Full History Of Sam Hughes In Timeline From 1900

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March 1900: Service under Hughes's command

From March 1900 onward, William Hitchens and Lionel Curtis, who were later prominent in Milner's Kindergarten, served under Hughes's command as they advanced across the veld from the Cape Colony into the Orange Free State.

May 1900: Promotion to Intelligence Officer and Involvement in Counterattack

In May 1900, Milner promoted Hughes to the intelligence officer and assistant adjutant general to Warren's Scouts. During the advance, de Villers attacked the British camp at the Faber Pass outside of Campbell on 27 May 1900, and Hughes led the counterattack that drove the Transvaalers back.

1900: Dismissal from Boer War Service

In the summer of 1900, Hughes was dismissed from Boer War service for military indiscipline and sent back to Canada. Letters charging the British military with incompetence had been published in Canada and South Africa.

1901: Rebuilding Relations with the Orange Order

In 1901, after Wallace's death, Hughes tried to rebuild the relationship between the Conservatives and the Orange Order, and his efforts bore fruit. Despite Wallace campaigning against him, Hughes attempted to mend the relationship.

1902: Agent for Canadian Northern Railway

Between 1902 and 1905, Hughes served as an agent for the Canadian Northern Railway headed by his friend, William Mackenzie, traveling twice to the Prairies to select the route for the CNR.

1904: Hughes Loyalty to Borden

In 1904 Hughes was loyal to Borden at a time when many Conservative MPs wanted a new leader after Borden lost two general elections in a row.

1904: Re-election and Offer to Borden

In the 1904 election, Hughes held on to his seat in Victoria County by a narrow margin. The Conservative leader, Robert Borden, lost his own seat in Halifax, and Hughes offered to resign to allow Borden to represent Victoria County.

1905: Agent for Canadian Northern Railway

Between 1902 and 1905, Hughes served as an agent for the Canadian Northern Railway headed by his friend, William Mackenzie, traveling twice to the Prairies to select the route for the CNR.

1905: Imperial Federation Movement

From 1905 onward, Hughes introduced a resolution in the House of Commons calling for an "equal partnership union" of the Dominions with the United Kingdom.

1906: Motion Accepted as Policy

In 1906, Hughes's motion calling for the Canadian government to give preference in handing out land in the Prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to veterans of the British Army was accepted as policy.

June 1907: "Curse upon Canada" Remark at Orange Order Convention

In June 1907, at the Orange Order's national convention in Vancouver, Hughes repeated his thesis that Catholic immigrants were a "curse upon Canada", with the warning that the Orangemen would never vote Conservative again if Borden expelled Hughes.

1908: Hughes Loyalty to Borden

In 1908 Hughes was loyal to Borden at a time when many Conservative MPs wanted a new leader after Borden lost two general elections in a row.

1910: Royal Canadian Navy Foundation

In 1910, Laurier founded the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Hughes had little interest in the Navy.

December 1911: Increased militia budget and camp construction

In December 1911, Sam Hughes announced plans to increase the militia budget, construct more camps, and build drill halls. The goal was to bolster the Non-Permanent Active Militia, signaling a shift in defense priorities and funding allocation.

1911: Hughes becomes Minister of Militia and Defence

In 1911, Sam Hughes becomes Minister of Militia and Defence.

1911: Appointed Minister of Militia

In 1911, after the election of Borden, Hughes was appointed Minister of Militia with the aim of creating a distinct Canadian army within the British Empire, to be used in case of war.

April 1912: Controversy over Catholic processions

In April 1912, Hughes sparked controversy by forbidding militia regiments in Quebec from participating in Catholic processions, a long-standing tradition, leading to accusations of anti-Catholic prejudice due to his affiliation with the Loyal Orange Order.

1912: Hughes supports retaining the RCN

During the naval debates in 1912, Hughes supported retaining the "tin-pot navy" as the RCN was often called and helped to ensure its continued existence.

1912: Promotion to Major General

In 1912, Hughes promoted himself to the rank of major general.

