Regimental
Quarter-Master Sergeant Joseph Fairley MSM
(b.
1884
in Barnsley d. 1952 Edmonton, Canada)
Written and
researched by David
Bohl,
with the kind help World War 1 historians world wide.
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Founder Member Fred Applebee recalls in 1971 - Looking back
sometimes it seems only a
very short time since, at tea time in our diggings at 9 Huntly Road,
off Sheil Road, I looked across the table and said to my pal Joe
Fairley,
“Well
! If I start a new club will you be the first to join ?”
That
is exactly how the
club came into being.
Joe
was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire in
1884 and came to Liverpool for teacher training around 1907. The census
of 1911 states he was a Schoolmaster and was lodging with Fred
Applebee in Elm Park, Fairfield.
In early 1914 Joe decided on adventure and followed his younger
brother to Canada,
Barker
Fairley
had taken up a post at the University of Alberta teaching German
literature and became a renowned painter.
By August of
1914 war had broken out in Europe and Joe was quickly into action with
the 31st Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
[Library
and Archives of Canada]
In
May 1915, the battalion sailed for
England on the Cunard liner RMS Carpathia {Titanic's rescue ship) with
a complement of 36
officers and 1033 other ranks. After initial training in England, the
battalion fought in Belgium and France, and was often at the forefront
of the fighting at Ypres Salient, Vimy Ridge, Fresnoy, the
Somme,
Passchendaele, the Battle of Amiens, the Battle of Arras and the
occupation of the Rhine.
Joe
was "mentioned in despatches" in
1917.
The
bulk of the battalion returned to
Canada on the SS Cedric on 27 May
1919, and to Calgary on 1 June 1919.
Joe returned to an address in Toronto, 21 McMaster Ave.
[Library
and Archives of Canada]
[Library
and Archives of Canada]
Meritorious
Service Medal Citation
From
22nd September
1917 to 24th February 1918 in the field and for consistent good work
and devotion to duty. This man enlisted with the 31st Battalion in
November 1914 and has risen to the rank of RQMS during an unbroken
period of service. He has proved an invaluable assett to the Battalion
on account of his keeness at all times to carry out his duties which
have been carried out with an exceptional display of thoroughness and
ability.
[Thanks
to
canadiangreatwarproject.com for his military records and citation]
Joe
passed away in 1952 and is
buried at Beechmount Cemetery, Edmonton.
RQMS
Joseph Fairley MSM
(1884-1952)
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Aliens RFC,
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