Russell Wright was born on April 20, 1889, the son of Armon Soper (a merchant) and Eliza Ann (nee Wright) Soper, of Whitby, Ontario. He had one sibling, Clarence Percy, who unfortunately died at age 10, two years before Russell was born. Russell was educated in Port Perry public and high schools and, upon graduating, taught for
two years. He then attended the University of Toronto in the Applied Science Program and obtained a four year degree in Architecture (1909-13). In 1916, Russell would marry Alma Priscilla (nee Nutting, of Cannington, Ontario). The couple married on May 24, 1916, in Uxbridge, Ontario and had one child together, a son Ernest, born in 1917. Russell worked as an architect in Sarnia for several years and had opened his office in the Carter building on Front Street. Rapidly making a name for himself among local builders and contractors, Russell drafted plans for several buildings in the city and vicinity. He was also an active member of the Sarnia Tennis Club.
Russell enlisted in July of 1916, with the Army, 116th Battalion. He took an officers’ training course in London, Ontario, and received his commission in November of 1916. He was promoted to Sergeant before going overseas. By the time he was at the front in early August of 1917, a member of the Canadian Infantry, Central Ontario Regiment, 116th Battalion, he had the rank of Lieutenant. Russell would serve through two major battles– the Battles of Hill 70 and Passchendaele–and during the following winter, he would see action on the Lens Front. On April 2, 1918, Russell Soper would lose his life while fighting in France. When the unit to the left of his was forced to retire near Mericourt, the position of his Battalion was threatened. He was in charge of filling in a communication trench to block the enemy’s advance when he was killed.
The following is an excerpt from the records of the 116th Battalion in France, and includes a reference to the death of Russell Soper:
Towards the end of February the battalion moved back to its old familiar hunting ground around Avion, where, although the trenches and general conditions were excellent, we sustained a series of misfortunes. Patrols went out every night through the ruins of Avion to try and locate enemy posts and whilst engaged in this work we lost two of our officers, Lieutenant C. R. Hillis and Lieutenant R. W. Biggar, within a few days of each other. From this front we moved south and on the 1st of April we were situated in the New Brunswick trench, in front of Mericourt.
During the last three months two important changes in our organization took place which it may be wise to record.
Major G. R. Pearkes, recently awarded the Victoria Cross for gallant work at Passchendaele with the 5th C.M.R., was appointed Officer Commanding 116th Battalion, to replace Colonel Sharpe, whose illness in England seemed likely to keep him away from France for an indefinite period.
Major J. Sutherland, at one time a Company Commander in the 52nd Battalion, but recently an instructor at Ferfay, was appointed second in command to Lt.- Colonel Pearkes.
The German grand offensive, which was to land him at the gates of Paris, had commenced, and in consequence the “staff” were showing very distinct signs of nervousness commonly called “wind up.”
The First, Second and Fourth Canadian Divisions had been, or were being withdrawn from the line to be in readiness for action wherever they might most be needed, and the Third Division was left to defend Vimy Ridge as best it could, with nothing behind it except its own artillery and a couple of labour battalions employed in agricultural work, which had lately become a feature of modern warfare. During the day the Brigadier paid a visit to Battalion Headquarters, and, amongst other things, suggested that we might carry out some kind of raid in order to get identification, and by this means discover the enemy plans.
At 6 p.m. a meeting of the Company Commanders was called, and within the hour it was arranged to send out a battle patrol of one officer and twenty-five O.R s. from each Company, to work independently on given frontages. It was also arranged that whichever patrol was successful in capturing a prisoner, would send up a red flare immediately. The operation was scheduled to commence at 11 p.m., without artillery or machine gun support.
At 9 p.m. a message was received from the Divisional Commander stating that identification on our front might be necessary, and at 10 p.m. the Corps Commander wired in saying that it was necessary, so that, all things considered, our preparations were probably well timed.
“D” Company patrol, under Captain Baird, was the first to start the quarry, for shortly after setting out it ran into a strong German patrol on its way over to our lines. With the battle cry “Come on Toronto,” Captain Baird, followed by his patrol, rushed on the Germans before they had time to move and a regular scrimmage took place, during which Captain Baird lost the use of his right arm, due to the displace ment of one of the muscles. He was in the act of capturing the German patrol leader when his right arm collapsed and his revolver dropped from his hand. The German officer immediately seized him round the neck and was giving him a rough time when one of our party shot the German dead. In the meantime the remainder of our patrol had succeeded in capturing two prisoners and put the rest to flight.
Red flares were immediately sent up and all parties returned to our lines in high spirits, having obtained the “necessary identification” asked for by the Corps only two hours previously, although this achievement was greatly dimmed by the loss of two officers killed (Lt. J. A. Gibson and Lt. R. W. Soper).
Lieutenant Soper would officially be listed as, Killed in Action, on April 2, 1918. He left behind his wife Alma Priscilla and their one year old son Ernest. Twenty-eight year old Russell Soper is buried in La Chaudiere Military Cemetery, Vimy, Pas de Calais, France, Grave I.C.3.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G