Personal Profile Collections
Herbert Howie
Service Number 301282
Short Biography:
Herbert Howie was born in Glace Bay, NS, on September 17, 1894, and attended local schools. When the First World War began, Herbert was living with his sister, Rachael Howie, who he listed in his service records as his foster mother. Both of their parents were deceased. Herbert was employed as a teamster which was a term for someone who could drive a team of horses or a truck.
On January 6, 1916, in Fredericton, NB, Herbert enlisted in the 36th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, a unit that was raised in Sydney the previous year for overseas service, and was training in New Brunswick at the time. Two months later, on February 26th, just before the 36th Battery departed for overseas, Herbert was transferred to the 58th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, a new overseas unit that was just beginning to recruit in New Brunswick. Its nucleus was formed from men left over from the over strength 36th Battery. The 58th Battery was a part of the newly formed 14th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, comprising a headquarters with four batteries and an ammunition train. The brigade in turn was a part of the 4th Division Artillery. Probably because of his civilian job as a teamster, Herbert’s rank was driver which was equivalent to the rank of private in the infantry. He retained that rank for most of his service during the First World War. His duties would have included driving the teams of horses that pulled the artillery pieces and equipment, as well as transporting supplies and ammunition.
Herbert left Halifax, NS, as a part of the 14th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, on September 11, 1916, on the troopship SS Metagama, and disembarked in Liverpool, England, on September 22nd. The batteries continued their training in England. In January, 1917, Canadian overseas artillery units were reorganized and the 14th Brigade became part of the 5th Canadian Divisional Artillery.
On August 17, 1917, Herbert was transferred to the Heavy Trench Mortar Battery at Camp Witley. It was also a part of the 5th Canadian Divisional Artillery. Three weeks later he was transferred again, this time to Canadian Reserve Artillery, 1st Brigade, at Witley Camp. He proceeded to France as a reinforcement on November 2, 1917, and was posted to the 4th Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column where he saw action at the front. He was later attached for duty to the 4th Canadian Division Reinforcement Camp before proceeding to England on May 4, 1919, and then on to Canada where he was demobilized on June 15, 1919 in Halifax. He held the rank of driver.
After the war Herbert settled back in Glace Bay and married Maude Finlayson. They had one son together. Herbert retired from the Dominion Coal Company and passed away on November 21, 1969 at the age of 75. He was laid to rest in St. Mary’s Anglican Cemetery in Glace Bay. Maude passed away in 1971.
Additional Information:
Herbert and Maude’s only son, Wilfred Herbert, served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. He was attached to #101 Squadron, Royal Air Force, when his plane was shot down on the night of August 29/30, 1944, during a bombing mission to Stettin, Germany. Wilfred was killed during this action. He was a Sergeant (Air Gunner) on a Lancaster bomber that was equipped with specialized radio jamming equipment.