Hospital Ship Brighton

RMS Cedric

Octavius William Vipond was the youngest of his 7 siblings, all of whom survived. His father John Vipond born December 21st 1842, Dryburn and mother Mary Ann Watson, born 1844 at High Rotherhope, both in the Parish of Alston, Cumberland, were married at St. John, Garrigill, Cumberland, December 8th 1870. Newly married they settled at Dryburn where John was an agricultural labourer. Rotherhope was the birthplace of their eldest son Thomas, August 11th 1872, John Joseph, September 18th 1874 and Frances, was born, September 28th 1876 at Ashgillside, Isaac at Williamston in Northumberland, in 1881. Later that year they were living at Knarsdale, historically in Northumberland, near Alston. John Vipond was now a farmer of 1250 acres employing 2 men, and also 3 servants Jonathan Park and William Sanderson indoor farm servants and Sarah Johnston general servant. Within 4 years they had a further 2 children, Mary Ada born 1884 and Harry James, December 7th 1885 at Knarsdale, however, they had moved to Blanchland, Northumberland by 1891 where John had a holding at Cowbyers Farm and was assisted by Thomas (18) and Frances (16), Isaac, Mary and Harry, 10, 7 and 5 respectively were scholars, their youngest brother Octavius William was born, April 14th 1892, John Joseph who had left home was married later that year in district of Hexham, to Elizabeth Hindmarsh.

His father died, January 6th 1905, John Vipond was interred at St. John Churchyard, Garrigill, Cumberland. Probate Carlisle, February 3rd 1906, to Thomas Vipond and John Joseph Vipond farmers, effects in the sum of £1607 10s. In 1909 his brother Harry James Vipond emigrated to South Africa, he and his brothers continued working Cowbyers Farm until he, at the age of 19 years, took the decision to emigrate to America in 1911, crossing later to Canada.

Having applied for a homestead grant November 16th 1912, this was granted and he settled in Hughton, district of Kindersley, Saskatchewan. It was not until 1916 that he enlisted, August 19th, assigned as Private 872088 to the 183rd Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force, giving the name of his mother Mary Vipond as next of kin. He departed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, disembarked at Liverpool and arrived at Witley Camp, Surrey, England, October 27th 1916. Transferred 2 days later to the 100th Battalion he was struck of strength to the 11th Reserve Battalion at Seaford before joining the the 100th Battalion training at Shorncliffe, Kent, January 20th 1917. Private Vipond was mobilised, February 25th 1917, assigned to the 107th Battalion at Witley and departed with his regiment to France, February 25th 1917, landing at Boulogne. Whilst at the front he would have received the sad news that his brother, Private Harry James Vipond serving with the Coldstream Guards had been killed whilst on patrol in France, February 26th 1917.

The 107th Battalion had arrived in England as an infantry battalion but converted to a Pioneer Battalion before departing to France. Private Vipond having been taken ill whilst on active service reported to the Casualty Clearing Station, March 11th 1917, was sent to the Dressing Station for 2 days, then transported to Etaples, March 22nd 1917, where, at the 1st Canadian General Hospital he was diagnosed with severe pneumonia. Sent back to the U.K. aboard the Hospital Ship “Brighton,” by the 19th he arrived in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and was admitted to the 1st Northern General Hospital, where undoubtedly his mother would have been able to visit him during his recovery. Sufficiently recovered Private Vipond was sent to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Hillingdon House, Uxbridge. The house had been acquired by the British Government, on sale as part of the estate of Frederick Cox in 1915. It was intended it become a prison of war camp, however after this was strongly opposed by the local population it opened as the C.C.H. September 20th 1915. Private Vipond was discharged to his unit in the U.K. April 29th 1917 arriving at Shorncliffe, Kent, where he was taken on strength to the 11th Reserve Battalion, May 31st 1917, struck of strength and transferred to the 18th Reserve Battalion, October 11th 1917 and had risen to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal by March 1st 1918 but reverted to Private by July 13th. Private Vipond also spent time at Seaford in Sussex at the Canadian Expeditionary Reserve Pool during 1918 and was at Witley Camp Surrey during April 1919. His physical condition did not permit that he serve again overseas.

Private Octavius William Vipond departed from the Port of Liverpool, aboard the transatlantic liner RMS Cedric, of the White Star Line, the largest vessel in the world at the time of her launch in 1902, which having been requisitioned for war service in October 1914 was converted to an armed merchant cruiser until 1916. She was decommissioned and converted into a troop carrier, Private Vipond arrived in the port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 27th 1919, the following day he was officially discharged.

His mother Mary Vipond nee Watson died September 15th 1930 aged 85 years, whilst living at Front Street, Alston, she was interred with the husband, John, in the family plot within St. John’s Garrigill, Cumberland. Octavius William Vipond of 1240 Robson Street, Vancouver, British Colombia, aged 77-years died February 8th 1960.

Details as regards Octavius William’s siblings;

Isaac Vipond (49) died May 31st 1929 and interred with his parents at St. John Garrigill.

Farmers John Joseph Vipond (62) and Thomas Vipond (77) of Cowbyers Farm died July 30th 1937 and December 2nd 1949, respectively, both registered in County Durham.

Neither of his sisters ever married. Midwife Mary Ada Vipond (51) died September 23rd 1935, Frances Bell Vipond (84) died May 20th 1961, both registered in Cumberland,

As previously stated his brother Harry James Vipond was killed on active service during WW1.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.