Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Military Service

Additional Information

Excerpt from 'Le Livre D'or (The Golden Book) of the Canadian Contingents in South Africa by Gaston P. Labat. "From the Gazette, January 9th, 1901. When the booming of guns announced to those who had anxiously watched for some sign of the transport since Monday that the Roslyn Castle was sighted, the quarantine steamer and a tug raced down the harbour to meet her. On board, the tug was a large party of ladies, some of whom were the wives of returning officers. The moon was just rising, as the Roslyn Castle came within sight, and by its faint light the party on board the tug were enabled to see a flag flying at half-mast from the transport's after peak. Long before the tug came within hailing distance of the steamer the doctor's boat had reached it, and turned back to order the captain of the tug to put back to shore. The ladies on board piteously begged the doctor to tell them who was dead before they started back. On the doctor's boat was the Reverend Father Sinnett, who gently broke the news to Mrs. Sutton, one of the ladies who made up the light hearted party aboard the tug, that her husband Captain Sutton, had died two days before the transport reached port.' 'She had only been married eight years when her husband answered his country's call to arms, and left her for South Africa.'

Commemorated on Page 40 of the South African War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.