John "Jack" Henry Askew

 

Jun 25, 1899

Born in East Dulwich, London, England to John Joseph and Mary Ann (nee Westlake) Askew

On the 1911 Canadian Census he reports that he arrived in Canada in 1906

 

Jul 26, 1915

Shown on the payroll of the 46th Regiment in Port Hope, Ontario

 

Aug 5, 1915

Transferred to the 59th Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

 

Aug 7, 1915

Attested into the 59th Battalion in Kingston, Ontario 

Ø      Number 455144

Ø      Next of kin given John J. Askew, Oshawa, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Baptist

Ø      Assigned to “B” Company 

On attestation he lied about his age, stating that he was born June 25, 1897.  This made his actual age on enlistment 16 years of age 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area

 

Apr 1, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Apr 11, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Shorncliffe to continue training

 

Jun 25, 1916

Charged with being improperly dressed on Church Parade and sentenced to 3 days CB (Confined to Barracks)

 

Jul 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling. 

 

Aug 5, 1916

Charged with Not Complying with a Battalion Order regarding the folding of blankets.  Sentenced to 2 days CB

 

Aug 27, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Aug 28, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 12, 1916

Left the CBD and joined the 2nd Entrenching Battalion in Albert

 

Sep 16, 1916

Left the entrenching battalion and joined the Rear Party of 21st Battalion.  The main part of the battalion was involved in heavy fighting on the Somme at Courcellete.  He would have joined the main part of the battalion when they were relieved from the front

 

Oct 19, 1916

Attached to the 4th FCCE (Field Company Canadian Engineers) for duty

 

Nov 12, 1916

Rejoined the 21st Battalion from the engineers

 

Dec 2, 1916

Proceeded on the Lewis Machine Gun Course.  There is no mention of when he returned from that course, however his personal account says it was a couple of weeks.

 

Mar 11, 1917

Sent to the CBD in Havre pending returning to England

 

Mar 21, 1917

Proceeded to England and posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) pending discharge as a minor

 

Mar 23, 1917

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

May 22, 1917

Charged with Overstaying a pass from Reville to 9 am.  Sentenced to 7 days CB

 

Aug 3, 1917

Admitted to the Preston Barracks Military Hospital in Brighton with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

 

Aug 9, 1917

Transferred to the Military Hospital in Chichester

 

Nov 7, 1917

Transferred to the Court Farm Military Hospital in Warlingham

 

Apr 3, 1918

Charged with Willful Misconduct by breaking out of the hospital at about 8.30 am April 2, and not returning until being apprehended by Military Police at 7.00 am the following day.  Sentenced to a forfeiture of 7 days pay, plus an additional 2 days pay under Royal Warrant for the absent time

 

May 15, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

 

Jun 19, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital and posted to the EORD and attached to the 3rd Canadian Convalescent Depot for duty

 

Jul 14, 1918

Charged with WOAS (While On Active Service) 

  1. absent without leave from 8.50 pm Fire Piquet
  2. absent without leave from Tattoo Roll call 9 pm until reporting to the Guard Room at 10.30 pm (1 hour 30 minutes)

He was sentenced to 7 days CB

 

Jul 25, 1918

Charged with breaking out of camp at 8.00 am and returning at 11.00 am.  Sentenced to 7 days Field Punishment No. 2

 

Aug 8, 1918

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Nov 18, 1918

Transferred to the EORD but remained attached to the 6th Reserve Battalion

 

Nov 20, 1918

Ceased to be attached to the reserve battalion

 

Dec 13, 1918

Attached to the 1st CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

 

Dec 23, 1918

Embarked the SS Tunisian in Liverpool

 

Jan 3, 1919

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario and posted to the Casualty Company at the Exhibition Camp

 

Jan 5, 1919

Granted leave with subsistence until January 19, 1919 

His address on leave was given as Oshawa, Ontario

 

Jan 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario 

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Oshawa, Ontario 

Following the war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 157 Nassau St., Oshawa, Ontario

 

May 28, 1919

Married to Hazel Daines in Oshawa, Ontario 

Hazel had been previously married, her maiden name was Hazel Reta Madlin Corner

 

 

 

Jul 23, 1980

Jack Askew died in Oshawa, Ontario

 



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