Mar 31, 1892

Born in Millgrove, Ontario to Edward and Sophia (nee Cummins) Sawell

In the fall of 1914, Edward Sawell joined the 77^th Wentworth Regiment as a Private and was soon promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Dec 24, 1914

Commissioned with the rank of Lieutenant in the 77^th Wentworth Regiment

Dec 27, 1915

Signed Officer’s Declaration into the 129^th Battalion CEF in Dundas, Ontario

Ø  Rank Lieutenant

Ø  Next of kin given as Edward T. Sawell, father, Waterdown, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Merchant

Ø  Previous military experience given as 77^th Regiment

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Aug 17, 1916

The 129^th Battalion payroll shows that Lieutenant Sawell was Struck Off Strength of the battalion, however he was retained as a Supernumerary Officer.  According to his diary, he had been informed orally a few weeks earlier of the decision

Aug 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia with the 129^th Battalion, but does not appear on their Embarkation Roll as he was travelling as a Supernumerary Officer.

Aug 30, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England

Transferred to the General List of Officers.

Oct 26, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 27, 1916

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

Oct 31, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Lieutenant Sawell joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Calonne, France and was posted to “D” Company

Dec 25, 1916

Rejoined the battalion in the front line west of Lens, France from a course of instruction

May 7, 1917

Proceeded on Lewis Machine Gun Course in Etaples, France

May 16, 1917

Rejoined the battalion in Aux Rietz, France from course

He was appointed as the Lewis Gun Officer shortly after

Jul 18, 1917

Awarded the MC (Military Cross) per London Gazette #30188 for his action April 9, 1917 during the capture of Vimy Ridge

Sep 12, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Sep 23, 1917

Rejoined the battalion resting in Villers au Bois, France from leave

Dec 16, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Temporary Captain

Jan 21, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Feb 5, 1918

Rejoined the battalion resting in the Hills Camp at Neuville St. Vaast, France from leave

Mar 22, 1918

Proceeded on course

Mar 27, 1918

Rejoined the battalion in Basseux, France from course

May 11, 1918

Proceeded on course at the 1^st Army School

Jun 19, 1918

Rejoined the battalion at the front near Mercatel, France from course of instruction

Aug 15, 1918

During an enemy gas attack on the 21^st Battalion north-west of Fouquescourt, France, Lieutenant Sawell suffered from gas exposure and was evacuated to a nearby field ambulance for first aid before being transferred to the No. 47 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Aug 17, 1918

Transferred via the No. 24 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 8 General Hospital in Rouen, France

Aug 20, 1918

Transferred to the No. 72 General Hospital in Trouville, France

Sep 4, 1918

Transferred to the Officer’s Convalescent Home in Deauville, near Trouville, France

Sep 23, 1918

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France

Sep 30, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Oct 2, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Lieutenant Sawell MC rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the Hindenburg Support line near Douai, France

Oct 3, 1918

While in the support line, a German artillery barrage hit and Captain Sawell received a shrapnel wound to his left arm and he was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 30 Casualty Clearing Station

Oct 7, 1918

Transferred via the No. 27 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 20 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Oct 9, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Marylebone, London

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Oct 16, 1918

Transferred to the IODE Canadian Red Cross Hospital in London

Nov 1, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Officer’s Convalescent Hospital, Matlock, Bath

Nov 6, 1918

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Granted 21 days leave

Dec 22, 1918

Arrived at the base depot in Etaples and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Jan 29, 1919

He remained at the base depot until being transferred to England for duty at Argyle House in London

Feb 1, 1919

Attached to Military District No. 5 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl

Mar 1, 1919

Appointed to position of Adjutant, Military District No. 5 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl

Apr 16, 1919

Ceased to be Adjutant and attached to Military District No. 10 in Kinmel Park

Apr 19, 1919

Appointed to the rank of Acting Major until June 6, 1919 per London Gazette #31429 while in temporary command of Military District No. 10 Wing in Rhyl

Jul 1, 1919

Re-attached to Military District No. 5 Wing in Kinmel Park

Jul 5, 1919

Embarked the SS Carmania in Liverpool

Jul 12, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Hamilton, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength Military District No. 2

Jul 16, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Hamilton, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Captain

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Waterdown, Ontario

On discharge, he rejoined the 77^th Wentworth Regiment as a Company Commander.  Later, he was appointed as the 2^nd in Command of the regiment.

Jul 30, 1925

Married to Elizabeth Jackson Fleming in Aldershot, Ontario

In 1926 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and took command of the 77^th Wentworth Regiment.  In 1930 he was awarded the VD (Volunteer Decoration) for his 20 years of service.  He retired to the Reserve List of Officers in 1931.

He volunteered again during WW2 and served in the Veterans Guard in Waterdown, Ontario

Apr 9, 1968

Edward Stanley Sawell, MC died in Burlington, Ontario and was buried in the Grace Anglican Church Cemetery, Waterdown, Ontario

 
Edward Stanley Sawell is remembered on a plaque at the
Waterdown Ontario Memorial Hall

 

In addition to researching Edward Stanley Sawell’s service file, the 21^st Battalion’s Part II Orders and War Diary, details have been drawn from  Into the Cauldron by Seven Sawell and the 21^st Battalion’s history Ordinary Heroes by Stephen Nichol