Densmore Sawyer Ainsworth


Photo courtesy of Mildred Ainsworth McBride

Feb 17, 1873

Born in Hillier, Ontario to Philip and Sarah (nee Wicks) Ainsworth

 

Sep 11, 1895

Married to Cora Isabella Wilson in Hallowell Township, Ontario

 

Jun 19, 1913

Qualified for the rank of Lieutenant at Barriefield

 

Jun 15, 1914

Shown on the payroll of the 16th Regiment’s “C” Company with the rank of Captain

 

Jan 11, 1916

Officer’s Declaration on enlistment in the 155th Battalion at Wellington, Ontario

Ø  Rank Lieutenant

Ø  Next of kin given as Cora B. Ainsworth, wife, Wellington, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Merchant

Ø  Previous military experience given as Captain in 16th Prince Edward Regiment in Allisonville, Ontario

Ø  Religion given as Disciple

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

 

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

 

Dec 8, 1916

Transferred to the 154th Battalion in Bramshott

 

Jan 31, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion in East Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the battalion, it moved to Seaford to train reinforcements for the front

 

Jul 23, 1917

Attached to the OTB (Officer’s Training Battalion)

 

Aug 21, 1917

Rejoined the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Aug 28, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Aug 30, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 5, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Lieut Ainsworth joined the 21st Battalion resting in Villers Au Bois, France

 

Oct 2, 1917

Proceeded on course

 

Oct 13, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from course

 

Oct 29, 1917

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads General Debility.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 37 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Oct 30, 1917

Transferred via the No. 24 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 2 Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Rouen, France

 

Nov 2, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Panama

 

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 2nd Western General Hospital in Manchester and the diagnosis was changed to read Trench Fever

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Nov 26, 1917

Discharged from hospital

Granted sick leave for 1 month

 

Dec 27, 1917

Appeared before a Medical Board in London

Ø  Officer suffers from Tench Fever

Ø  States that he tires easily and cannot walk more than ½ hour before he has to sit down

Ø  He is easily excited

Ø  Board recommends that he be fit for Light Duty only in Canada

 

Dec 29, 1917

Rejoined the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot from London

 

Jan 4, 1918

Attached to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot)

 

Mar 1, 1918

Struck Off Strength of the establishment of the 21st Battalion

 

Mar 5, 1918

Ceased to be attached and reported to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford

 

Mar 8, 1918

Attached to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Apr 5, 1918

Attached to the OMF of C (Overseas Military Force of Canada) in Seaford pending return to Canada

 

Apr 8, 1918

Embarked the SS Mauritania in Liverpool

 

 

Apr 15, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Apr 19, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Lieutenant

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Wellington, Ontario

Transferred to the Reserve List of Officers

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Wellington, Ontario

Prior to his enlistment, Densmore Ainsworth was employed in the Furniture/Undertaking business.  This evolved into the Ainsworth Funeral Home in Wellington, Ontario.  He operated this with his son Wilson Ainsworth until his retirement in 1939.

For more information  click here

 

In 1936 he proceeded back to France with his comrades in the 21st Battalion for the unveiling of the Canadian National Vimy Ridge Memorial.  While in France, he toured the old battlefields and paid his respects to many of the fallen from the battalion

 

Aug 29, 1954

Densmore Sawyer Ainsworth died in Wellington, Ontario

 


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