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Nov 24, 1890
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Born in Norttinghamshire, England to Ernest and
Christine (nee Clark) Custance
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May 30, 1914
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Married to Dinah Kay, (sister of Thomas Kay who
later joined the 21st Battalion) in Peterborough, Ontario. Robert’s occupation is listed as Teamster
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Nov 4, 1914
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Attested into the 21st Battalion in
Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 59230 (temporary number 510)
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs. RC Custance, wife, 276 Wolfe St.,
Peterborough, Ontario
o His wife moved to Bury, Lancashire, England (where she was born) at
some point after the battalion arrived in West Sandling
Ø Previous occupation given as Lace Machine Operator
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Church of England
Ø Assigned to “E” Company
o This was later reorganized into “C” Company
The battalion trained in the Kingston area
through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries
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Dec 4, 1914
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Promoted to the rank of Corporal and appointed
to the provisional rank of Lance Sergeant
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Jan 12, 1915
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Admitted to the Kingston Hospital with a
diagnosis that reads Influenza
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Jan 21, 1915
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Discharged to duty from hospital
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May 1, 1915
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Promoted to the
provisional rank of Sergeant
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport, England and the
battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training
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Jul 1, 1915
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Confirmed in the rank of Sergeant
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the
battalion proceeded to St. Omer
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Nov 6, 1915
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Proceeded to the Trench Warfare School
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Nov 13, 1915
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Rejoined the battalion from the School
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Jan 18, 1916
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Granted 9 days leave
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Jan 30, 1916
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Rejoined the battalion from leave
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Sep 15, 1916
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During the battalion’s advance on a German
strong point in a sugar refinery at Courcelette as part of the Somme offensive, Sergeant
Custance received a shrapnel wound in the right forearm and received first at the dressing
station
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Sep 16, 1916
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Admitted to the No. 10 General Hospital in Rouen
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Sep 17, 1916
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Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship
Maheno
On arrival in England admitted to the Carrington
Hospital, Nottingham where the shrapnel was removed from his arm.
Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly
Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital
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Oct 5, 1916
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Transferred to the Kings Canadian Red Cross
Hospital, Bushey Park
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Nov 10, 1916
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Discharged from hospital and reported to the
CCAC in Shoreham
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Nov 24, 1916
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Attached to the CCD (Canadian Convalescent
Depot) for 4 weeks of Physical Therapy
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Mar 10, 1917
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Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental
Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital and placed On Command to the 3rd CCD
(Canadian Convalescent Depot) and admitted to the St. Leonard’s Hospital to continue
his recovery
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May 17, 1917
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Discharged from St. Leonard’s Hospital and
TOS the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford
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Sep 10, 1917
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Appointed to the position of Acting Company
Quartermaster Sergeant with pay and allowances
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Oct 18, 1917
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Appointed as Acting Company Sergeant Major with
pay and allowances
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Dec 2, 1917
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Posted to the 21st Battalion
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Dec 5, 1917
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Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry
Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 418 reinforcements from England and
TOS the 21st Battalion
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Dec 7, 1917
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Left the CIBD to join his unit
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Dec 13, 1917
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Rejoined the 21st Battalion in
billets in the Cellars Camp near Neuville St. Vaast
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Apr 2, 1918
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During the night of April 1-2, the battalion
came under attack in the trenches near Neuville Vitasse and A/CSM Custance received severe
shrapnel wounds to his back and legs. After
being given first aid in the Regimental Aid Post, he was transported to the No. 1 CFA
(Canadian Field Ambulance) where he died of his wounds and was buried in the Faubourg Demiens
Cemetery, Arras France
Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War
Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent
to his widow, Mrs. R.C. Custance, 276 Wolfe St., Peterborough, Ontario
A second Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs.
Chrissie Norton, 107 Lea Road, Northamptonshire, England
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