BX June 5, 1915
George E. Prouse, 262 Darling Street, has received a card from his son, Pte. Arthur Prouse stating that he was wounded, and that he was writing a letter in which he would give further particulars. No other details were given on the card.
Private Arthur Prouse was employed by the Whitaker Baking Company. He was a member of the Dufferin Rifles bugle band, and left with the 25th Brant Dragoons, afterwards transferring to the 8th Battalion.
BX June 9, 1915
Is Wounded in the Arm – Further Word Received From Pte. Arthur Prouse, Now in Hospital in England
Pte. Arthur Prouse, one of the Brantford volunteers with the first contingent in France, has written to his mother in this city, telling her of his condition. He has received a shrapnel wound in the arm, and the injury has completely shattered his nerves, necessitating his removal to the hospital. He tells briefly of his experiences, and is hopeful that the entrance of Italy into the war may hasten its end. The letter is as follows:
Dearest Mother,
Have arrived safe at the hospital, with a nervous breakdown. A piece of shrapnel wounded my arm. Otherwise I feel all right and am getting along very nicely. We certainly have nice nurses and doctors here, and what makes it better they are Canadians. I have been in the trenches for three days and I certainly have seen some awful sights, but I guess the Germans have seen just as bad, if not worse. I lost a couple of chums along side of me by a big smoke box dropping alongside them in the trench, and nothing was left. The night before our artillery certainly did play havoc with the Germans.
Well, mother, I guess this is all I have to say for this time, hoping there will be a big change in the war; also that it won’t last much longer, as Italy has gone into it. I guess I will now close, hoping this will find you all well,
Your loving son,
Arthur
BX February 9, 1916
To Return to Canada
Word was received in the city yesterday by Mrs. Prouse, 262 Darling Street, that her son, Pte. Arthur Prouse, who has been ill, was returning to Canada, and had sailed from England, January 28. Pte. Prouse left Brantford with the 25th Dragoons, who left for Toronto Jan. 18, 1915, and was transferred to the Canadian Mounted Rifles who left that city for overseas Feb. 6, 1915.
BX February 21, 1916
Hearty Welcome Given Pte. Prouse on Return Home – Hero of Festubert Was Warmly Welcomed Back Home Here – Big Attendance
Pte. Arthur Prouse of the 11th Battalion, wounded at Festubert, and twice in the hospital, once of two months, and the second time for six weeks, returned to his home in this city on Saturday evening, and was given a rousing reception. After being absent for thirteen months in all, Pte. Prouse returned to his home city and was proud of the reception given to him.
He was due in the city on the 9.20 T.H. and B. train on Saturday evening, and the Soldiers’ Aid Committee, the bugle band of the 125th, and many soldiers were present at that time, together with some hundreds of citizens. When the train did arrive a parade was formed, the returned here being placed in an automobile, together with his mother and sister, and the band, soldiers and citizens followed.
On the Market Square the reception was continued. Ald. Dowling, chairman of the Soldiers’ Aid Committee, was in charge and called on Mayor J.W. Bowl by, who officially welcomed the hero to his native city.
Joseph H. Hamm, M.P.P., also extended a greeting. He emphasized the fact that Pte. Prouse had done his duty. He had “done his little bit” and he should not be called on again to enlist. The civilians who had not yet responded should fill the vacancies, and not expect that a man who had served and been wounded would again go to the front. He referred to the pride that Pte. Prouse would have in his uniform in days to come. He felt sure that on many occasions Pte. Prouse would bring out his uniform, and proudly wear it to the meetings of the Grand Army of Canada, for it was surely that such an army would be formed on similar lines to that of the United States. When the returned soldiers, at the close of the war, paraded in full strength, he was sure that the civilians would feel ashamed that they had not answered the call. Praise, he felt, should also be given to Pte. Prouse’s mother and sister, for though Pte. Prouse had made the sacrifice and enlisted, his mother and sister had felt the loss, had made the greater sacrifice.
Hon. Lt.-Col. W.F. Cockshutt also spoke briefly, paying similar tributes to the returned hero, who had been wounded at Festubert, where his son, Lieut. Ashton Cockshutt, had also been wounded. It was a gallant fight, but the Canadians had saved the defence, though at a great price, over ten thousand men having been placed on the casualty list about this time.
Emphasis was laid by all the speakers on the fact that the returned men would be given every assistance by the Soldiers’ Aid Committee, which had been formed to meet their needs, and whatever could be done by them would be done. “Yes, a dollar and a half a day,” called someone in the crowd, as one of the speakers emphasized this point.
The audience was composed largely of soldiers and they responded strongly to the various speakers, especially when it was remarked that Pte. Prouse had done his bit, and should not be called on again. Rousing cheers were given the returned hero and his people, and the home-coming celebration closed with the singing of the National Anthem.
