H. Ernest Houghton

 

Nov 25, 1893

Born in Manchester, England to William H. and Sarah Ann Houghton

 

Jul 27, 1915

Attested into the 76th Battalion CEF in Welland, Ontario 

Ø      Number 141692

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. Sarah Ann Houghton, mother, St. Davids, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Wallpaper Printer

Ø      Previous military experience given as 44th Regiment, Canadian Militia

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to No. 9 Platoon, “C” Company 

The battalion trained in Camp Niagara, Ontario

 

Nov 5, 1915

The battalion left the Niagara Camp for winter quarters 

“C” Company and “D” Company were quartered in the Armouries in Barrie, Ontario

 

Apr 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Empress of Britain in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

May 5, 1916

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

 

Jun 28, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Jun 29, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Jul 13, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Houghton joined the 21st Battalion during a battalion sports day in the Chippawa camp in La Clytte, Belgium

 

Oct 1, 1916

While the battalion was in the front line just east of the town of Courcelette, France, Private Houghton was acting as a Scout for the 4th Brigade Headquarters and came under enemy artillery fire.  He received wounds that required him to be evacuated to hospital.

 

Dec 8, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from hospital

 

Dec 11, 1916

Proceeded on the Machine Gun Course 

There is no date recorded in the file as to when he rejoined the battalion from course

 

Apr 16, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal without pay

 

May 13, 1917

While the battalion was in the front line trench system east of Vimy Ridge, Private Houghton received severe shrapnel wounds to his shoulder and head.  He was evacuated for treatment, first to an aid station then to the 2nd Australian General Hospital in Wimereux

 

May 17, 1917

Placed on the dangerously ill list

 

Jul 7, 1917

Private Houghton died of his wounds in the No. 2 Australian General Hospital and was buried in the Wimereux Communal Cemetery Extension, near Boulogne, France

 

 

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, William H. Houghton, St. David’s, Ontario

 

The Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. Sarah Ann Houghton, at the same address

 

The family plot in the St. Davids-Queenston United Church Cemetery also honours his loss

 

 

Ernest Houghton is remembered on the Niagara War Memorial

 

 

 


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