Submitted by Gerry Tilmans,
First VP, Public Relations Officer
Our legion is exploring ways to increase awareness about the legion and we are considering offering things such as running theatrical release movies as a matinee or evening gathering. If you know of someone who can lead Tai Chi classes please reach out to us as we might like to run these weekly. Our Open House may happen after Remembrance Day.
Mark your calendar for Saturday October 18 for the Spaghetti Dinner and silent auction. The bar opens at 5 pm, dinner at 6, after which the silent auction starts. Only 70 tickets are available for this.
One of our Veterans stories I’d like to talk about is Charles James Barrow, father of Dave Barrow of Lion’s Head. Private Barrow was part of 7CRT, that is the 7th Battalion Canadian Railway Troops. He enlisted February 11 1917 and returned home April 14 1919.
Dave Barrow provided the following insight into his father’s experience in the CRT: “The CRT was responsible for constructing regular gauge and narrow gauge railway lines for the supply of munitions, supplies and troops. CRT personnel were unarmed and did not receive military training other than basic drill, courtesies and protocols. Most of the railway activities occurred well back of the firing line, however German air bombing and shelling occurred frequently anytime during the day or night and was the cause of most injuries and deaths. Many men suffered from “ shell shock”. At one point the 7 CRT came within 2 miles of the firing line according to Private Barrow’s war diary. There was a spaghetti like maze of railway lines all over the allied occupied area in France. He moved from camp to camp as many as 25 times. Maintenance on open lines from the shelling was a daily task. Private Barrow was not seriously injured but came home with shrapnel in his shins. He was also quarantined for awhile with the mumps. He could not be outside during fireworks displays held annually on the Detroit River during the July 1-4 Freedom Festival, likely from shell shock experienced during the war.”
Photo: private Charles James Barrow. 
Photo: Workers on the CRT.
Legion 202 is located at 6 Hellyer Road, Lions Head just north of Ferndale on Highway 6. Reach us at branch202pro@gmail.com
