The Bitter Taste of Defeat
When we got to the top of the hill and began out retreat over the shell-holed
terrain we had traversed that morning night was falling, and the shelling continued.
I found myself beside Lance Ross. When the shelling increased he told me to lie
on my side and place my rifle along the side of my body as it could offer some
protection from the exploding bombs.
"A" Company, of the Royal Rifles of Canada, had been sent out to relieve us but,
before they could reach us the order to surrender had been issued and, the battle
was over.
I was told that as "A" Company moved out of the fort they were caught in a
barrage of shell fire causing a number of casualties. It was there that Frank
Cormier was killed. I was told that there wasn't a mark on him. Apparently a shell
had landed close to him and he had been killed by the concussion.
Shortly after we got back to the Fort we were informed that Governour Sir Mark
Young had ordered the surrender of the Colony. The reason we were given was
that because the invaders had cut off the water supply and electric service the
civilian population had demanded capitulation. Who knew what our future held.