FJO Renaud

Frederick Joseph Oscar Renaud


Jun 5, 1888	Born at Ottawa Ontario
Jan 27, 1917	Attested at Ottawa Ontario into the 74^th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery Ø Number 344955 Ø Next of kin given as Mrs Esther Renaud (mother) of 367 Bell St., Ottawa Ontario Ø Occupation given as “Boiler Maker” Ø No previous service is recorded Ø Religion given as “Roman Catholic” Ø 1 Tattoo noted on right forearm Ø defective vision noted and recommended he be used as a driver in the Field Artillery
Mar 15, 1917	Transferred to the Reinforcing Draft of the 2^nd Battalion CEF
Mar 18, 1917	Embarked the Saxonia at Halifax
Apr 7, 1917	Disembarked at Liverpool England
Apr 8, 1917	TOS the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford
May 9, 1917	Eye exam at Canadian Military Hospital at Eastbourne, Sussex Complaint of poor vision Slight scar on cornea found, but not serious enough to cause a problem
May 23, 1917	Medical Board at Seaford Ø Complains of poor vision Ø Doctors doubt severity of vision complaint and order no glasses or treatment
May 25, 1917	Posted to the EORD at Seaford
Jun 28, 1917	Posted to Canadian Corps HQ Employment Coy at Seaford
Jul 12, 1917	Forfeits 3 days pay for being absent from roll call
Jul 20, 1917	Absent from roll call until 3.30 pm Jul 21
Jul 21, 1917	Absent from 9.00 pm until 5.30 pm Jul 22, 1917
Jul 23, 1917	Forfeits 3 days pay for absences and given 14 days Field Punishment No 1 for attempting to escape while under arrest
Jul 24, 1917	Admitted to No 12, CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) – then moved to No 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with Gonorrhea
Aug 7, 1917	Absent without leave until Aug 8 when he was put under escort
Aug 13, 1917	Escaped from escort at Bethune and was apprehended again at Etaples on Aug 14 and held under arrest until he escaped again on Aug 29, 1917
Aug 17, 1917	Admitted to No 51 General Hospital with a Venereal disease
Aug 21, 1917	Discharged to APM Compound
Aug 22, 1917	TOS CGBD (Canadian Garrison Base Detail)
Aug 26, 1917	Left for Canadian Corps Employment Coy at the Canadian Reinforcement Camp
Aug 29, 1917	Went absent without leave from the Reinforcement Camp, was detained and then escaped custody at Calonne Ricouart and remained free until he was arrested on Sep 21, 1917
Sep 21, 1917	Taken into custody and held until court martial Dec 7, 1917
Dec 7, 1917	Found guilty at a Court Martial of being absent without leave and escaping lawful custody – Sentenced to 90 days Field Punishment No 1. See Court Martial Number 1 below
Dec 14, 1917	Admitted to No 1 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with recurrent Gonorrhea
Dec 16, 1917	Transferred to No 2 CFA
Dec 19, 1917	Transferred to No 10 CFA
Dec 27, 1917	Discharged to duty
Jan 9, 1918	Admitted to No 1 CFA with recurrent Gonorrhea
Jan 10, 1918	transferred to No 10 CFA with a relapse of Gonorrhea – then transferred to No 18 CCS
Jan 14, 1918	Transferred to No 51 General Hospital
Jan 16, 1918	Transferred to No 7 Stationary Hospital
Jan 19, 1918	Transferred to No 51 General Hospital
Jan 31, 1918	Forfeits 4 day’s pay under Royal Warrant
Mar 8, 1918	Discharged to CGBD (Canadian Garrison Base Detail) Pay deducted 50 cents per day while in hospital from Jan 19 to Mar 8, 1918 Is absent from 8.15 pm until 10.15 pm and found in Etaples without a pass
Mar 11, 1918	Forfeits 5 days pay for being AWL on Mar 8
Mar 21, 1918	Rejoins No 5 Employment Coy from CGBD
Apr 4, 1918	Absent Without Leave
Apr 9, 1918	Arrested in Paris at 12.30 pm – held until Apr 26
Apr 10, 1918	TOS CGBD as a prisoner
Apr 15, 1918	Left for his unit as a prisoner
Apr 16, 1918	Rejoined unit (No 5 Employment Coy) under escort
Apr 26, 1918	Tried by Court Martial for being absent without leave from 10.00 am Apr 4, 1918 to 12.30 pm Apr 9, 1918, when arrested – sentenced to 70 days Field Punishment No 1, also forfeits 6 days pay See court martial number 2 below
May 6, 1918	Sent to CGBD as a prisoner for reclassification
May 7, 1918	Arrived at CGBD as a prisoner
May 13, 1918	Classified “Active” then TOS 5^th Canadian Employment Coy then transferred to 21^st Battalion
May 14, 1918	TOS 21^st Battalion in the field
May 30, 1918	Sent to CGBD at Etaples for Field Punishment
Jun 1, 1918	Admitted No 51 General Hospital
Jul 8, 1918	Forfeits field allowance and 50 cents per day (28 days) while in hospital Goes AWL at 9.00 pm
Jul 9, 1918	Arrested at 5.00 pm and makes a false statement to Military Police
Jul 21, 1918	Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment No 2 for being AWL and making false statements to Military Police – forfeits 1 day’s pay
Jul 30, 1918	Escaped custody at Etaples
Aug 1, 1918	Committed a theft from a civilian
Aug 2, 1918	Escaped custody
Aug 3, 1918	In confinement awaiting trial – held until Aug 24, 1918
Aug 24, 1918	Tried by Court Martial for escaping lawful custody, theft from a civilian, escaping lawful custody a second time, and attempting to desert – sentenced to 5 years Penal Servitude – Sentence commuted to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour See court martial number 3 below
Aug 25, 1918	Found guilty of 3 of 4 charges at a court martial and sentenced to 5 years in prison – this was commuted to 2 years in confinement with hard labour
Sep 5, 1918	Sent to Military Prison, Les Attaques, in the field
Oct 3, 1918	Absent without leave from Les Attaques prison until Oct 26
Oct 26, 1918	SOS the CEF after being declared a deserter by a court of enquiry held at the Military Prison
Jan 13, 1920	TOS Canadian Discharge Depot London from desertion
Jan 19, 1920	Forfeits total of 43 days pay for being absent without leave
Jan 20, 1920	Letter from the Chief of the General Staff to Officer Commanding 2^nd Canadian Discharge Depot directing him to take this soldier on strength from desertion
Jan 21, 1920	Letter from the Chief of the General Staff to Officer Commanding 2^nd Canadian Discharge Depot stating that this soldier is to be discharged for Misconduct

