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QSAMIKE
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Thank you received: 1931
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“GAT” HOWARD IS KILLED
Star Correspondent London
“London, February 4th”
“The War Office has received the following dispatch from Lord Kitchener:----
“I regret to say that Major Howard, a very gallant officer of the Canadian Scouts, was killed February 17th.”
“The Major Howard referred to above is “Gat” Howard, who went out with the Mounted Rifles, in command of a machine gin, with the rank of lieutenant. He came to Canada in 1880, in charge of a gattling gun which was used in the fight at Batoche, when Riel's position was taken. He had formerly been an officer of the Connecticut National Guard. On his return from the West, he was instrumental in establishing the Dominion Cartridge Company, at Brownsburg, near Lachute, of which he was manager. He volunteered for service in South Africa. On return of the corps he remained in charge of his gun squad and later was given command of a corps of Canadian Scouts, whose services have been several times referred to in the telegrams. He bade farewell to his returning comrades at Cape Town, and returned to duty and, as it turned out, to his death.
“During the past week there was received from him by a friend at Ottawa a letter from which the following was published:--
“I have added to my battery a pom-pom, so we have quite a force, six colt guns, a pom-pom and 100 scouts. We have had two brushes with the enemy since you left, and made them hump each time. We were paraded by the General and given great credit. I may come back in July and recruit a regiment of half-breeds. The Boers are cutting up Hades around here, so you see the war is not over yet or likely to be for the next year. Give my best regards to all. I will meet you in England probably next June.”
When the mounted men returned home Major Howard preferred to remain, and formed a corps known as the Canadian Scouts, drawn from men of the Canadian mounted Contingent who wished to stay on. Sergeants' pay was given the men of this corps, showing the high regard in which they were held. On several occasions they distinguished themselves. Poor Major Howard has evidently exposed himself once too often.”
Mike
Life Member
Past-President Calgary
Military Historical Society
O.M.R.S. 1591
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