Jun 9, 1896

Born at London England

Mar 15, 1915

Attested into the 34^th Battalion at Guelph Ontario 

Ø     Number 402993 (initially issued as A2993)

Ø     Next of kin given as Mrs M Jocham (mother) of 49 Guinness Building, Brandon St., Walworth SE, London England

Ø     Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø     No previous military experience given

Ø     Religion given as Church of England

Aug 17, 1915

Embarked the SS Hesperian at Montreal Quebec

Aug 28, 1915

Disembarked at Liverpool England and transferred to the 9^th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe

Jan 19, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jan 20, 1916

TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion at the Canadian Base Depot in France

Feb 3, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The battalion was in the front line trenches on this date so he would have joined the rear detail until the battalion was relieved and moved into Brigade Reserve.

Oct 31, 1916

Proceeded on Lewis Gun Course at Le Touquet

Nov 9, 1916

At duty from course

Dec 9, 1916

Awarded the Military Medal as per London Gazette #29854

Although there is no citation in the files or in the London Gazette, given the timing of the award, I would suspect it was granted for action at the Somme the previous September.

Jan 16, 1917

Admitted to No 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) then transferred to No 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with a contusion to the head caused by an accident. 

On this date the Battalion was training for the large Calonne Trench Raid that took place the next day.  I assume that this accident happened under those circumstances, although there is no mention of it, either in the file or the War Diary.

Jan 18, 1917

Transferred to the No 4 Stationary Hospital at Arques

Jan 26, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Feb 7, 1917

Promoted to rank of Cpl

Mar 1, 1917

Killed in Action

Because his body was either never recovered, or never identified, he is commemorated on the Vimy Ridge Memorial 

The Battalion’s War Diary does not make note of any casualties for this date, the day prior, nor the day following, even though they were in the front lines at this time and do report enemy shelling.

Jan 20, 1922

Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal, and Memorial Cross were all sent to his mother at 52c Guinness Bldgs, Brandon St., Walworth SE 17, England.  These were sent at various times, this being the date of the last to be sent.