Jan 27, 1920	Medical Board at Wandsworth Detention Barracks, London, reports Ø There is a scar on right side of abdomen from a knife wound as well as a scar on right leg from a gun shot wound Ø States that these wounds happened while on active service Ø Complains of poor vision Ø Doctors report that they doubt the claim of knife and bullet wounds being caused during his service Ø Doctors also doubt that his vision problems are as severe as reported
Feb 13, 1920	SOS to Canada for discharge due to misconduct - TOS Halifax Depot Clearing Services – Embarked the “Saturnia” for Canada
Feb 23, 1920	Disembarked at Halifax
Feb 26, 1920	Discharged at Halifax Nova Scotia for “Misconduct” Ø Medals were forfeited Ø Proposed address on discharge 376 Bell St., Ottawa Ontario Ø No payments of the War Service Gratuity were allowed
Jul 25, 1957	Deceased

NOTE: There is a note on the medals card that application was made to restore the medals entitlement and cancel the “Misconduct” on his discharge, but there is no date noted for that application, nor is there any indication that any changes were made.

Court Martial No. 1

Library and Archives Canada reference:

Name:	Renaud, Alfred J. O.
Regimental Number:	344955
Rank:	Private
Unit:	5th Can. Area Employment Coy.
Date:	1917
Offence:	15, 22
Reference:	RG150 - Ministry of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada, Series 8, File 649-R-14739, Microfilm Reel Number T-8684, file access code 90, Finding Aid Number 150-5

NOTE: Pte Renaud was attested with the first name of “Frederick”, not Alfred.