1913: Hughes as a controversial minister

By 1913, Hughes' campaign for compulsory militia service made him a controversial figure in the Borden government. Though Borden considered him a liability, he hesitated to dismiss Hughes due to political debts and Hughes' intimidating demeanor.

1913: European junket with family and militia colonels

In 1913, Hughes took an all-expenses-paid trip to Europe with his family, secretaries, and militia colonels and their families, justified as military observation but perceived by many Canadians as an expensive vacation funded by taxpayers.

1913: Compulsory Militia Service Plan

In 1913, Hughes' intention was to make militia service compulsory for every able-bodied male, a plan that caused considerable public opposition.

June 1914: Currie's Embezzlement

In June 1914, Arthur Currie embezzled some $10,000 from his militia regiment in Victoria, leading to a police recommendation for criminal charges. Hughes was aware of this incident by May 1915.

August 7, 1914: Camp Valcartier Construction Order

On August 7, 1914, Hughes ordered the construction of Camp Valcartier, demanding its completion by the time the entire force was assembled.

August 1914: Creation of the Canadian Expeditionary Force

In August 1914, Borden announced that the British government accepted the offer of an expeditionary force to Europe. Instead of mobilizing the militia according to the General Staff's plan from 1911, Hughes created the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and chose to build a new camp at Valcartier.

August 1914: Hughes's reaction to Britain's potential inaction

In August 1914, upon hearing about the German invasion of Belgium and the British cabinet's emergency meeting, Hughes expressed outrage and disbelief, even ordering the removal of the Union Jack from the Defence Department. Only when Britain declared war on Germany did he relent.

August 1914: Hughes reflects on battle at Mons

In March 1919, Hughes brought up the fact that the British Expeditionary Force fought its first battle at Mons in August 1914 when making claims about Currie.

September 1914: Hughes' chaotic management and perceived insanity

During August-September 1914, Hughes' management of the war effort was characterized by chaos and controversy. He insulted numerous figures, including the Governor General, and his behavior led to widespread perceptions of insanity among colleagues, with Borden noting his eccentric behavior in his memoirs.

October 1914: Troops Mobilized and Hughes delivers a speech

By October 1914, the troops were mobilized and ready to leave for England. As the First Contingent embarked for Europe in Quebec City on 3 October 1914, Hughes delivered a speech that was not well received, and his actions were described as flamboyant by Borden.

October 1914: Hughes Announces Chum's Battalion Campaign

In August 1915, Hughes announced that any individual or group could form a "chum's battalion" for the CEF. Between October 1914 and September 1915, 71 battalions had been raised for the CEF by existing militia regiments. Only 40 reached full strength, with many volunteers being underage, unfit, or too old.

October 1914: Hughes Prevents CEF Breakup

In October 1914, Sam Hughes intervened in London to ensure the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was not broken up by Lord Kitchener and assigned to the British Army. He argued that since Canada paid the costs, it should control the CEF's deployment, and this intervention was considered Hughes's greatest achievement. Hughes also created the Shell Committee to manufacture shells and bullets.

December 1914: Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Arrives

In December 1914, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, a privately raised regiment, arrived on the Western Front. Also that month, Alderson replaced the Shield Shovels invented by Hughes's secretary, Ena MacAdam, with the standard British Army shovel.

1914: Defence budget increase

From 1911 to 1914, the Canadian defence budget rose from $7 million to $11 million per year, showing Hughes' impact on military spending, favoring the militia.

1914: Claimed Service in France

Hughes later claimed in Who's Who to have served "in France, 1914–15" despite not being released from his ministry and not having been given any command in the field.

1914: Hughes's Hostility and Recruiting Failures

In 1914, Sam Hughes's hostility towards French Canada, combined with his decision not to call out the militia, contributed to the failure of recruiting in Quebec.

February 1915: CEF Arrival in France

On February 16, 1915, the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) arrived in France and took up positions at the Ypres Salient in Belgium, preparing to enter the front lines.

