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Feb 13, 1878
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Born in Midland, Ontario to John
and Elizabeth (nee Finnerty) Rathwell
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Apr 20, 1899
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Married to Jennie Stevens in
Merrickville, Ontario
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Dec 11, 1915
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Attested into the 93rd
Battalion CEF in Norwood, Ontario
Ø Number 195415
Ø Next of kin given
as Jennie Rathwell, wife, Norwood, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation
given as Plaster
Ø No previous
military experience given
Ø Religion given as
Presbyterian
Ø Assigned to “D”
Company
Initial training was done in
Peterborough, Ontario
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Jan 1, 1916
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Appointed to the provisional
rank of Lance Corporal
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Feb 2, 1916
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Appointed to the rank of
Provisional Corporal
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May 1, 1916
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Appointed to the provisional
rank of Sergeant
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May 29, 1916
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The battalion boarded a train and
proceeded to Kingston, Ontario to continue training at the Barriefield Camp
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Jul 15, 1916
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Embarked the Empress of
Britain in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Jul 25, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool,
England and proceeded to the Otterpool Camp
Appointed to the rank of
Acting Sergeant
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Oct 6, 1916
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Transferred to the 39th
Battalion in West Sandling
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Oct 7, 1916
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Reverted to the rank of
Private at his own request
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Oct 27, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
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Oct 28, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian
Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 102
reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion
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Nov 21, 1916
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After leaving the base depot,
Private Rathwell joined the 2nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in
Hersin as part of a draft of 62 reinforcements destined to join the 21st
Battalion
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Dec 12, 1916
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After leaving the entrenching
battalion John Rathwell joined the 21st Battalion in the front
line trenches west of Lens
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Mar 28, 1917
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Appointed to the rank of
Acting Lance Corporal without pay
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May 8, 1917
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Acting Lance Corporal
Rathwell’s company was supporting the 19th Battalion near Farbus
Wood, east of Thelus, France when they came under a heavy German artillery
barrage. John Rathwell was killed
during this attack and buried in a makeshift cemetery that was nearby. This cemetery was later renamed Beehive
British Cemetery after the name of the German machine gun post that had been
at that location.
Following the war, the British
War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial
Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. J. Rathwell, Norwood, Ontario
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John
Rathwell is honoured on the Norwood, Ontario War Memorial
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