Court Martial Authorized December 3, 1917

President:

LCol S.W. Smith, Canadian Light Horse

Members:

Lieut T.C. Young, 2^nd Canadian Division Supply Column

Lieut H.L. Rous, Canadian Corps Ammunition Park

Special Member:

Capt R. Coke, Scots Guards

Court Martial Convened December 7, 1919

Charge Number 1:

When on active service he absented himself without leave

Plea:

Not Guilty

Finding:

Guilty

Charge Number 2:

When on active service he being in arrest, escaped

Plea:

Not Guilty

Finding:

Guilty

Charge Number 3:

When on active service he absented himself without leave

Plea:

Not Guilty

Finding:

Not Guilty

Sentence:

Sentence for the guilty finding on the first 2 offences was “90 days Field Punishment Number 1.”

EVIDENCE

First Witness for the Prosecution

No 748031, A/Sgt WG Guy, 5^th Cdn Employment Coy

Sgt Guy testified that he was acting CSM on Aug 7, 1917, and when he called the roll, the accused was not present.

He was not cross examined.

Second Witness for the Prosecution

No 66114, Sgt CB Lewis, 5^th Cdn Employment Coy

Sgt Lewis testified that he was also present when the roll was called on Aug 7, and confirmed that the accused was not present.

He then stated that on Aug 11 he was ordered to proceed to the 4^th Army Corps HQ and there he received the accused as a prisoner and with Pte Barr, escorted him to Bethune, where he left the prisoner in charge of Pte Barr while he entered the RTO’s (Railway Ticket Officer?) office.

Third Witness for the Prosecution

No 22174, Sgt J McKnight, British Police, attached to the 1^st Corps

He testified that on the 8^th of August he was on duty at the Walter Bridge, about 10 km from St Omer when the accused tried to pass. He was challenged by the sentry and gave an evasive answer. He questioned him and he gave his name and said he was going to St Omer to get some horses. Under instructions by telephone from the APM, 4^th Corps, he detained him and the accused was taken away the next day under arrest.

He was not cross examined.

Fourth Witness for the Prosecution

No 426904, Pte A Barr, 5^th Cdn Employment Coy

He testified that on Aug 8^th he went with Sgt Lewis to 4^th Army Corps HQ and then took him by train to Bethune. He went into the RTO’s office leaving me in charge of the accused. As 2 trains approached the platform, the prisoner escaped and Sgt Lewis and he could not find him in the darkness.

On Cross examination:

Pte Barr was questioned as to whether he had consumed some drinks with the prisoner on the way to Bethune and he denied having had anything to drink, either before or during the trip.

Fifth Witness for the Prosecution

No 397760, Sgt C Bloomfield, 756^th Garrison Guards Company

Sgt Bloomfield testified that when the accused and his escort arrived at Bethune at about 10.20 pm, he marched them along the platform to the RTO’s office and left the prisoner and his escort outside while he went in to consult with the RTO. After about 2 minutes he came out and both prisoner and the escort were gone.

He stated that he called out and the escort replied from the other side of the tracks. I went to him and he reported the escape of the prisoner to him. After reporting to the police at the station he conducted a search, but to no avail.

On Cross Examination

He was questioned as to whether he had been drinking that day and he replied that he had not. He also stated that he was on duty in the guardroom on Aug 14, when the accused was brought into custody there.

Sixth Witness for the Prosecution

No 2791, L/Cpl J. Burnett, M.F.P

L/Cpl Burnett states that he was on duty at Rowes? Camp on Aug 11 when at about 1 pm a train pulled into the siding with some trucks on it. I began searching the empty trucks and found the accused in one of them, sleeping. When the accused told me he had no authority to be there, I arrested him.

On Cross Examination

He stated that the accused told him that he had crawled into the truck for a sleep and when he awoke, the train had pulled out of the station.

Seventh Witness for the Prosecution

No 461135, A/Sgt H.M. Lowe, 4^th Canadian Division Ordnance

Sgt Lowe states he was NCO in charge of a party of men from the base at Etaples traveling to Calonne Ricourt on the 25^th of Aug and the accused was one of the men in that party, under arrest. He handed the accused over to the Sgt Major at Calonne Ricourt, along with the rest of the party.

He was not cross examined.

First Witness for the Defence

The Accused took the stand

The accused stated that he had gone out to meet some friends for a few drinks on Aug 7^thand had too much to drink, and stayed too long. He said he was trying to get back to his unit when he was arrested.

