CVWM Page (incorrectly states he belonged to the 13th Battalion)
Source: “Duty Nobly Done” page 291.
This soldier, a British Home Child, came over to Canada aboard the SS Dominion in 1908 at the age of 8. He enlisted with the 111th Battalion at Galt, Ontario on December 31, 1915. He was an 18-year old farm labourer. He indicated is date of birth as December 9, 1899 and thate he was born at Grays, Essex, England. His guardian, Mrs. E. Whitty was listed as his next of kin. He also had listed Wm. V. Bobson, Esq. of R.R. #6 Galt as his foster father. His will bequeath his real and personal estate to this man.
His Battalion embarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 29, 1916, aboard the SS Tusocania which arrived at Liverpool on October 6, 1916. Two days later he was transferred to the 17th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling Camp and then was transferred back to the 11th on October 13, 1916. That very day he was transferred again to the 35th Reserve Battalion and taken on strength with that battalion.
On January 4, 1917, he was transferred to the 4th Reserve Battalion, and he would stay with that battalion until he was struck off strength in preparation to be transferred to front line service with the 18th Battalion.
He arrived at the Canadian Base Depot at Le Harve on April 16, 1917 and TOS with teh 18th Battalion on that date. He arrived at the 2nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion on April 25, 1917, and then joined the 18th almost 2-months later on June 12, 1917.
He had a “debility” that required him to be sent to No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance. On July 28, 1917, he was admitted to No. 23 Casualty Clearing Station for a “debility” which lasted until he was discharged on September 18, 1917. There is no record as to the nature of this man’s debility.
He was then granted 14-day’s leave to England on January 13, 1918.
He returned from leave and served with the Battalion until his death by enemy action.
His Circumstances of Death Card relates: ‘”Killed in Action” instantly killed by shrapnel in the head, during military operations on the main Arras-Cambria road, near the Canal du Nord.’
War Diary of the 18th Battalion CEF 