Charles John Lighten


 

Feb 15, 1897

Born in West Ham, Essex, England

 

Nov 14, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario 

Ø      Number 59589 (temporary number) 88)

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. Annie Lighten, mother, 108 Plaistow Rd., West Ham, Essex, England

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as church of England

Ø      Assigned to the Depot Company 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

May 15, 1915

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

 

May 25, 1915

Placed in detention for an unrecorded offence

 

Jun 2, 1915

Released from detention

 

Jun 3, 1915

Employed as a Cook with extra Cook’s pay

 

Jul 24, 1915

The next of kin was changed to read Mrs. Rose Lighten, wife when he produced his marriage certificate.  Her residence was given as 5 Churchton Ave., Upton Manor, Sussex, England

 

Sep 2, 1915

Posted to “C” Company from the Depot Company

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Oct 1, 1915

Ceased to draw Cook’s duty pay

 

Mar 20, 1916

Granted 9 days leave

 

Apr 30, 1916

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Lumbago and Bronchitis

 

May 4, 1916

Transferred to the Division Rest Station

 

May 6, 1916

Transferred to the North Midland Casualty Clearing Station

 

May 14, 1916

Discharged to duty from the casualty clearing station

 

Jun 14, 1916

While the battalion was in trench numbers 33 to 38 near Verbrande Molen, Belgium, they came under intense enemy artillery fire, in addition to some “friendly fire” from our own artillery that dropped short of intended targets.  Private Lighten was killed during the barrage and buried in the nearby Bedford House Cemetery

Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. Rose Lighten, 5 Churchton Ave., Upton Manor, Sussex, England 

A Memorial Cross was also sent to his mother, Mrs. Lighton, 108 Plarston Rd., West Ham, Essex, England

 


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