"If ye break faith ~

             we shall not sleep"  ~John McCrae, In Flanders Fields, Punch, Dec. 8, 1915.

(Photo:  lbwalker) 

Nine Elms British Cemetery, Belgium

The town newspaper wrote, "the news cast a gloom over the community for Will was well liked by everybody and his parents have the sympathy of the community in their loss."

The main action had taken place on November 6 where William Duff was wounded in the heel by a shell and was taken to the number 44 casualty clearing station apparently in good spirits.  Tragically on November 8, 1917 Duff died of his wounds and was buried in the Nine Elms British Cemetery in Belgium.  He was just 22 years old.

Later in a letter to the Advocate, Lt. Colonel Andrew T. Thompson of Ruthven, Cayuga, wrote "He (Drew Thompson) served in the 4th Battalion, and poor brave Billy Duff was out with him on many a wiring party in no mans land.  The young men thought very highly of each other, and my son feels the death of his old Cayuga comrade very keenly."

~ Research by Brendan Oliver of Hamilton, Ontario.  Brendan has put together the facts about this young soldier.  He continues to look for "more personal accounts."  If you have information about William or his family ~ however seemingly insignificant ~ please contact Brendan at griffs8_@hotmail.com

Duff Family Stone, Cayuga, Ontario

"Our home can never be the same for out of it went much of its joy and light in the person of my third son William Selkirk, who was slain at Passchendaele and sleeps in a soldiers grave in Belgium." ~ David A. Duff

Duff trained at Camp Borden and sailed from Halifax to Liverpool aboard the S.S. Coronia on October 31, 1916.

In early February 1917 Duff volunteered to go to France and was attached to the 4th Battalion going almost immediately into the trenches and then taking part in minor engagements.  On the 9th of April his regiment was engaged in the great battle of Vimy Ridge where he received a severe shrapnel wound to the face.  This kept him at the Hospital in Boulogne and at the base for a month before rejoining his regiment.

About the end of August Duff was granted a leave of absence for three weeks most of which was spent in Scotland visiting relatives in Perthshire and Dundee.

On the 23rd of September he returned to France and Flanders where preparations were under way for the taking of Passchendale ridge.  William wrote home to his parents at this time outlining his experiences in the army and thanking them for the gifts he had received. William wrote, "Ollie's box contained a little Bible from Jack and Marjory and believe me, I never prized anything as much, coming as it did at this particular time."

*The newspaper clipping that led Brendan Oliver on his quest to learn more about the young man in uniform.  Brendan has a lot of factual information about Duff and is looking for more personal accounts of the soldier.  If you have any information about the Duffs, please contact Brendan at griff8_@hotmail.com
Tomorrow:  Passchendale.
Research courtesy of Brendan Oliver of Hamilton

Neat Little Bookshop Calendar

Third Thursdays ~ Coffee pot's always on...

Nov. 21 1:00 Dr. Alan Bishop WWI Poetry
Dec. 19  1:00 Christmas ~ Bring your own item
Jan. 16  1:00 Doris Kienitz East Germany & the Escape
Feb. 20 1:00 Suzanne Hurley's Mysteries
Mar. 20 1:00 Neil Paul~ Gerard Manley Hopkins Poetry
Apr. 17   1:00 Your Favourite Poetry

BOOK SIGNING Sat. Nov. 16, 10:30 - 3:00 Gary McHale
~ Victory in the No-Go Zone

Informal Round Table ~ Everyone welcome.

William Selkirk Duff volunteered to go to France and was attached to the 4th Battalion going almost immediately into the trenches.  Duff had spent his boyhood in the villages of Cayuga and Jarvis.  Upon leaving school Duff entered the service of the Union Bank of Canada occupying positions in the branches at Cayuga, Canfield and Smithville.  At the time of his enlistment he held the position of accountant at the Pape and Danforth branch of the Bank of Commerce in Toronto.
He enlisted at Cayuga on February 19, 1916.  He stood 5' 6" tall, had blue eyes, dark hair, a fair complexion and no prior military experience.

(Research courtesy of Brendan Oliver.  Brendan was captivated by the soldier's story when he discovered a yellowed newspaper clipping at an auction sale.  He welcomes any stories or photographs related to the Duff family.)

Tomorrow:  William Selkirk Duff and the newspaper article from 1917 that captivated Brendan Oliver's heart.

Wearing a Red Poppy Is to Remember ~

~ A Poppy Is to Remember, Heather Patterson & Ron Lightburn, North Winds Press A Division of Scholastic Canada. 2004

William Selkirk Duff

William Selkirk Duff was born in Selkirk, Ontario, on December 30, 1894 to David A. and Angelina P. Duff (nee Birdsall) of Cayuga.  He had two brothers, Oliver Wenzel and Whitson D. and a sister Jessie Duff.  His father was a well known and well respected Principal in Cayuga.  The Duff family resided at 26 Munsee Street in Cayuga.

A small, faded newspaper clipping has led Brendan Oliver on an earnest search for information about the young man in uniform, his family and his service to his country.

In the days leading to November 11 The Neat Little Bookshop blog will follow Brendan's discoveries with the hope that some of our readers can assist with additional stories or photographs.

Plaque in Cayuga United Church

(Photos: Collection Brendan Oliver. For larger image please click on photo.)  Brendan has found lots of information; however, he continues to hope that personal stories will come in as he continues his search.  Reach Brenda at griff8_@hotmail.com

That is griff8 underscore @hotmail.com