Personal Profile Collection

Harvey Edwin Crowell

Short Biography:

Harvey Edwin Crowell was born in Barrington, Shelbourne County, NS, on June 23, 1889, the son of Rev. and Mrs. Edwin Crowell. Harvey was a chartered accountant living in Yarmouth, NS, when he enlisted in the newly formed 219^th Overseas Highland Battalion on February 23, 1916, in Halifax, NS. He had previous militia experience in the 29^th Battery Canadian Field Artillery. When he joined the 219^th battalion, he was appointed to the commissioned rank of lieutenant.

In the spring of 1916, the 219^th Battalion joined its sister battalions of the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade in Aldershot, NS. While at Aldershot, Harvey was promoted to the rank of captain. They spent the summer and early fall training before sailing for England on the RMS Olympic in October, 1916. Shortly after arriving in England, the 219^th Battalion was disbanded to be used as reinforcements for units already at the front. Harvey was transferred to the 85^th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) and crossed the English Channel with them to France on February 10, 1917.

The 85^th Battalion’s first major engagement was at Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917. The 85^th Battalion’s “C” and “D” Companies were tasked with capturing Hill 145, the remaining dominant feature on the ridge. Harvey commanded “C” Company in the attack. Without the aid of a preparatory artillery bombardment and under murderous enemy shell and gun fire, the companies pushed forward and captured and hung on to the hill.

Lt-Col. Joseph Hayes, in his book, ‘The Eighty-Fifth Canadian Infantry Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders in France and Flanders’, had this to say about Harvey and his part in the battle:

“Captain Harvey E. Crowell while leading his company in the attack was severely wounded in the shoulder in the early part of the engagement, but he continued on duty right in the front line of battle directing and leading his men all night long until the final objective was taken and the company reorganized. Then he only left under direct orders from the commanding officer and did so under protest. After the great ugly gaping wound in his shoulder had been dressed at the dressing station he started back up the tunnel towards the front again when he was collared by the Medical Officer and sent out to hospital.”

In connection to his actions that day, Harvey received a Mentioned in Despatch from General Sir Douglas Haig’s despatches in the London Gazette on December 28, 1917.

Harvey was invalided back to England to recover from his wound. He was not discharged from the hospital until almost two months later. While in England, he was transferred to the Nova Scotia Regimental Depot and later to the 17^th Canadian Reserve Battalion, where he was appointed Adjutant of the battalion. Harvey later relinquished his adjutant appointment in order to be transferred back to the 85^th Battalion. He rejoined his old battalion on the continent in November, 1918, just before the war ended.

Harvey returned to Canada in June, 1919 and was discharged from the army on June 15^th with the rank of major.

After the war, Harvey married Ella Purves and they raised a family together. Harvey began a distinguished business career as an accountant and throughout his life he was involved with numerous businesses and associations, and was prominent in community, athletic, veterans and church organizations. Harvey was also a major benefactor of Acadia University in Wolfville. He served on the Board of Governors and was later chairman and an honorary governor. He received an honorary doctorate from Acadia University in 1951 and a highrise residence was named in his honour.

Harvey Crowell passed away on May 15, 1977 at the age of 88. His wife Ella passed away in 1953. They are buried together in Camphill Cemetery in Halifax.

Notes on the Collection:

Thanks to Ken Hynes for providing an online link to Harvey Crowell's obituary and for locating his grave site in Camp Hill Cemetery.

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