Apr 22, 1891

Born to Edward William and Alice Caroline (nee Self) Betts at Gissing, Norfolk, England

Nov 21, 1917

Attested into the 1^st Depot Battalion EOR (Eastern Ontario Regiment) at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Number 3055072

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs Alice Caroline Betts, mother, of 30 Hill St, Norwich, England

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England, but noted as Anglican

Jan 22, 1918

Embarked the SS Scotian at Halifax Nova Scotia as part of the 1^st Depot Battalion EOR 2^nd Draft

Note that the ship did not sail until January 27^th

Feb 6, 1918

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to Seaford.  On arrival there the draft was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 7^th Reserve Battalion

Feb 15, 1918

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Aug 9, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion and arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples France, and TOS the 21^st Battalion

Aug 13, 1918

Left the CIBD to join the Battalion

Aug 15, 1918

Pte Betts joined the 21^st Battalion Rear Details near Rosieres-en-Santerre as the Battalion was under a gas attack at Foquescourt.  He was part of a draft of 48 reinforcements

Aug 26, 1918

11 days later, Pte Betts was declared Missing in Action during the advance on Vis-en-Artois France.  He was declared to have been Killed in Action on this date after his body was recovered

Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery
Haucourt France 

Note that the remains of another 21^st Battalion soldier, Pte Mackey   who was killed the same day, is also buried in the same grave, with Pte Betts on the bottom. 

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal Memorial Cross, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his mother, Mrs Alice Betts, at Forncett, St Mary NR, Norwich, England