Jun 10, 1894

Born in Festus, Missouri, USA to Dolf and Merideth (nee Rutlege) Fonton

Aug 27, 1912

Crossed the border from the USA into Coutts, Alberta stating that he was proceeding to Lethbridge, Alberta to work as a farmer

Jun 22, 1917

Attested into the 4^th Division Signal Training Depot in Calgary, Alberta 

Ø      Number 2265777

Ø      Next of kin given as Mr. John Fonton, brother, St. Genevieve, Missouri, USA

o       This was later changed to Mrs. G.V. Fonton, wife, St. Genevieve, Missouri, USA

Ø      Previous occupation given as Gas Engineer and Auto Mechanic

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic

Sep 20, 1917

Married to Beatrice Mitchell in Ottawa, Ontario

Nov 24, 1917

Embarked the SS Megantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia as part of the 13^th Draft of the Signal Training Draft, Canadian Engineers

Nov 29, 1917

Admitted to the ship’s infirmary with a diagnosis that reads Chancroid, a symptom of Syphilis.  He claimed to have been infected prior to November 20 in Ottawa, Ontario

Dec 7, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Seaford and was TOS (Taken On Strength) the CETD (Canadian Engineer Training Depot) to continue training

Dec 17, 1917

Admitted to the Cherryhinton Military Hospital in Cambridge with a diagnosis that reads VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis)

Dec 19, 1917

Transferred to the 7^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford for pay purposes while in hospital

Feb 15, 1918

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Feb 18, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 23, 1918

Fined 21 day’s pay for “prejudice of good order and conduct”

Aug 17, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Aug 18, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 262 reinforcements from England and TOS the 21^st battalion

Aug 23, 1918

Left the CIBD and joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast

Aug 28, 1918

Left the CC Rein C and joined the 21^st Battalion Rear Details in Achicourt while the fighting elements of the battalion were engaged in combat at Telegraph Hill

Sep 23, 1918

During an enemy attack near Canal du Nord, Private Fonton was wounded in the head and feet by machine gun fire and suffered the effects of poison gas.  He was evacuated to the No. 23 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment

Sep 24, 1918

Private George V. Fonton died of his wounds the next day while at the No. 23 CCS and was subsequently buried in the nearby Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, France 

The headstone was almost completely faded when the photo was taken in 2013

 Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. B. Fonton, 53 Clarence St., Ottawa, Ontario