As for the second charge, he states that while he was traveling on the train, he and Pte Barr had bought a bottle of wine and were drinking from it. When the train stopped at Bethune, they had purchased 2 more bottles of wine and were drinking in a truck on a stopped train. He testified that he had to wake the Sgt and the Pte twice. Sgt Lewis went into the RTO’s office and he went into the latrine. When he came back, Pte Barr was gone and he fell asleep in the truck. The train pulled out with him in the truck, and he was arrested when the train stopped.

After that he states that he was put into a party at Etaples and told to rejoin his unit and turned himself in at Ricourt.

He was not cross examined.

After the Finding

Capt A.L. Brock, 5^th Canadian Employment Company

Capt Brock produced several pages of Pte Renaud’s service record that were entered into evidence showing many instances of being absent without leave.

He was not cross examined.

Mitigation

The accused stated that all he wanted to do was go to a fighting unit and asked the court to be lenient so that he could do that. He stated that he had been in close custody for 71 days. He also pleaded for leniency as he is the only supporter of his mother.

Lieut Gen. Currie, Commander Canadian Corps on December 9, 1917, upheld the Sentence of 90 days Field Punishment No. 1 on review

Court Martial No. 2

Library and Archives Canada reference:

Name:	Renaud, Alfred J. O.
Regimental Number:	344955
Rank:	Private
Unit:	5th Can. Area Employment Coy.
Date:	1918
Offence:	15
Reference:	RG150 - Ministry of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada, Series 8, File 649-R-14739, Microfilm Reel Number T-8684, file access code 90, Finding Aid Number 150-5

Court Martial Authorized April 23, 1918

President:

Maj C.F. McEwan, Canadian Light Horse

Members:

Lieut E.V. Mckague, Canadian Corps Cyclist Bn

Lieut R.J. Fyfe, Canadian Light Horse

Special Member:

Capt R. Coke, Scots Guards

Court Martial Convened Apr 26, 1918

Charge Number 1:

When on active service he absented himself without leave

Plea:

Guilty

Finding:

Guilty

Sentence:

Sentence for the guilty finding was “70 days Field Punishment Number 1.”

The accused having pleaded guilty, the summary of evidence was read into the record.

After the Finding

Capt A.L. Brock, 5^th Canadian Employment Company

Capt Brock produced several pages of Pte Renaud’s service record that were entered into evidence showing many instances of being absent without leave, and a previous conviction by a Court Martial.

He was not cross examined.

Mitigation

The accused stated that he has been trying for some time to go to the front as he felt he could do a better job of fighting rather than in the rear. He said that he was 28 years old and ashamed of his position. He asked the court to be lenient and allow him the opportunity to go to the front.

Witnesses for the Prosecution

Four witnesses for the prosecution gave statements that the accused went missing from his unit, the 5^th Cdn Employment Coy, on April 4, 1918, and he did not reappear until April 16 under escort.

A fifth witness supplied a statement that he arrested the accused on April 9, 1918.

Lieut Gen. Currie, Commander Canadian Corps on April 28, 1918, upheld the Sentence of 70 days Field Punishment No. 1 on review

Court Martial No. 3

Library and Archives Canada reference:

Name:	Renaud, Alfred J. O.
Regimental Number:	344955
Rank:	Private
Unit:	21st Bn
Date:	1918/02/08
Offence:	22, 41, 12(1a)
Reference:	RG150 - Ministry of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada, Series 8, File 649-R-14739, Microfilm Reel Number T-8684, file access code 90, Finding Aid Number 150-5

Court Martial Authorized August 23, 1918

President:

Lt Colonel A.W. Robinson, Cheshire Regt

Members:

Capt T.A. Meautrip, Special List

Capt D. Borland, Canadian General List

Court Martial Convened Aug 24, 1918

Charge Number 1:

At Etaples on 30 July, 1918, he escaped lawful custody

Plea:

Not Guilty

Finding:

Not Guilty

Charge Number 2:

Committed a civil offence in that on the 1^st of August 1918, he stole a packet of chicory from a home in Blingel France.

Plea:

Not Guilty

Finding:

Guilty

Charge Number 3:

On 2^nd of August 1918 escaped from lawful custody

Plea:

Guilty

Finding:

Guilty

Charge Number 4:

While on active service attempted to desert His Majesty’s Service on 2^nd August by wearing a French soldier’s tunic and declaring himself to be a French citizen to a French authority.

