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Feb 14, 1889
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Born at
Cambridge Vermont, USA
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Apr 7, 1912
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Married to Anna
May Margaret Pohl at Toronto Ontario
He gave his religion
at that time as being Methodist and his new wife’s religion was given as Roman
Catholic
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Mar 25, 1916
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Attested into
the 156th Battalion at Ottawa Ontario
Ø Number 640011
Ø Next of kin given as Anna May Holbrook (wife) of the Cecil Hotel,
Ottawa Ontario
o After his enlistment, his wife moved to Dorchester Massachusetts USA
Ø Previous occupation given as Restaurant Manager
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Roman Catholic
On enlistment
he stated he had a 2 year old daughter named Anna Marie Holbrook
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Oct 18, 1916
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Embarked the SS
Northland at Halifax Nova Scotia
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Oct 28, 1916
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Disembarked at
Liverpool England and proceeded to the Witley Camp
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Nov 1, 1916
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Transferred to
the 120th Battalion at Bramshott
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Dec 28, 1916
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Admitted to the
Military Isolation Hospital at Aldershot diagnosed with Parotiditis and placed in
isolation. The diagnosis was later changed to
read Mumps
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Jan 9, 1917
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Transferred to
the 156th Battalion while still in hospital
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Jan 16, 1917
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Discharged from
hospital
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May 2, 1917
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Appointed to
rank of Acting Corporal with pay and the same day is appointed to rank of Acting Sergeant
without pay
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May 20, 1917
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Reverts to rank
of Pte in order to proceed to France
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May 23, 1917
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Transferred to
the 21st Battalion
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May 24, 1917
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Arrived at No 2
CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion
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Jun 10, 1917
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Left 2 CIBD for
unit
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Jun 11, 1917
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Joined the 21st
Battalion in the field
The Battalion was in billets at the
Coupigny Huts carrying out training exercises and participating in sporting activities
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Aug 25, 1917
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Proceeded on
course. The type and purpose was not recorded
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Sep 1, 1917
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Rejoined the
Battalion from course
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Oct 28, 1917
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Promoted to rank
of Corporal
This promotion was announced in the Battalion’s Part II Orders on
October 31, 1917, but the date for the promotion is shown as October 28, 1916. He is recorded as replacing Cpl AJ Hoddinott, 59470 who had been promoted on that date. However, it is clear from the file that Cpl
Holbrook was not TOS the 21st Battalion until May of 1917
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Nov 2, 1917
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Awarded the
Military Medal per London Gazette #30364
Citation
reads
For
conspicuous bravery and determination. While acting as a stretcher bearer, the line
as vigorously attacked by the enemy, and with a captured gun he mounted guard over a
dug-out in which was seven stretcher cases, including an Officer. He was enabled to
keep the enemy off until a party of twenty came to his relief and evacuated the
casualties, after which the party were forced to withdraw. This stretcher bearer
during the four days tour worked most assiduously under continuous shell and rifle fire.
AFW 3121
28-8-17
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Nov 3, 1917
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Admitted to No 6
CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) and then transferred to No 3 Australian CCS (Casualty
Clearing Station) with a shrapnel wound to his right arm
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Nov 5, 1917
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Transferred to
No 8 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux
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Nov 9, 1917
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Invalided to
England aboard the Hospital Ship Jan Breydel
Posted to
EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital
Admitted to 1st
London General Hospital at Camberwell
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Dec 12, 1917
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Transferred to
the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bromley
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Mar 8, 1918
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Discharged from
hospital and placed On Command to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) at
Seaford
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Apr 18, 1918
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Posted to the 6th
Reserve Battalion at Seaford
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Jul 24, 1918
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Appointed to
Acting Lance Sgt with pay
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May 18, 1919
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Embarked the SS
Aquitania at Southampton
TOS District
Depot No 4 at Montreal Quebec
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May 25, 1919
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Disembarked at
Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Montreal Quebec
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May 27, 1919
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Discharged from
the CEF at Montreal Quebec
Ø War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 299380
Ø Rank on discharge Lance Sergeant
Ø Proposed residence on discharge 396 West 4th Street, South
Boston Massachusetts USA
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Dec 23, 1928
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The British War
Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 538 East 4th Street, South Boston
Massachusetts USA. He was reported to still
be living at that address in January 1934
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