George Wilson Howden

Aug 31, 1888

Born in Lindsay, Ontario to William and Susan (nee Kerr) Howden

 

Jul 12, 1915

Married to Mary Hutchinson in Cobourg, Ontario

 

Mar 2, 1917

His wife, Mary, died of Septic Septicemia while a patient of the Oshawa, Ontario Hospital

 

Apr 23, 1917

Attested into the 252nd Battalion CEF in Lindsay, Ontario

Ø  Number 1087331

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. R.W. Martin, mother, 42 Whitney Ave., Detroit, Michigan, USA

Ø  Previous occupation given as Railroad Brakeman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

The battalion trained in the Lindsay, Ontario area

 

May 29, 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

 

Sep 2, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 16, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

 

Oct 14, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Howden joined the 21st Battalion in Villers au Bois, France

 

Nov 11, 1917

While in the front line at Passchendaele, Belgium, Private Howden received shrapnel wounds to his left arm and both legs.  He was evacuated to the No. 1 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 2 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station).  Surgery was performed at the casualty clearing station to remove shrapnel from his wounds

 

Nov 12, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 British Red Cross Hospital in Etaples

 

Nov 15, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen

 

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Chester War Hospital

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Dec 7, 1917

Transferred to the Hoole Bank Auxiliary Military Hospital in Chester

 

Feb 27, 1918

Transferred to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital in Buxton

 

May 1, 1918

Surgery performed to repair damage to his right foot

 

Aug 13, 1918

Attached to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Seaford for physical training and exercise

Granted 10 days sick leave

 

Sep 9, 1918

Discharged from hospital care and attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

 

Sep 23, 1918

Embarked the SS Cardiganshire in London

 

 

Oct 7, 1918

Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec and proceeded to London, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 1 Casualty Company

 

Oct 9, 1918

Granted leave until October 23, 1918

 

Nov 1, 1918

Medical exam in London notes that he suffers from partial loss of function of right leg causing difficulty in walking and limitation of movement of his left hand, due to his wounds suffered from a shell explosion

 

Nov 8, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in London, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 28 Montgomery Ave., Detroit, Michigan, USA

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 334 West 7th St., San Pedro, California, USA

 

Apr 15, 1922

Married to Elma Drewitz in Detroit, Michigan, USA

 

Jan 29, 1972

George Wilson Howden died in Peterborough, Ontario and was buried in the Saint John’s Cemetery, Ida, Ontario

  

 


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