Mar 15, 1878

Born in Port Burwell, Ontario to Obed Edoms and Hilda Maria (nee Pettit) Light

Mar 14, 1916

Attested into the 168^th Battalion CEF in Tillsonburg, Ontario

Ø  Number 675760

Ø  Next of kin given as Maria Light, mother, Port Burwell, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Tinsmith and Plumber

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as church of England

 
Even though his birth year is recorded on his birth registration as 1878, he gave his birth year as 1877 on attesting

 
The battalion initially trained in Camp Francis near London, Ontario before moving to Camp Borden to continue training

Jun 21, 1916

Admitted to the London Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Grippe (influenza)

Jun 26, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 30, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nov 11, 1916

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

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the battalion it was moved to Seaford to train troops for the front

Jan 18, 1917

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads Hemorrhoids

Jan 25, 1917

Surgery performed to remove the Hemorrhoids

Feb 9, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 19, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Mar 20, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 67 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion.  Shortly after his arrival in France he joined the 21^st Battalion at that front

May 9, 1917

While in front line trenches and under command of the 20^th Battalion his company came under a heavy enemy artillery attack in the vicinity of Fresnoy.  Private Light received severe wounds to his face, shoulder and left arm.  He was evacuated to the nearby field ambulance for first aid

May 10, 1917

Transferred to the No. 18 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment.

May 13, 1917

Private Thomas Light died of his wounds while at the No. 18 CCS

May 14, 1917

Private Light was buried in the nearby Lapugnoy Military Cemetery by Rev. R.A. Stewart

 
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Maria Light, Port Burwell, Ontario

 
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Mr. Light, at the same address

Thomas Henry Light is honoured on the Port Burwell, Ontario War Memorial