you and Mother every month." Robert Bruce Kitchener Wilson looked earnestly at his two worried parents and at his younger sister who had informed on him.

Robert's mother intervened. "Bobby, you are too young."

Bobby averted his eyes and confessed, "I told them I was eighteen."

"Well, first thing tomorrow morning you will go down there and un-enlist. And don't think you can get out of it. I am going with you." Arthur roared.

Noon, the next day at the house:

Bobby's mother had been sitting motionless on the chesterfield, waiting for him to return with his father. She heard the front door open and footsteps coming down the hall. She hurried to the French doors and opened them to see two pale faces before her.

"What happened?" she asked.

Arthur spoke quietly. "They wouldn't release him. Even though he is underage, the army has his signature and it is binding. But it's all right. I have signed up too so I can go with him and keep an eye on him."

His wife sat down, stunned. "Arthur, what have you done? Tears filled her eyes, but she didn't utter a cry, so typical of an English woman who knew how to keep a stiff upper lip.

"Anyway, dear, don't worry. The whole thing should be over in six months.

The Winnipeg Free Press, 1915:

      Enlisted at 15: Now a Prisoner

      Bugler R.B.K. Wilson, who left Winnipeg with the 90th Rifles August 8, 1914 has been a prisoner in Germany for 16 months. He was 15 years and three months of age when he enlisted on April 23, 1914. He celebrated his 16th birthday in the trenches. The following day he was wounded in the thigh and taken prisoner in the second battle ofYpres.

Bobby's letter from Prisoner of War Camp, Germany

I was wounded in the hip and taken prisoner on April 16, in the battle of
Langamarck. I am not alone. Sargt. Alldritt is with us. I am working
eight hours a day in the woods, cutting down trees, for which we get
one pint of milk extra. I was in bad condition when captured.

The Winnipeg Free Press, 1917:

      A.R. Wilson, 366 Spence Street, an imperial veteran, who saw service in India and was thrice wounded during the present war, has been appointed assistant secretary to Albert Pearce, of the Returned Soldiers" Manitoba Commission. Mr. Wilson left with the Lord Strathcona's Horse (R.C.) on August 23, 1914 and returned to Canada in June, 1916. His son, Pte. R.B.K. Wilson, a bugler with the Eighth battalion, was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Festubert on April 26, 1915, three days after his sixteenth birthday. He was probably the youngest soldier who took part in the actual fighting with the first Canadian contingent. He has been transferred from one German prison camp to another, and a letter recently received showed that the young fellow was in good spirits.
      In a previous letter he intimated in a very curious way that he had failed in an attempt to escape. He stated that the "Kratchenko" stunt had not been successful. He has been a prisoner of war almost three years and efforts are being made to secure his repatriationor internment in a neutral country.

Munster, Germany in late 1917:

Bobby dragged himself forward to report for forced labour. Since being gassed in the trenches, he coughed continuously. Many of his comrades had perished from fatigue, starvation and loss of hope. he knew he couldn't last much longer working outside in the freezing cold. With desperation, Bobby deliberately dumped boiling water on his foot. This act saved his life, as he was immediately placed in sick bay from whence he was liberated by the allies at the end of the war.

Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Manitoba, 1918:

Bobby's parents sat at a desk opposite the doctor.

The doctor appeared stern. "Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, as you know Bob weighed 126 pounds and had tuberculosis when he was released. Like many other soldiers, he experienced gas inhalation in the trenches and poor nutrition. And although youth is on his side, I'm afraid the news is not good. His lungs are shot. It would be a miracle if he lasted another five years. The doctor closed their son's medical file and offered soothing words of sympathy, which neither of the parents could take in.

Winnipeg, 1918

The funeral casket was decked in a spray of summer flowers as Bobby's brother, cousins and his comrades at arms carefully carried the casket to the grave side. As an army bugler played taps, the minister intoned the usual words and the coffin was lowered into the ground. Bobby's pregnant wife stood quietly next to her mother-in-law, each of them holding the other's hands. As for Arthur, he looked disoriented and the smell of liquor was on his breath.

Vancouver, Canada, 1993

Donal Stuart Wilson, son of Jean and Robert Wilson, now deceased, has died at the age of 70 years. Never married, Don is survived by his Aunt Edna (Wilson), his Aunt Maude Petursson (Wilson) and cousins, Delma Swanson, Roggi and Carla Petursson, Ann Robertson (Wilson), Judith Standing (Wilson), Lynn Davidson (Wilson) and his nieces and nephews. A strong pacifist, Don has left a large portion of his estate to Amnesty International. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Amnesty International.