|
Sep 2, 1889
|
Born in Harold, Ontario to Edward Price and
Lucretia Ann (nee Lloyd) Reynolds. His
birth certificate lists the family name as Reynolds. Sometime after the 1911 census, the family
changed their surname to Runnalls.
|
|
Jan 24, 1916
|
Attested into the 155th Battalion CEF
in Marmora, Ontario
Ø Number 636559
Ø Next of kin given as Lucretia
Runnalls, mother, Harold, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as
Farmer
Ø Previous military experience
given as 1 year in the 49th Regiment, Canadian Militia
Ø Religion given as Methodist
The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario
area
|
|
Jul 29, 1916
|
Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal
|
|
Oct 17, 1916
|
Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia
|
|
Oct 18, 1916
|
Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal while
onboard
|
|
Oct 28, 1916
|
Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the
battalion proceeded to Bramshott
|
|
Dec 8, 1916
|
Transferred to the 154th Battalion in
Witley
|
|
Dec 21, 1916
|
Admitted to the Connaught Military Hospital in
Aldershot with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea), also
shown as Syphilis
|
|
Jan 2, 1917
|
Discharged to duty from hospital
|
|
Jan 25, 1917
|
Transferred to the 156th Battalion in
Witley
|
|
Feb 28, 1918
|
Transferred to the 21st Battalion
|
|
Mar 1, 1918
|
Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base
Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 313 reinforcements from
England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion
|
|
Mar 15, 1918
|
After leaving the base depot, Acting Corporal Runnalls
joined the 21st Battalion in Gouy-Servins, France as part of a
draft of 105 reinforcements and was assigned to “A” Company
|
|
May 1, 1918
|
Reverted to the rank of Private
|
|
Aug 6, 1918
|
While the battalion was moving forward in
preparation for the attack on Marcelcave, France, an enemy 5.9 inch artillery
shell hit a small ammunition dump that “A” Company was passing by. The large explosion caused 18 fatal
casualties as well as a number of wounded.
Private Runnalls was among those killed. He was later buried in the Longueau British
Cemetery, Longueau, France.
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory
Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his
mother, Mrs. M.S. Runnalls, Harold, Ontario
|
|
|
For the 7 nights leading
up to November 11, 2010, the names of all Canadian soldiers killed during the war were projected onto the
Belgian War Memorial in Ypres. At the same
time, the same names were being broadcast via the internet to schools across Belgium and
Canada. The image above shows the opening
ceremonies at the Belgian War Memorial on November 4, 2010.
Below is the
name of Ernest Garfield Runnalls being broadcast to the schools. Each name appeared for 25 seconds and each night
9,700 names were shown.
|
