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Dec 22, 1891
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Born in Huntingdon Township
(now part of the town of Madoc), Ontario
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Jan 26, 1916
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Attested into the 155th
Battalion CEF in Madoc, Ontario
Ø Number 636476
Ø Next of kin given as
Charles Mitts, brother, 80th Battalion, Belleville, Ontario. He is also listed as Charles Mittz and
Charles Mitty
o This was later
changed to Sylvenus Mitts, uncle, Crookston, Ontario
o A note was added to
also notify Walter Mitts, uncle, Sterling, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation
given as Labourer
Ø No previous
military experience given
Ø Religion given as
Methodist
The battalion trained in the
Kingston, Ontario area
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Oct 17, 1916
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Embarked the SS Northland in
Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Oct 28, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool,
England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott
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Dec 5, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
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Dec 6, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian
Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 147
reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion.
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Dec 8, 1916
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After leaving the base depot,
Private Mitts joined the 21st Battalion in billets in Bully
Grenay, France
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Aug 15, 1917
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The 21st Battalion
carried out an attack on Hill 70 near Lens, France. This was a massive event that was carried
out by the Canadian Corps to capture the high ground held by the German
army. Once the hill was captured, the
enemy mounted 21 counter attacks, often involving hand to hand combat and the
casualty rate was very high.
Private Mitts received a
bullet wound to his chest and was evacuated to the No. 6 Casualty Clearing
Station for treatment.
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Aug 16, 1917
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Private John Frank Mitts died
of his wounds at the No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station and was later buried in
the nearby Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, Barlin, France.
Following the war, the British
War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to Mr. Richard Fleming, friend,
Crookston, Ontario
There was no Plaque (Dead
Man’s Penny), Scroll or Memorial Cross issued as no next of kin could be
located
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James
Frank Mitts is honoured on the Madoc, Ontario War Memorial
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