April 1915: Second Battle of Ypres

In April 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres, the German Army attacked with chlorine gas, causing heavy casualties among French and Algerian troops. The 1st Canadian Division stepped in to hold the line on the night of April 22-23. On April 23, the Germans unleashed chlorine gas on the Canadian lines. The battle resulted in 6,035 casualties for the 1st Division and 678 deaths for Princess Patricia's battalion.

May 1915: Hughes Learns of Currie's Embezzlement

In May 1915, Hughes first learned that Currie had embezzled some $10,000 from his militia regiment in Victoria in June 1914 and the police were recommending criminal charges be brought against him.

August 1915: Announcement of Chum's Battalion Campaign

In August 1915, Hughes announced that any individual or group could form a "chum's battalion" for the CEF, leading to the formation of various specialized units. These units included Highland battalions, Irish battalions, sports battalions, American battalions, Orange battalions, and bantam battalions. By 1916, this campaign had raised 170 new battalions, though many were understrength or had unfit recruits.

August 24, 1915: Hughes Knighted

On August 24, 1915, Sam Hughes was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath.

September 1915: Hughes Announces Chum's Battalion Campaign

In August 1915, Hughes announced that any individual or group could form a "chum's battalion" for the CEF. Between October 1914 and September 1915, 71 battalions had been raised for the CEF by existing militia regiments. Only 40 reached full strength, with many volunteers being underage, unfit, or too old.

September 1915: Second Contingent Arrives, Canadian Corps Created

In September 1915, the Second Contingent arrived on the Western Front as the 2nd Canadian Division. Subsequently, the Canadian Corps was created, with Alderson as the corps commander and Arthur Currie and Richard Turner taking divisional command.

1915: Hughes prevents criminal charges against Currie

Cook noted the strangest aspect of the Hughes-Currie affair was that Hughes did not reveal that Currie was an embezzler in March 1919, something that greatly worried Currie at the time. Hughes may have restrained himself as the fact he prevented criminal charges from being laid against Currie in 1915 would have left himself open to charges of obstruction of justice and abuse of his powers as defence minister.

1915: Mounting Criticism of Hughes

From 1915 onward, Hughes faced mounting criticism for his wartime management of the Defence Department, but Prime Minister Borden, politically indebted to Hughes, kept him in his position. Borden sided with Hughes due to his agreement with Hughes's opinions on the British Army's inefficiency.

1915: Hughes Intervenes for Currie

In 1915, Hughes intervened on behalf of Currie, saving him from criminal charges related to embezzling money from his militia regiment in June 1914.

1915: Knighthood Awarded

In 1915, Hughes was belatedly knighted for his Boer War services and was proud to be known as "Sir Sam".

1915: Exposure of Wasteful Purchasing

In 1915, Scandals continued from the exposure of wasteful purchasing.

1915: War Purchasing Commission Formed

In 1915, the management of spending for supplies was taken away from Hughes and assigned to the newly formed War Purchasing Commission.

March 1916: Formation of the 3rd Division

In March 1916, a 3rd Division was formed by amalgamating Princess Patricia's Light Infantry, the Royal Canadian Regiment, and various mounted rifle units. These units had been stationed in England since the spring of 1915.

May 1916: Byng Replaces Alderson

In May 1916, Lieutenant General Julian Byng replaced Alderson as commander of the CEF.

June 1916: Criticism from Toronto Globe

On 22 June 1916, The Toronto Globe attacked Hughes for his "swashbuckling" speeches that were damaging relations with Britain.

June 1916: 3rd Division Enters Battle of Mount Sorrel

On June 1, 1916, the 3rd Division first saw action in the Battle of Mount Sorrel, which was initially lost to the Germans but then taken back by June 13.

July 1916: Volunteer Numbers Fall Drastically

Between July 1916 and October 1917, the number of volunteers fell drastically, with only 2,810 men volunteering, compared to the earlier period when 60% of Canadians who saw combat had joined by the end of 1915.

July 1916: Hughes Booed at Camp Borden

In July 1916, Hughes visited Camp Borden and was booed by "his boys," who blamed him for water shortages.

