Arthur Redfearn




Mar 7, 1892

Born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England to Robert and Jane (nee Rowbotham) Redfearn

 

Dec 26, 1912

Married to Edith Greenwood in Leeds, Yorkshire, England

 

Jun 24, 1913

Embarked the SS Laurentic in Liverpool

 

  

Jul 2, 1913

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario

 

Jan 10, 1916

Attested into the 168th Battalion CEF in Ingersoll, Ontario

Ø  Number 675130

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Edith Redfearn, wife, Oxford St., Ingersoll, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

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

 

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

 

Nov 17, 1916

Edith Greenwood arrived in England to be near her husband and her address is changed to read 26 Black Union Grove, (off Methley Dr.) Chapeltown, Leeds, England

 

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling to continue training

 

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

 
Shortly after the formation of the battalion it moved to Seaford to continue training reinforcements for the front

 

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Nov 4, 1917

Overnight of November 3/4, while on the Passchendaele front near Crest Farm, Private Redfearn received shrapnel wounds to his right buttock and was taken to the battalion’s aid post for first aid

 

Nov 5, 1917

After being treated at the battalion’s aid post by the Medical Officer, he was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance).  After being assessed, he was transferred to the No. 44 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment.

 

Nov 6, 1917

Transferred via the No. 36 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 54 London General Hospital in Wimereux for further treatment

 

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the No. 12 Convalescent Depot in Aubengue, France to continue his recovery

 

Dec 7, 1917

Discharged from the convalescent depot and admitted to the No. 3 Rest Camp to continue his recovery

 

Dec 10, 1917

Following his discharge from the rest camp, Private Redfearn reported to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Havre and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

 

Dec 21, 1917

After leaving the base depot he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart

 

Jan 10, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

 

Feb 19, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, he rejoined the 21st Battalion resting in the Alberta Camp, near Carency, France, north of Mont-Saint-Eloi

 

Feb 22, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

 

Mar 14, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

 

Apr 5, 1918

While holding the front line at the Telegraph Hill Switch, south east of Agny, near Neuville Vitasse, under orders to “hold at all cost”, Private Arthur Redfearn was killed instantly when an artillery shell made a direct hit on the funk hole he was sheltering in.   He was subsequently buried in the Bellacourt Military Cemetery, south west of Arras, France

 

 
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. Edith Refearn, 26 Black Union Grove, Chapeltown, Leeds, England

 

Nov 3, 1923

Arthur’s widow, Edith, remarried to Leo Francis Boulger in Castleford, Yorkshire, England

 

 

Arthur Redfearn is honoured on the Ingersoll, Ontario War Memorial (above)
and the Sons of England Memorial, also in Ingersoll (below)

 

 

2008

During the Remembrance Day ceremonies in 2008, Veteran's Affairs Canada conducted a vigil each night for the week leading up to November 11.  This vigil consisted of projecting the names of every Canadian soldier who is listed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on various buildings and monuments across Canada, and in London England.  The photo below shows Pte Arthur Redfearn's name being projected on the outside wall of Canada House in London England.




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