Frederick William Boniface



Feb 21, 1897

Born in Portsmouth, England to Caleb and Jane (nee King) Boniface

 

May 9, 1914

Embarked the SS Laurentic in Liverpool

 

 

May 16, 1914

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Ingersoll, Ontario to join his uncle

 

Jan 6, 1916

Attested into the 168th Battalion in Ingersoll, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 675032

Ø  Next of kin given as Charles Boniface, father, 151 Westbourne St., Hove, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Tinsmith

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

The battalion initially trained in Camp Francis, near London, Ontario before moving to Camp Borden near Barrie to continue training

 

Oct 30, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Nov 11, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, to continue training

 

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 39th Battalion in West Sandling to continue training

 

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the battalion, it moved to Seaford to train reinforcements for the front

 

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 85 reinforcements and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

May 5, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Boniface joined the 21st Battalion in Division Support, west of Vimy Ridge

 

May 9, 1917

During an enemy artillery barrage, Private Boniface received shrapnel wounds to his right hand, legs and face.  He was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transferred to the No. 12 Canadian Field Ambulance. 

 

May 10, 1917

Transferred to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, France

 

May 16, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Andrew

 

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Fort Pitt Military Hospital, Chatham

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

May 17, 1917

Transferred to the Yacht Club VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital), Gravesend

 

Aug 31, 1917

Transferred to the Fort Pitt Military Hospital, Chatham

 

Sep 5, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Epsom

 

Oct 19, 1917

Attached to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for rehabilitation

 

Feb 20, 1918

Discharged from hospital care and transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Apr 11, 1918

Transferred to the 21st Battalion and arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 16, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

 

May 15, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Boniface rejoined the 21st Battalion north of Mercatel, France

 

Sep 24, 1918

After relieving the 18th Battalion in the front line just west of Canal du Nord, France, Private Boniface received shrapnel wounds to his head and he was evacuated to the 2/1 London Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 23, CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Sep 26, 1918

Transferred via the No. 14 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 22 General Hospital in Camiers, France where surgery was performed by opening a hole in his skull to relieve pressure on the brain.

Following surgery, he suffered from headaches and dizziness

 

Oct 8, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

 

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Bethnal Green Military Hospital, Cambridge Road, London

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

 

 

Nov 27, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Bearwood

 

Dec 4, 1918

Discharged from hospital with 10 days sick leave and instructions to report to the 6th Reserve Battalion on December 14, 1918

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Dec 27, 1918

Attached to MD #3, Kinmel Park pending return to Canada

 

Jan 11, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

 

 

Jan 17, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to London, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength Military District No. 1 Casualty Company

 

Jan 20, 1919

Granted leave until February 5, 1919

 

Feb 6, 1919

Medical Board in London notes

Ø  Patient suffered a shrapnel wound to his head

Ø  Has a Trephine hole in top of head from surgery in France

Ø  There is a depressed hole in scalp ½ inch in diameter with bone missing

Ø  Patient suffers from headaches when he lies down

 

Feb 11, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in London, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 245981

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C52577

Ø  Proposes residence on discharge Ingersoll, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at RR #2 Burgessville, Ontario

 

Oct 7, 1919

Married to Elizabeth Hutchison in East Missouri Township, Ontario

 

Mar 24, 1969

Frederick William Boniface died in Ingersoll, Ontario and was buried in the Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Cemetery, Thamesford, Ontario

 

 


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