August 1916: Dinner Confrontation Between Byng and Hughes

On 17 August 1916, Byng and Hughes had a tense dinner where they clashed over promotion powers within the Canadian Corps, leading to Byng threatening to resign if Hughes continued his interference.

September 1916: Formation of the Acting Overseas Sub-Militia Council

In September 1916, Hughes, without informing Borden, announced in London the formation of the "Acting Overseas Sub-Militia Council," chaired by Carson, with Hughes's son-in-law as chief secretary.

September 1916: Canadian Corps Enters the Battle of the Somme

In September 1916, the Canadian Corps entered the Battle of the Somme, fighting until the end of the battle in November and suffering 24,029 casualties.

October 1916: 4th Division Enters Battle of the Somme

On October 10, 1916, the "chum's battalions" raised in 1915 were formed into the 4th Division, which first saw action on the Somme. David Watson, the owner of the Quebec Chronicle newspaper, commanded the division.

November 1916: Ross Rifle Abandoned by CEF

In November 1916, after Hughes' resignation, the Ross rifle was fully abandoned by the CEF in favor of the British standard Lee–Enfield rifle.

November 1916: Hughes's Forced Resignation

In November 1916, after the creation of the Ministry of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada, Hughes was forced to resign. On 9 November 1916, Borden dismissed him from the cabinet due to his assumption of powers he did not possess and the problems he created.

November 18, 1916: Presentation of Regimental Colours

On November 18, 1916, Hughes presented the Regimental Colours, donated by the American Bank Note Company, to the 207th (Ottawa-Carleton) Battalion, CEF on Parliament Hill.

1916: Hughes retires from the Cabinet

Disagreements with his colleagues and subordinates forced Sam Hughes's retirement from the Cabinet in 1916.

1916: Dismissal as Minister of Militia and Defence

In 1916, Sir Samuel Hughes was dismissed from his position as the Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence by Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden, following a tumultuous period in office.

1916: Recruiting Campaign and Battalion Losses

In 1916, the Defence Department spent $30,000 in Quebec in a campaign headed by Colonel Arthur Mignault to recruit more volunteers. After the battle of Courcelette in 1916, two CEF battalions from Quebec, the 163rd and 189th, suffered losses and had to be broken up due to lack of replacements. Also in 1916, the Ontario government's attempt to ban schools for the French-Canadian minority caused resentment in Quebec, further hindering recruiting efforts.

1916: Hughes Recruits American Volunteers

In early 1916, Borden became aware that Hughes had been using Defence Department funds to recruit for the American Legion in the United States, violating American neutrality. Hughes had also appointed Reverend C.S. Bullock, an American Unitarian clergyman, as his chief recruiter and given him a colonel's commission, despite Bullock having no military experience.

January 1917: Hughes's Plans with Beaverbrook and Lloyd George

In January 1917, Hughes floated a plan for Beaverbrook to use his influence with David Lloyd George to have him appointed to the Privy Council. At the same time, Hughes remained frustrated that Garnet Hughes was only commanding the 5th Canadian Division.

January 1917: Hughes Accuses Borden's Government

On 20 January 1917, Hughes accused the finance minister, Sir William Thomas White, of irresponsibly running up the national debt, and his successor Albert Edward Kemp of mismanaging the defence ministry, in his first speech to the Commons after his sacking.

May 1917: Borden proposes Union government

In May 1917, Borden proposed a coalition Union government due to mounting casualties, aiming to unite the Conservatives and Liberals. Laurier refused, but many English Canadian Liberal MPs joined the Union government.

October 1917: Volunteer Numbers Fall Drastically

Between July 1916 and October 1917, the number of volunteers fell drastically, with only 2,810 men volunteering, compared to the earlier period when 60% of Canadians who saw combat had joined by the end of 1915.

November 1917: Currie wins Passchendaele

After Currie won the Battles of Hill 70, Lens, and Passchendaele in November 1917, Hughes requested a meeting with Borden to discuss "Lens and somewhat similar massacres".

