Harry Alexander Gummer


Jun 9, 1885

Born in London, England to Arthur Wellesley and Eugene (nee Parker) Gummer

In January of 1905 Harry married Ruth Smith in Croydon, England

 

Jun 30, 1914

Shown on the payroll of the 41st Regiment, Brockville Rifles with the rank of Private in “C” Company

 

Nov 3, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 59402 (temporary number 72)

Ø  Next of kin given as Arthur W Gummer, brother, Croydon, Surrey, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 2 years in the 41st Regiment, Brockville Rifles

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “A” Company

The 21st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

 

May 15, 1915

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

 

Aug 5, 1915

Next of kin changed to read Mrs. Ruth K. Gummer, wife, c/o Dr. Duncan, 14 White Horse Rd., West Croydon, England

 

Aug 30, 1915

Forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

May 11, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza.  The diagnosis was later changed to Enteritis and then to Dysentery

 

May 15, 1916

Transferred to the division rest station at Mont des Cats, France

 

May 22, 1916

Discharged from the rest station and rejoined the 21st Battalion

 

Jul 21, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Neurasthenia

 

Jul 23, 1916

Transferred to the No. 2 Division Rest Station

 

Jul 27, 1916

Transferred to the Convalescent Company when he accidentally sprained his left ankle

 

Aug 25, 1916

Transferred to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux

 

Aug 27, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne

 

Aug 29, 1916

Transferred to the No. 5 Convalescent Depot in Cayeux

 

Sep 18, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and transferred to the base depot in Havre and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

 

Oct 4, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Gummer joined the 2nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Albert

 

Oct 6, 1916

After leaving the entrenching battalion he rejoined the 21st Battalion in Albert

 

Nov 1, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

 

Nov 14, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from leave

 

Nov 18, 1916

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), a fever sometimes referred to as Trench Fever

 

Nov 22, 1916

Transferred to the 2nd Division Rest Station at the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance

 

Dec 2, 1916

Discharged to duty from the rest station

 

Dec 5, 1916

Admitted to the No. 13 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads PUO

 

Dec 18, 1916

Attached to the 4th Field Company, Canadian Engineers while in hospital

 

Jan 5, 1917

Transferred via the No. 12 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 4 General Hospital in Dannes-Camiers and the diagnosis was changed to read DAH (Disordered Activity of the Heart)

 

Jan 13, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples

 

Jan 17, 1917

Discharged to the base details in Etaples and ceased to be attached to the engineers

 

Jan 21, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre and classified TB (Temporary Base) meaning he was temporarily unfit for combat duty

 

Feb 9, 1917

Admitted to the No. 7 Canadian Stationary Hospital in Harfleur with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis

 

Feb 18, 1917

Discharged to the base depot in Havre from hospital

 

Mar 19, 1917

Medical classification changed to PB (Permanent Base) meaning he was not fit for combat duty and attached to the Canadian Corps Salvage Company for duty

 

Sep 27, 1917

Transferred to the 8th Canadian Area Employment Company.

 

Oct 15, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

 

Oct 29, 1917

Rejoined the salvage company from leave

 

Dec 26, 1917

Sentenced to 7 days Field Punishment #2 for being absent for 2 days and forfeited total of 9 day’s pay

 

Jun 25, 1918

Medical classification changed to B1, fit for non-combat duty because of a Deformed Foot

 

Jul 25, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool

 

Aug 3, 1918

Transferred to the 1st CIWB (Canadian Infantry Works Battalion)

 

Aug 29, 1918

Admitted to No. 64 West Lancashire Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Diarrhea and transferred to the No. 38 Casualty Clearing Station

 

Aug 30, 1918

Transferred to the No. 21 Casualty Clearing Station and the diagnosis was changed to read Dysentery

 

Sep 2, 1918

Transferred via the No. 41 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 14 Stationary Hospital

 

Sep 10, 1918

Transferred to the No. 7 General Hospital in Wimereux

 

Sep 20, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool

 

Oct 1, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 Rest Camp

 

Oct 3, 1918

Discharged to the Canadian General Base Depot in Havre

 

Oct 8, 1918

Transferred to the 1st Canadian Infantry Works Company and attached to the Canadian Labour Pool

 

Nov 6, 1918

Granted 14 days leave to England

 

Nov 24, 1918

Rejoined from leave

 

Jan 10, 1919

Embarked for England and transferred to the Canadian General Depot and attached to the 1st CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Witley

 

Jan 31, 1919

Ceased to be attached to the command depot

 

Mar 10, 1919

Attached to the 1st CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

 

Apr 2, 1919

Forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent

 

Apr 9, 1919

Embarked the SS Minnedosa in Liverpool

 

 

Apr 17, 1919

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick

 

Apr 20, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Saint John, New Brunswick

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 131113

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 265 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 532 Dundas St. West, Toronto, Ontario

 

Jan 26, 1928

Married to Elizabeth Ann Collins in Toronto, Ontario

Even though he stated he was a bachelor, it appears that Harry Gummer was still legally married to his first wife, Mrs. Ruth Gummer (nee Smith) living in Croydon, England.

 

Jan 11, 1929

Harry Gummer died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis while a patient of the Christie Street Hospital in Toronto, Ontario and was buried in the Prospect Cemetery 3 days later

 

His death was attributed to his wartime service

 

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his first and legal wife, Mrs. Ruth Gummer, 21 Holmes Rd., Broadway, West Croydon, London, England

 

There was no Memorial Cross issued.

 


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