Frederick Samuel Balsdon

 

 

Apr 25, 1893

Born in Lakefield, Ontario

 

Jan 5, 1915

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø      Number 59035 (temporary number 41)

Ø      Next of kin given as Mary Balsdon, mother, Lakefield, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      Previous military experience given as 2 weeks in the 46th Regiment, Canadian Militia, in Port Hope, Ontario

Ø      Religion given as Wesleyan

Ø      Assigned to “A” Company

o       He was later assigned to the Machine Gun Section 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Sep 22, 1915

Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment #2 for “stating a falsehood”

 

Jan 17, 1916

Private Balsdon was wounded in the chest overnight 17th/18th near Kemmel, Belgium, and received first aid from the battalion’s Medical Officer

 

Jan 18, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) and transferred the same day to the No. 2 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) in Bailleul, France for treatment

 

Jan 19, 1916

Transferred via the No. 5 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples

 

Feb 14, 1916

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot to continue his recovery

 

Feb 27, 1916

Classified as TB (Temporary Base) meaning that he is able to perform light duties and not able to serve at the front

 

Mar 1, 1916

Assigned to light duties at the No. 3 Base Depot in Etaples

 

Apr 18, 1916

Left the Base Depot to join the battalion

 

Apr 20, 1916

Rejoined the 21st Battalion in the front lines near Voormezeele

 

Oct 31, 1916

Proceeded on the Lewis Gun Course at Le Touquet, near Etaples

 

Nov 20, 1916

Attached to the Lewis Gun School as an instructor

 

Jan 24, 1917

Rejoined the 21st Battalion in billets in Bully Grenay from the Lewis Gun School

 

Jan 25, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

 

Feb 9, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

 

Feb 23, 1917

Returned to the Lewis Gun School as an instructor

 

Nov 13, 1917

Attached to the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) for employment in Calonne Ricouart

 

Feb 11, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

 

Feb 20, 1918

Attached to the 2nd Division Wing CCRC for duty

 

Feb 22, 1918

Ceased to be attached and TOS (Taken On Strength) the CCRC

Appointed Acting Sergeant with pay

 

Feb 26, 1918

Rejoined the CCRC from leave

 

Mar 9, 1918

Permission was granted for him to get married

 

Jul 5, 1918

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA diagnosed with ICT (Inter Connective Tissue) infection in his face

 

Jul 12, 1918

Transferred to the No. 4 CFA

 

Jul 17, 1918

Discharged to duty with the CCRC from hospital

 

Jan 12, 1919

Granted 14 days leave

 

Feb 27, 1919

Proceeded to England and TOS the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) Seaford pending return to Canada

 

Mar 8, 1919

Posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

 

Apr 1, 1919

On Command to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

 

May 13, 1919

Embarked the SS Minnedosa in Liverpool

 

May 20, 1919

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec

 

May 22, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Montreal

 

Ø      Rank on discharge Sergeant

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 303954

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Lakefield, Ontario

o       This was later changed to 433 Plymouth Ave., Buffalo, New York, USA

 

The 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Lakefield, Ontario

 

Jul 28, 1919

Entered the United States at Niagara Falls, New York, on his way to visit his sister, Mrs. Nellie Freeborough, at 698 Broadway, Ave., Buffalo, New York with his wife, Edith.

 

Aug 24, 1919

Entered the United States at Niagara Falls, New York, on his way to visit his sister, Mrs. Nellie Freeborough, at 698 Broadway, Ave., Buffalo, New York.  He listed his occupation as Motor Mechanic

 

Jul 16, 1936 Along with a large contingent of 21st Battalion veterans, Fred and Edith embarked the SS Montcalm in Montreal, Quebec to attend the unveiling of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France

The photo below shows part of that group, with Fred 2nd from the left seated in the 2nd row

 

May 6, 1957

Fred’s wife, Edith, died in Buffalo, New York

 

May 22, 1957

Just 16 days after his wife’s death, Fred Balsdon died in Buffalo.

 

 

The Peterborough, Ontario Wall of Honour commemorates the service of all those from the area that served during WW1.  Fred Balsdon's name is shown below




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