Thomas Clarence Bechraft


Thank you to Bruce Kettles for providing the service file

 

Jan 27, 1886

Born to John Edmund and Elizabeth (nee Frisbie) Bechraft at Ceilton Michigan

 

Jul 13, 1915

Entered Canada from the USA at Windsor Ontario and gave his occupation as being a Farmer

 

Jul 16, 1915

Attested into the 33rd Battalion at Windsor 

Ø      Number 1868

Ø      Next of kin given as Mr John Bechraft, father, of Rose City Michigan

Ø      Previous occupation given as Lawyer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

 

Aug 21, 1915

Transferred to the Military #2 District Cyclist Platoon and his number was changed to read 540038

 

Nov 25, 1915

Transferred to the 37th Battalion

 

Nov 27, 1915

Embarked the SS Lapland at Halifax Nova Scotia

 

Dec 5, 1915

Disembarked at Plymouth England and proceeded to the Bramshott Camp

 

Apr 29, 1916

Appointed to rank of Lance Corporal with pay

 

May 1, 1916

Promoted to rank of Corporal

 

Jul 1, 1916

Promoted to rank of Sergeant

 

Jul 6, 1916

TOS (Taken On Strength) the 39th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling Camp

 

Jul 13, 1916

Transferred to the 23rd Battalion at Dibgate

 

Aug 21, 1916

Appointed to a Commission as Lieutenant and posted to the General List of Officers 

Attached to the 39th Reserve Battalion

 

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Oct 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at Havre France and TOS the 21st Battalion

 

Oct 9, 1916

Joined the 21st Battalion at Fieffes France having come out of the front lines on the Somme

 

Dec 17, 1916

Proceeded on Bombing Course

 

Dec 25, 1916

Rejoined the Battalion from the Bombing Course

 

Apr 9, 1917

Killed in action during the attack at Vimy Ridge


Ecoivres Military Cemetery
Mont St-Eloi, France 

Below is what was sent to his father at Rose City Michigan USA following the war 

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll 

The Cross of Sacrifice was sent to his mother at the same address

 





Above is the family plot in the Rose City Cemetery, Ogemaw, Michigan USA with the Plaque (Dead Man's Penny) embedded in a separate marker.  Below is from the book A Surgeon In Arms by Capt RJ Manion MC , the Medical Officer of the 21st Battalion at the time of the attack at Vimy Ridge


Below is from the August 1973 issue of The Communiqué, the post war newsletter of the 21st Battalion Association


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