Sydney Edward Betts

Thank you to Bruce Kettles for providing the service file

 

Apr 22, 1891

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

 

Nov 21, 1917

Attested into the 1st 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 1st Depot Battalion EOR 2nd Draft

Note that the ship did not sail until January 27th

 

Feb 6, 1918

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

 

Feb 15, 1918

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

 

Aug 9, 1918

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

 

Aug 13, 1918

Left the CIBD to join the Battalion

 

Aug 15, 1918

Pte Betts joined the 21st 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 21st 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


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