May 29, 1891

Born in London, England to Henry John and Mary Ann (nee Morkowsky) Eaton

 
His mother Mary passed away in 1897 and his father Henry died in 1903.

Jun 30, 1904

Embarked the SS Bavarian in Liverpool as a Home Child listed as “Dr. Thomas’ Children” (Dr. A.C. Thomas, of Father Berry’s Homes, Liverpool) and accompanied by Mr. Tupper

 
Walter Eaton is noted on the manifest as being from a Workhouse

Jul 9, 1904

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and Montreal is noted as his final destination

Dec 16, 1911

Married to Janet Drybough Grieve in Ottawa, Ontario

Feb 16, 1916

Attested into the 136^th Battalion CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Number 805353

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Janet Eaton, wife, 3 Bronson Ave., Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Painter

Ø  Previous military experience given as 1 year in the 2^nd Canadian Field Artillery

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

 
The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Jun 1, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal

Aug 25, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant

Sep 25, 1916

Embarked the SS Corsican in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 1, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Provisional Corporal while onboard ship

Oct 6, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp where the battalion was absorbed into the 39^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

 
Reverted to the permanent rank of Private on transfer to the 39^th Battalion

Jan 4, 1917

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

Jan 5, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal

Mar 17, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal

Jun 7, 1917

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request

Jun 15, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 16, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 40 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Jul 3, 1917

After leaving the base depot he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin as part of a draft of 8 Other Ranks destined to join the 21^st Battalion

Aug 20, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Eaton joined the 21^st Battalion in billets at Fosse 10 in France and was assigned to “D” Company

Sep 28, 1917

Admitted to the nearby field ambulance for an unrecorded illness

Oct 1, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from the field ambulance

Nov 3, 1917

The 21^st Battalion moved into the front lines at Passchendaele NE of Crest Farm shortly after 2 am.  The Germans were aware of this move and launched a determined attack and actually entered the 21^st Battalion trenches before being repelled.  The battalion suffered many casualties and Private Eaton was among those, suffering from shrapnel wounds to his legs and hips.  He was first treated at the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) before being transferred to the No. 3 Australian Casualty Clearing station for further treatment

Nov 4, 1917

Transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 14 Canadian General Hospital in Wimereux

Nov 6, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Ville de Liege

 
On arrival in England he was admitted to the General Military Hospital, Silver St., Edmonton, North London

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

Dec, 19, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bearwood Park, Wokingham

Jan 29, 1918

Attached to the 3^rd Canadian Convalescent Depot to continue his recovery

Mar 1, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Mar 21, 1918

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

Apr 15, 1918

Attached to the Aldershot Camp for duty

Jun 1, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal with pay

Dec 31, 1918

Declared to be AWL (Absent Without Leave) at midnight

 
There is no indication in the file as to when he returned to duty or of any punishment for his absence

Jan 9, 1919

Attached to Kinmel Park, Witley pending return to Canada

Jan 18, 1919

Embarked the SS Aquitania in Liverpool

Jan 24, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario

Jan 27, 1919

Granted leave with subsistence until February 10, 1919.  Address on leave 175 Drummond St., Ottawa, Ontario

Feb 19, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 81034

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 175 Drummond St., Ottawa, Ontario

 
Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medal (shown) were sent to him at 249 Florence St., Ottawa, Ontario

Apr 1, 1921

Residence on the Canadian Census shown as 249 Florence St., Ottawa, Ontario and occupation shown as Painter

Apr 1, 1935

Residence on Voter’s List shown as 1325 Comox St., Apt. 8, Vancouver, British Columbia and occupation listed as Janitor

Apr 29, 1957

Residence on Voter’s List shown as 39 40^th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia and occupation listed as Decorator

May 9, 1962

Residence on Voter’s List shown as 39 40^th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia and occupation listed as Retired

Feb 23, 1963

Residence on Voter’s List shown as 39 40^th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia and occupation listed as Retired

Apr 15, 1970

Walter’s wife Janet, died in Vancouver, British Columbia

Oct 14, 1971

Walter Edward Eaton died in Vancouver, British Columbia