In the face of death and war, many stories from the front lines still inspire today.
Samuel Lewis Honey’s daring feat earned him the Victoria Cross medal, one of only two given to Wellington County residents.
The Victoria Cross medal was the highest award one could receive under the British armed forces. It was given to those who performed a brave or daring act in the presence of the enemy.
Only 73 of the hundreds of thousands of Canadian soldiers received the medal in the First World War.
Honey never retuned from the war, but his story is still told.
This year during Doors Open Wellington North, Honey was featured at Knox Presbyterian Church in Conn along with many other local connections to the First and Second World Wars.
Janet de Groot and Beverly Johnston were instrumental in collecting and displaying his information during the event.
Honey was born on Feb. 9, 1884 in Conn to Reverend George Edward and Metta Honey. The family moved to the Listowel area in 1896.
Honey became a teacher and was working toward a bachelors degree. He had planned to attend the University of Toronto to obtain his Bachelors of Pedagogy, but then the Great War broke out in the summer of 1914.
Honey abandoned his plans and enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Walkerton on Jan. 22, 1915 and was attached to the 34th Infantry Battalion.
While many men enlisted during the first few month of the war, it is interesting to consider what exactly sparked Honey’s desire to enlist. Just days prior, the first air raid on England took place by two German Zeppelins, killing four and injuring 16. Would this News have reached Honey’s ears? Or maybe he was inspired, like many others, by patriotism?
During basic training, Honey was promoted to sergeant due to his previous experience as a cadet instructor. After landing in Devonport, England on Oct. 31, 1915, Honey took special courses in physical training and bayonet fighting. He would go on to teach those courses at Bramahott camp until August 1916.
On Aug. 12, 1916, Honey was transferred to the 78th Infantry Battalion and left for France.
He took part in a number of battles and operations. In February 1917, Honey received the Military Medal for Gallantry for raiding a German trench and covering his platoon while under heavy grenade fire. After receiving the medal Honey wrote in a letter to his family that his platoon deserved recognition as much as he did.
In April 1917, Honey was one of thousands of Canadian men who fought at Vimy Ridge. For this, he earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
The citation reads “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his platoon commander was wounded he assumed command, leading his men forward in face of terrific fire, until compelled by casualties to dig in. He held his position for three days, encouraging his men by his splendid example.”
After the battle, Honey was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and returned to Bramshott Camp to continue in his instructor role.
He retuned to the front in October 1917.
The following year, Canadian troops were given the seemingly insurmountable task of taking four areas in France. And through August and September, they battled to capture these areas. The final position was Canal du Nord, where the tables turned.
On Sept. 27, 1918, the Canadians were fighting against German forces at Bourlon Wood, when all of the commanding officers were killed. It was then that Honey assumed control and reorganized the troops.
“He continued the advance with great dash and gained the objective,” stated an account that was published in the London Gazette on Jan. 6, 1919.
“Then finding that his company was suffering casualties from enfilade machine-gun fire he located the machine-gun nest and rushed it single-handed, capturing the guns and ten prisoners.
“Subsequently he repelled four enemy counter-attacks and after dark again went out alone, and having located an enemy post, led a party which captured the post and three guns.”
On Sept. 29, Honey led another party to face the Germans again, where he was wounded. A day later, he succumbed to his wounds.
The Honeys received a letter from a commanding officer about Honey’s death.
“Nowhere have I seen such gallant work as this boy of yours displayed,” stated the letter.
“The men idolized him, and as they bore him by me that morning there was a tenderness in their care that only strong men can show.”
Honey was buried in Queant Communal Cemetery British Extension in France.
“I can’t even comprehend the bravery, the valour,” said de Groot.
“How in the world could one young man be that smart and brave? It’s pretty amazing.”
Honey was described as someone with “grit” and “daring.”
In July 1964, a plaque was unveiled by the Mount Forest Legion and Isabel Honey, Samuel’s sister, at the Wescott United Church in Conn.
The plaque was moved to the Mount Forest Legion in 2008 when the church closed.
“He was an amazing young man who deserves a lot of respect,” said de Groot.
– with files from Janet de Groot, Beverly Johnston, Library and Archives of Canada and Veteran Affairs.