1917: Conscription introduced

In 1917, conscription was introduced in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), which led to the majority of soldiers in the CEF being Canadian-born.

1917: Imperial Munitions Board Takes Over

In 1917, due to the Shell Committee's failures and accusations of war profiteering, the British Minister of Munitions, David Lloyd George, stopped all orders until Canada created the Imperial Munitions Board, headed by Joseph Flavelle. Flavelle ended the corruption and increased efficiency, leading to a significant increase in shell production. This infuriated Hughes.

1917: Negative Impact on Operational Performance

Previous to 1917, Hughes insistence of the utilization of Canadian manufactured equipment, negatively affected the operational performance of the CEF.

January 1918: Hughes demands militia training

In January 1918, Hughes gave a speech at a Masonic Lodge in Toronto demanding that all males in the age group 10–16 undergo militia training.

May 1918: Hughes denounces Ministry of Overseas Forces

On 6 May 1918, Hughes gave a speech before the Commons denouncing the Ministry of Overseas Forces for an excessive number of bureaucrats, and for the first time indirectly attacked Currie as he spoke of officers with a "reckless disregard for life".

October 1918: Hughes accuses Currie of "useless massacres"

In October 1918, Hughes wrote a letter to Borden accusing Currie of "useless massacres of our Canadian boys, as needlessly occurred at Cambrai." Borden ignored Hughes's request that Currie and his "Black-hand Gang" be sacked.

November 1918: Hughes accuses Currie of attacking Mons

In March 1919, Hughes claimed that Currie had only attacked Mons in November 1918 to have the Canadian Corps end the war where it began.

November 1918: Armistice news ill-received by Hughes

The news of the Armistice on 11 November 1918 was not well-received by Hughes, as he felt that Currie had stolen the glory of victory that was rightfully his.

December 1918: Hughes calls Currie a murderer

In December 1918, Currie learned that Hughes was telling people that he was "a murderer, a coward, a drunkard and almost everything else that is bad and vile".

1918: Composition of Canadian Soldiers

Even in 1918, Canadian-born soldiers comprised 51.4% of the total serving in the CEF, with the majority of the rest being British immigrants.

March 1919: Hughes accuses Currie of needlessly sacrificing soldiers

On 4 March 1919, Hughes accused Currie in a speech before the Commons of needlessly sacrificing the lives of Canadian soldiers and made claims about the Second Battle of Mons in November 1918.

May 1919: Hughes claims Currie is overshadowing him

In May 1919, Hughes wrote to Garnet claiming that instructions had been issued to writers and correspondents to ensure he was overshadowed by others, especially by Arthur Currie.

September 1919: Hughes accuses Currie of cowardice

In September 1919, Hughes accused Currie in a speech to the Commons of cowardice at the Second Battle of Ypres, claiming he fled from his command post when he saw the chlorine gas.

August 1921: Sam Hughes dies

Sam Hughes died of pernicious anaemia at sixty-eight years old in August 1921. On 26 August 1921, his funeral in Lindsay was attended by 20,000 people.

August 23, 1921: Death of Samuel Hughes

On August 23, 1921, Sir Samuel Hughes, the Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence during World War I, passed away.

1921: Hughes informed of terminal illness

In the summer of 1921, Hughes was informed by his doctors that he had only weeks to live.

1921: Sam Hughes represents Lindsay, Ontario

Sam Hughes was a Member of Parliament for Lindsay, Ontario from 1892 to 1921, where he helped to create a distinctively Canadian Army.

1931: Anticipation of the Statute of Westminster

Hughes saw the Dominions as equal partners of the United Kingdom in the management of the British empire, making claims for powers for Ottawa that anticipated the 1931 Statute of Westminster.

June 20: Hughes claims Currie's reputation is propaganda

On 16 June 1920, Hughes said that Currie's military reputation was "propaganda" and that there were dozens of officers who "are regarded throughout the length and breadth of this country as infinitely superior to General Sir Arthur Currie as a general or as a gentleman".