Don Benjamin Landon



Jul 27, 1891

Born in Richmond, Ohio, USA to Benjamin Daniel and Bessie (nee Turner) Landon

 

Sep 29, 1915

Married to Florence “Flora” Young in St. Thomas, Ontario

 

Sep 30, 1915

Attested into the 70th Battalion CEF in St. Thomas, Ontario

Ø  Number 123885

Ø  Next of kin given as Flora Landon, wife, 56 Redan St., St. Thomas, Ontario

o   This was later changed to read 261 Sheffield Rd., Emsley, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Boiler Maker

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

 

Nov 6, 1915

Transferred to the 91st Battalion in St. Thomas, Ontario and assigned to “A” Company

 

Jun 25, 1916

The battalion boarded a train in St. Thomas to head off to war

 

Jun 29, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Jul 5, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Otterpool camp

 

Jul 15, 1916

Transferred to the 12th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

 

Aug 20, 1916

Transferred to the 75th Battalion

 

Aug 21, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 1,300 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 75th Battalion

 

Oct 8, 1916

While still at the base depot, Private Landon was transferred to the 21st Battalion without physically joining the 75th Battalion

 

Oct 9, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 21st Battalion in billets in Fieffes, France.  The battalion was resting and re-equipping after their heavy losses fighting on the Somme.  Private Landon was part of a draft of 80 reinforcements meant to replace some of those lost in the previous weeks of fighting

 

Jan 13, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from being on an unspecified course of instruction

 

May 21, 1917

He was reported to be sick and was admitted to the nearby field ambulance for treatment

 

May 22, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from the field ambulance

 

Aug 15, 1917

During the 21st Battalion’s attack on Hill 70 near Lens, France, Private Landon was initially reported missing in action, and later was determined to have been killed in action.  Because his body was either never recovered, or if so, was never identified, he is honoured on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those killed in France with no known grave

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. Flora Davey (she had remarried), 47 Arthur Ave., St. Thomas, Ontario


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