Fether (E.P. Fetherstonhaugh)
Lieutenant Edward Phillips Fetherstonhaugh, M.C.: "Fether" throughout the diary. Born in Montreal on 20 July 1879, an electrical engineer (McGill Science '99) and a son of E. C. B. Fetherstonhaugh of 775 Sherbrooke Street West, he was on the teaching staff of the University of Manitoba, where he was acting officer commanding the C.O.T.C., and had earlier served two years as a lieutenant with the Ottawa Field Company, Canadian Engineers. He attested at Ottawa on November 10, 1915, and crossed to France with Robertson's own draft on January 3, 1916, per a McGill Daily article naming the group. He recurs in the diary into 1917 (in August, Robertson is sent to Corps to "take Fether's job pro tem," "rather a big order as Fether carries most of his job in his head") and was invested with the Military Cross alongside Robertson at Buckingham Palace in June 1917 (McGill Daily, October 8, 1917; the diary has no entries for June 4–18, but Robertson's leave warrant covers exactly that window). His younger brother, the architect Harold Lea Fetherstonhaugh, also served (see H.L. Fetherstonhaugh).
Appears in the diary · 12 entries
1916
- 3 January 1916… ing shown around the town by Smeed. - Some town. - Hired a hack with Skinch & Garrow to go up to #3 hospital. - Ca & Fether beat us by walking. Diner at Hotel Folkestone. Smeed shone as a linguist. - Retired early …
1917
- 15 February 1917… re than strafes. – Fritz never even attempted to come over. – Saw Tommy Williams today, but not to speak to C.R.E. – Fether came up. – Fosse II people are after that anvil. – Pickers. – Mac got his War Loan to-day …
- 18 February 1917… this fat. – Can’t do much but dig out as fast as they fall. – Only just realized the significance of the “rat-traps” Fether was talking to Bruce about when I was down there this am. – This evening is the first qui …
- 27 April 1917… go up to AUSBURGER & see Kneelands – Had lunch up there. On an important job now. – Building a hut for the G.O.C. – Fether came in this aft. – Said he had heard there was a job being made for me. – They seem very …
- 15 May 1917… , – Tommy Irving – Canon Scott – Maj. Rolston – Pat. Goldie – Padre McGrier – Maj. Bennet, O'connor, Wilgar, Dunbar, Fether, – Wilkes, Jeff McPhail – Maj. Foss & I starred as dancers. – Rolston was telling me of a …
- 17 May 1917… A.T. Co'y & as he is next on the list will probably get his step, – as Rex Calvin is still in England. – That leaves Fether top man & he should get his at corps so that if things work out right I should get a star …
- 15 September 1917Junkin in to lunch. Fether on leave.
- 16 September 1917Warm. Orders to go to Corps and take Fethers job pro tem. – Rather a big order as Fether carries most of his job in his head. Living a …
- 20 September 1917… ly caught up in the wine. – Ormy Stitt went on leave tonight. – McCuaig came up to take his place and is sleeping in Fethers' bed. – Never heard such a competent snore before.
- 26 September 1917Fether got back at tea time so I chased off to Bethune. – Had dinner there + came back about 9.
- 27 December 1917… lub. – We figured we should be able to rig up a sleigh between us & get some good sleighing in while the snow lasts. Fether came in this aft. Woods from 3rd Siege Bty came down with lorries for material so rode ba …
- 30 December 1917… t a few letters written. McCallum came down to tea. – Was talking about going down to Nice the end of the month with Fether & Orm. – Might be a better stunt to go down there than to Blitey this weather.