Private Pollock was the son of Mrs. Hannah
Cargill and late William
Pollock, of Milton Heights, Ontario. He was a fireman who
attested to the 3rd University Company of the CEF on July 29,
1915 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Private Pollock's service records show that he
arrived in France and was taken on by the Princess
Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (3rd Division, 7th Infantry
Brigade) November 24, 1915. He was reported "missing after
action" June 2nd to 4th 1916. He had been previously
wounded on January 28, 1916.
We know from Stephen
Newman's authoritative text on the PPCLI that he was
reported missing in action during the fighting in Sanctuary
Wood. He had last been seem with A./Cpl. Green while retiring
from the front under pressure on June 2, 1916 (page 238).
Green's body was recovered, Pollock's was not. Heavy casualties
are reported in the June
2nd War Diary ( see also typed
version).
Nicholson's text provides details on the Battles of Mount
Sorrel on June 2, 1916 as the PPCLI moved through Sanctuary
Wood.
On that day, history reports: "For four hours a
veritable tornado of fire ravaged the Canadian positions from a
half mile west of Mount Sorrel to the northern edge of Sanctuary
Wood. The full fury fell upon the 8th Brigade and the right of
the 7th Brigade".
The Officer Commanding the 3rd
Division (General Mercer) perished that day with Private
Pollock. The action of the PPCLI on that day, to hold the line,
with 400 casualties and 150 dead, also cost them their
Commanding Officer Lt. Col. H. C. Buller.
Private Pollock
was in good company that day.
