Albert Edwin Baldwin, MM

 

 

Dec 23, 1889

Born at Hull, Yorkshire England

 

Apr 10, 1917

Attested into the 254th Battalion at Belleville Ontario 

Ø      Number 1093398

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs Lillian Gardam Baldwin (wife) of 22 Green St. Belleville Ontario (the YMCA)

o       He also stated that he had 2 daughters, age 6 years and 1 year

Ø      Previous occupation given as Janitor

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist

 

May 29, 1917

Embarked the RMS Olympic at Halifax Nova Scotia

 

 

Jun 10, 1917

Disembarked at Liverpool England and the 254th Battalion was absorbed into the 6th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

 

Jul 11, 1917

Admitted to the Central Humber Garrison Hospital diagnosed with Tonsillitis

 

Jul 19, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Apr 11, 1918

Posted to the 21st Battalion 

Arrived at No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 16, 1918

Proceeded to the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

 

Apr 21, 1918

Joined the 21st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in the Support Trenches at Neuville Vitasse.  On this date the War Diary makes note of a draft of 22 Other Ranks arriving at the Rear Detail's position behind the lines.  It also notes that these reinforcements were moved forward to join the rest of the Battalion in the Support Trenches 2 days later.

 

Aug 15, 1918

On this date the Battalion had been relieved from the Front Line trench and were on their way to the rear.  While passing through the village of Foquescourt, they came under an artillery barrage of over 500 shells, many of which were gas shells. 

Pte Baldwin was exposed to poison gas from one of those shells and received severe burns.  Admitted to No 11 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance), then transferred same day to No 47 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station). 

Later that day he was loaded onto the No 24 AT (Ambulance Train)

 

Aug 19, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Essequibo

  

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital

 

Aug 20, 1918

Admitted to the 3rd Western General Hospital at Cardiff

 

Sep 25, 1918

Transferred to the Convalescent Hospital at Epsom

 

Dec 16, 1918

Discharged from hospital and placed On Command to 1st CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) at Witley 

It is noted here that his vision is very weak and his eyes cause a lot of discomfort.  As a result he was fitted with glasses

 

Jan 7, 1919

Admonished and forfeits 8 days pay and allowances for being AWL (Absent Without Leave) from 1900 hrs December 26 to 1700 hrs January 3, 1919.  This was later amended to a total forfeiture of 11 days pay

 

Jan 14, 1919

Posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion

 

Jan 21, 1919

Awarded the Military Medal per London Gazette #31142

 

This was for his actions during the attack at Marcelcave on August 8, 1918

 

Jan 21, 1919

On Command to Kimmel Park Rhyl pending return to Canada

 

Feb 1, 1919

Embarked the SS Carmania at Liverpool

 

 

Feb 8, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia

 

Mar 1, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badge Class "A" issued number 90454

Ø      Rank on discharge Pte

Ø      Intended residence on discharge Belleville Ontario 

In 1934 he was elected to the Executive Committee of the Belleville Club of the 21st Battalion Association

 

Oct 16, 1964

Died at the Belleville General Hospital, Belleville Ontario 


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