Percy William Gimblett

 

 

Aug 4, 1889

Born in Bowmanville, Ontario to William and Rhoda (nee Veal) Gimblett

 

Oct 11, 1917

Medical examination held under the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 in Oshawa, Ontario.  He was determined to be fit for service

 

Jan 11, 1918

Conscripted into the 1st Depot Battalion EOR (Eastern Ontario Regiment) in Kingston, Ontario under the MSA 

Ø      Number 3055925

Ø      Next of kin given as William Gimblett, father, Bowmanville, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Rubber Worker

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist

Ø      Assigned to the depot battalion’s 3rd Draft 

His training was carried out in the Kingston area

 

Feb 21, 1918

Embarked the SS Melita in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Mar 4, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Seaford where the draft was absorbed into the 6th Reserve Battalion to continue training

 

Aug 9, 1918

Posted to the 21st Battalion and arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Aug 13, 1918

Left the CIBD to join the battalion as part of a draft of 48 reinforcements

 

Aug 15, 1918

Joined the rear details of the 21st Battalion near Marcelcave as the battalion was in the front line near Fouquescourt, France.  He most likely joined the main part of the battalion when they came out of the line 2 days later

 

Aug 27, 1918

Just 12 days after joining the 21st Battalion, Private Percy Gimblett was killed during the advance on Vis-en-Artois and was buried in the nearby Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, France.  Also buried in this grave is Private WJ Stych 775573 who was killed on the same day serving with the 21st Battalion

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Rhoda Gimblett, PO Box 103, Bowmanville, Ontario 

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Mr. William Gimblett, at the same address

 

Private Percy Gimblett is commemorated on the Bowmanville, Ontario War Memorial





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