Captain Oswald P. Arkless MC

Oswald Pearson Arkless was a professional singer before immigrating to India, then Canada, in 1913. Travelling to Edmonton to meet friends, he enlisted at the outbreak of war with the First Contingent. Joining the 49th Battalion (E.R.) in France in October 1916, he fought at Vimy Ridge and later at Passchendaele in 1917 where he commanded "A" Company into the attack. Massive casualties were experienced and despite being wounded, Arkless fought on and eventually commanded the left half of the battalion's forward outpost line. For his courage, he was awarded the Military Cross. During the Hundred Day offensive of the following year, Arkless served as Second in Command of “C” Company and later led a patrol that breached the Mons-Condé Canal during the final advance to Mons in November 1918. Arkless returned to England after the war and died in 1954.