BX April 30, 1915
Two Officially and Two Unofficially Reported to Have Been Wounded During the Fighting Around Ypres
That Private Charles Rowcliffe of the 4th Battalion had been slightly wounded was the information contained in a cablegram received by Mr. and Mrs. John Rowcliffe, 186 West Mill Street, yesterday. The message was a private one from a friend of the family in the old land, and was not confirmed from Ottawa so that the family is anxiously waiting for official corroboration.
The telegram was as follows:
“John Rowcliffe, 186 West Mill St. Charlie slightly wounded” – Smith
Was With Duffs
Though not a member of the Dufferin Rifles, Rowcliffe, who was 21 years of age, joined the first contingent from the regiment and remained with them. Previous to this he had been employed at Massey-Harris. He was a single man.
BX May 4, 1915
Official confirmation of the report received unofficially last week that Private Charles Rowcliffe was also wounded in the recent Langemarck fighting was received from the adjutant-general at Ottawa this morning by his mother, Ms. Sarah Rowcliffe, who resides at 186 West Mill Street. The telegram follows:
Sincerely regret to inform you 11614, Pte. Charles Rowcliffe, 4th Battalion, officially reported wounded. Further particulars when received will be forwarded to you.
Adjutant-General
It will be remembered that Private Rowcliffe’s father, John Rowcliffe, of Holmedale, received a cablegram from a friend in the old country announcing the wounding of his son, but no official notification had been received, nor was the name of his son included in any of the casualty lists published from Ottawa. The arrival of the telegram this morning though confirming the unwelcome news, nevertheless serves to relieve the most anxious fears of his relatives in the city.
Private Rowcliffe was a single man, he being employed at the time of his enlistment at the Massey-Harris works. He was actively interested in football, being especially identified as a committee-man with the Holmedale Tigers last year.