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Nov 25, 1893
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Born in Manchester, England to William H. and
Sarah Ann Houghton
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Jul 27, 1915
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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
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Nov 5, 1915
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The battalion left the Niagara Camp for winter
quarters
“C” Company and “D” Company
were quartered in the Armouries in Barrie, Ontario
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Apr 23, 1916
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Embarked the SS Empress of Britain in Halifax, Nova
Scotia
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May 5, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the
battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training
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Jun 28, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Jun 29, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion
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Jul 13, 1916
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After leaving the base depot, Private Houghton
joined the 21st Battalion during a battalion sports day in the Chippawa camp in
La Clytte, Belgium
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Oct 1, 1916
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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.
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Dec 8, 1916
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Rejoined the battalion from hospital
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Dec 11, 1916
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Proceeded on the Machine Gun Course
There is no date recorded in the file as to when
he rejoined the battalion from course
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Apr 16, 1917
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Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal
without pay
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May 13, 1917
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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
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May 17, 1917
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Placed on the dangerously ill list
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Jul 7, 1917
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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
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Ernest Houghton
is remembered on the Niagara War Memorial
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