Lance Corporal James Harkness
James Harkness was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. He immigrated to Paris and was employed as a Woolen Spinner in Penmans Mill No.9.he and his wife, Ruth, attended the Paris Baptist Church. James had served in the 2nd Lancaster Fusiliers before he emigrated. He had also served with the 25th Brant Dragoons before he enlisted. James was 34 years of age when he enlisted with the 125th Battalion in Paris.
He was a Lance Corporal of the 10th Platoon that embarked aboard the S.S Scandinavia on February 12, 1916. The 9th and 10th Platoons were the first contingent of soldiers from Paris, nearly 100 men, to go overseas. He was transferred to the 4th Battalion after arriving in England.
On August 18, 1917, General Currie, the Canadian commander, planned to improve the position in front of Lens on the southern edge of Hill 70. The ultimate goal was to capture this strategic city. The 2nd and 4th Divisions supported by the grouping of the artillery from three Divisions plus the Corps' heavy artillery and guns of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery launched their attack on 21 August. Though the Canadians did not take Lens at this time, they secured Hill 70, which dominated the city of Lens and which they held for the remainder of the war.
August 21 was the day James was admitted to No. 30 General Hospital in Calais with a gunshot wound to his back. By October 5, he was in a military hospital in Edmonton, then in Uxbridge, both near London. On February 2, 1918, he was in another hospital in Epsom. On April 18, he was in Kirkdale, Liverpool in preparation for being invalidated back to Canada. Medical staff in Kirkdale said that he had lost control of his legs and also of his sphincter. He could limp along with a cane, but only for 100 yards. Though weak, he was said to be improving. He was invalidated to Canada on May 5, 1918 and sailed aboard H.S. Araguaya on May 25.
James was still in the Spadina Military Hospital in Toronto on September 1. He was discharged as physically unfit on September 18, 1918. The Battle of Hill 70 was one of the most significant battles of the war. The Germans would surrender two months after Lance Corporal James Harkness was discharged. He died on April 28, 1963 in Englehart, Ontario.