Frederick Hamson
 

Oct 6, 1886

Born in Lancashire, England

 

Sep 23, 1911

Married in England to Clara Hamson

 

Mar 4, 1914

Embarked the SS Victorian in Liverpool, England

 

Mar 12, 1914

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Hamilton, Ontario

 

Jul 28, 1915

Attested into the 76th Battalion CEF in Hamilton, Ontario 

Ø      Number 141332

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. Clara Hamson, wife, 11 Alice St., Hamilton, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Bricklayer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to 4 Platoon, “A” Company

o       He was later assigned to the battalion’s 1st Draft

 

Sep 23, 1915

Sentenced to 3 days CB (Confined to Barracks) for absence

 

Oct 1, 1915

Embarked the SS Scandinavian in Montreal, Quebec

 

Oct 10, 1915

Disembarked in Portsmouth, England and proceeded to West Sandling where the draft was absorbed into the 39th Reserve Battalion to continue training

 

Dec 6, 1915

SOS (Struck Off Strength) the battalion strength after being declared a deserter

It was later discovered that he had been admitted to the 2nd Western General Hospital in Manchester with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis

 

Jan 3, 1916

Transferred to the Victoria Auxiliary Home Hospital in Strafford

 

Feb 15, 1916

Transferred to the Hillingdon House Canadian Hospital in Uxbridge

 

Apr 22, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital and immediately re-admitted with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

In an interview, he stated that he most likely became exposed to the disease a week earlier while on a day pass from the hospital

 

Apr 23, 1916

Transferred to the Military Hospital in Shorncliffe

 

Apr 25, 1916

Transferred to the Barnwell Military Hospital in Cambridge

 

Jun 22, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the new battalion, it moved to Seaford

 

Apr 21, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 22, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of about 3,000 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

May 21, 1917

After leaving the CBD, Private Hamson joined the 21st Battalion in the support trenches near Vimy Ridge as part of a draft of 149 reinforcements from the CBD

 

Aug 15, 1917

During the battalion’s attack on Hill 70, near Lens, Private Hamson was killed in action.  When the fighting subsided, his body could not be located and he is subsequently honoured on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France.

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. Clara Hamson, c/o Mrs. Kays, Harmony St., off Barton St. E., Hamilton, Ontario

 


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