Samuel Glanville was born September 24, 1895 to George and Mary (Ball) Glanville. The Glanville’s had a farm on what is now the present day Orono Crown lands, and Glanville attended the nearby Lockhart School SS#9. Following school, he landed a job with Armstrong’s General Store in Orono, where he was working at the time of his enlistment.
Glanville was just 20 years old when he signed his attestation papers on November 10, 1915 in Port Hope. He was assigned to the 136th Overseas Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces (CAF). Following his training, he was transferred to Camp Valcartier, north of Quebec City, in August, 1916, and eventually to Halifax, from where he departed for Liverpool, England on September 25, 1916. Landing on October 16, his unit was sent to the West Sanderling military encampment, and transferred into the 39th Battalion. This battalion was a reserve battalion which provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field.
In November, 1916, Glanville was transferred into the 75th Battalion, which was then active in France. He was transported to Le Havre, France on November 15, and joined his unit on the field on November 21. Here, in January 1917, they attended a Physical Training and Bayonet Fighting course in preparation for the planned assault on Vimy Ridge. On February 18 into March 1, 1917, the 75th Battalion was chosen to participate in a multi-battalion sized raid on the German positions at Hill 145, a part of the Vimy Ridge, in preparation for the larger assault to come in 5 weeks.
The Germans were prepared with defenses too strong to breach. The 75th had no option but retreat, after suffering devastating losses. Among the 123 killed or wounded, was Glanville at only 22 years of age. His remains were never recovered.
Samuel Glanville’s name is listed on the Vimy Memorial, as well as on the Orono cenotaph and the village cemetery gates. The banner in his honour was sponored by the Knights of Columbus Newcastle Council.
Courtesy of the Orono Weekly Times with special credit to Carol-Ann Oster
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