Plea:

Not Guilty

Finding:

Guilty

Sentence:

The accused was sentenced to 5 years P.S. (Penal Servitude)

On review by Gen Steele, the finding was confirmed, but the sentence was reduced to 2 years of I.H.L. (Institutionalized with Hard Labour)

Evidence

First Witness for the Prosecution

No 5073, Cpl J Sykes, M.F.P.

Cpl Sykes testified that on the 1^st of August, after receiving information, he proceeded in the direction of Blingel and at the level crossing, he noticed the accused and another soldier. He enquired as to why they were there and was told that they had just “dropped off” a train to get a drink. He testified that he placed the accused in custody and took him to the Blingel Camp Guard Room, where he was placed under arrest.

When he was searched by the Sgt of the Guard, in his presence, the accused was found to have a packet of chicory, amongst other items.

On Cross Examination

Cpl Sykes stated that he saw the packet of chicory taken from the tunic pocket of the accused.

Second Witness for the Prosecution

P/1298, L/Cpl T.R. Groves, MFP

He stated that he was on duty on the 1^st of August and after receiving certain information, proceeded to the level crossing at Blingel with Cpl Sykes, where he found the accused. He stated that he had asked the accused for his pay book, and when told that he had none, asked the accused why he was there. The reply was that he was on his way to the lines when he “dropped off” the train to look for a drink.

The accused was placed under arrest and taken to the guard room, where he witnessed a broken packet of chicory taken from the accused, among other items.

On cross examination

L/Cpl Groves stated that the accused had no equipment on him and that the chicory was taken from the accused’s tunic pocket, not from the other man.

Third Witness for the Prosecution

Madame Marie Desaudre

(This testimony was given in French and translated for the court)

Madame Desaudre stated that she had been out and when she returned home, her door was open. She had locked it when she went out and did not know how it had been opened. It wasn’t broken.

She found her kitchen cupboards had been opened and several items were missing, including a packet of chicory. She went to her bedroom and found several items missing, including an alarm clock. She went to the landlady to tell her and she pointed out 2 British soldiers who were nearby.

The accused was one of the 2 and he had my alarm clock, which I took from him.

On Cross Examination

She said that she had told the accused that she was going to report him to the police and he replied to me in English. I don’t understand English, but he gave the clock back to me.

Fourth Witness for the Prosecution

Madame Marie Prevost

On the day in question she stated that the accused, along with another soldier, came by her house around 5 pm. He did not speak to her, but the other soldier spoke in French and showed her a packet of chicory, while the accused had an alarm clock in his hands.

When Madame Desaudre came to me, I pointed out the 2 soldiers. She went to them and stated that she heard Madame Desaudre say “it is my clock”.

The witness was not cross examined

Fifth Witness for the Prosecution

Mr. M.J. Carrsude, Commissaire, attached to D Area, 3^rd Army

He stated he was on duty on Friday the 2^nd of August when 2 British policemen brought the accused in to his office at about 103.30 pm. The policemen told him that they had arrested the accused in an estimet.

The accused had no papers on him, and he claimed not to speak any English. He claimed to be a Belgian subject and that he had never been called up for the army. He denied that he was a Canadian. He was locked up overnight and interrogated further the next day when the accused stated that he was purchasing horses for the army. Then he stated that he wanted to join the French army.

He was not cross examined.

First Witness for the Defence

The Accused took the stand

He stated that on July 30^th he was detailed to carry water for a working party. He wandered away and met some friends and began to drink some rum. Instead of returning to his quarters, he went to Etaples and met up with another soldier that he did not know. He was carrying a number of articles and helped him by carrying a clock.

He stated that a lady came up to them and said the clock was hers and he gave it to her. After that he had been put in detention. While in the latrine, he said that he saw an opportunity to get away and took it, he claimed, so that he could return to his unit, the 21^st Battalion.

He claimed that he was only with the battalion a short while and he wanted to return to the front.

On Cross Examination

He claimed to only have been carrying the clock for the other soldier and gave it to the lady who claimed that it was hers. He also claimed that he had no chicory in his possession when he was detained.

There were sworn statements added into evidence from witnesses who could not be in attendance. Two of those are written in French. Also entered into evidence were several pages of transcripts of Pte Renaud’s record which related to his previous offences.