Feb 2, 1894

Born in Norwood, Ontario to Charles James and Elizabeth Mary (nee Sanders) Searight

Jan 27, 1916

Attested into the 93^rd Battalion CEF in Peterborough, Ontario

Ø  Number 195609

Ø  Next of kin given as Charles James Searight, father, Norwood, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Student

Ø  Previous military student given as 2 years in the Canadian Militia

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Assigned to “D” Company

 
Initial training was done in Peterborough, Ontario

Feb 3, 1916

Appointed to the provisional rank of Lance Corporal

Apr 12, 1916

Appointed to the provisional rank of Corporal

May 6, 1916

Appointed to the provisional rank of Sergeant

May 29, 1916

The battalion boarded a train and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario to continue training at the Barriefield Camp

Jul 15, 1916

Embarked the Empress of Britain in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 25, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Otterpool Camp

 
Appointed to rank of Acting Sergeant with pay

Oct 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Battalion at West Sandling to continue training

Oct 7, 1916

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request

Oct 27, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 28, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 135 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Nov 21, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France as part of a draft of 62 reinforcements destined to join the 21^st Battalion

Nov 26, 1916

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Searight joined the 21^st Battalion in Brigade Reserve in the town of Calonne, France

Mar 26, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Sergeant with pay effective for this date

May 11, 1917

Promoted to the permanent rank of Corporal

Jul 1, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant with pay

Aug 15, 1917

During the attack on Hill 70, Acting Sergeant Thomas Arthur Searight was instantly killed by a sniper’s bullet.  When the fighting subsided days later, his body could not be located and his name is listed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those killed during the war in France and have no known grave

Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Charles J. Searight, 292 Park St., Peterborough, Ontario

 
The Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. Mary E. Searight, at the same address