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May 13, 1898
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Born at Lindsay
Ontario to John Birdgenaw and Josephine Baudry
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Sep 10, 1915
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Attested into
the 93rd Battalion at Peterborough Ontario
Ø Number 195013
Ø Next of kin given as John Birdgenaw (father) of 281 Perry St,
Peterborough Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Cook
Ø Previous military experience given as 1 year in the 57th
Regiment, Canadian Militia
Ø Religion given as Roman Catholic
Ø Assigned to “A” Company
On
Attestation, he lied about his age, stating that his birth date was May 4, 1897.
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Jul 15, 1916
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Embarked the SS
Empress of Britain at Halifax Nova Scotia
It is worthy
here to note that his brother, Daniel, also joined the 93rd Battalion and
sailed with him on this date. They had both
been employed at Matthews-Blackell. Frank as
a Cook and his brother as a Sausage Maker
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Jul 25, 1916
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Disembarked at
Liverpool England
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Oct 6, 1916
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The 93rd
Battalion was absorbed into the 39th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling Camp
near Hythe Kent
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Oct 27, 1916
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Posted to the 21st
Battalion
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Oct 28, 1916
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Arrived at the
CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion
This was
originally posted as taking place on November 3, 1916, but later corrected
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Nov 21, 1916
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Arrived at the 2nd
Entrenching Battalion from the CBD
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Nov 26, 1916
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Joined the 21st
Battalion in the field from the 2nd Entrenching Battalion
The Battalion was in Brigade Support at Calonne
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Jan 17, 1917
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The 21st
Battalion was engaged in a large Trench Raid near Calonne.
They captured a large number of prisoners and inflicted many casualties. The 21st Battalion suffered 73
casualties, consisting of 11 Other Ranks being killed and 61 wounded, with 1 Officer
wounded.
Pte Frank
Birdgenaw was one of those killed
Maroc British Cemetery
Grenay France
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Oct 27, 1917
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Frank’s
brother, Daniel, was killed in action at Passchendaele as a member of the 52nd
Battalion. They had both joined the 93rd
Battalion and sailed to England together. Daniel
is commemorated on the Menin Gate
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Dec 13, 1920
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Beginning on
this and on subsequent dates the following were sent to his father at 281 Perry St,
Peterborough Ontario
Ø Scroll
Ø Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny)
In addition,
the Cross of Sacrifice was sent to his mother, Josephine, at the same address
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Mar 28, 1923
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The British War
Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his father at the address above
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Daniel and Frank Birdgenaw (195013) were both included on the Matthews-Blackwell Ltd. 1914
- 1918 Roll of Honour. Matthews-Blackwell operated meat packing plants in Brantford, Hull,
Montreal, Peterborough and Toronto. Image source: The Standard / Canada's Aid to the
Allies and Peace Memorial. Edited by Frederick Yorston. Published by the Montreal Standard
Publishing Co., Ltd., Montreal. This large Souvenir Edition magazine included Rolls of
Honour for various prominent Canadian businesses.
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