Robert John Hoover
 

May 29, 1900

Born in Turriff, Ontario to Albert and Jennie (nee Loney) Hoover

 

Feb 24, 1917

Attested into the 254th Battalion CEF in Bancroft, Ontario 

Ø      Number 1093349

Ø      Next of kin given as Albert Hoover, father, Turriff, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Brethren

o       Later noted as Presbyterian 

He lied about his age stating that he had been born in 1898, not 1900 

The battalion trained in the Belleville area

 

Jun 2, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Jun 9, 1917

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

 

Jun 26, 1917

Admitted to the Raven’s Croft Military Hospital in Seaford with a diagnosis that reads Mumps

 

Jul 18, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion 

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 12 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Nov 17, 1917

Left the base depot and joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart

 

Nov 24, 1917

Joined the 21st Battalion in the front lines near Acheville

 

Nov 29, 1917

Attached to the 4th Field Company of the Canadian Engineers for duty

 

Dec 11, 1917

Rejoined the 21st Battalion from the field company

 

Apr 2, 1918

The battalion came under an enemy artillery barrage overnight April 1-2 and Private Hoover received severe wounds to his backside and was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid, where he succumbed to his wounds.  He was buried shortly after in the Bellacourt Military Cemetery, south west of Arras, France.

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his father, Mr. Albert Hoover, Turriff, Ontario 

Because his mother Jennie died September 20, 1918, after Robert, but before the medals were dispatched, his father received the Memorial Cross

 

Robert Hoover is honoured on the Bancroft, Ontario War Memorial

 


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