Oct 1, 1894

Born in London, England to Edward and Ellen Susannah (nee Pettigrew) Smeed

Nov 29, 1915

Attested into the 98^th Battalion CEF in Welland, Ontario

Ø  Number 210878

Ø  Next of kin given as Ellen Smeed, mother, Fenwick, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Posted to “A” Company

The battalion trained in the Niagara-Welland area in addition to doing guard duty on the Welland Canal

Jul 16, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 25, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Otterpool to continue training

Oct 4, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 5, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 917 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 16, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Smeed joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Divion, France

In July 1917, the 21^st Battalion was headquartered in a convent in the town of
Bouvigny, France while the men rehearsed for the attack on Hill 70.
Next to that convent was a church and a number of men climbed into the
bell tower and carved their names on the walls there.  Below is Private Smeed’s
name as he carved it.  Thank you to Patrice Machin for sharing that image

Nov 9, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Nov 29, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Nov 8, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Nov 24, 1918

Granted extension of his leave until November 28, 1918

Dec 2, 1918

Rejoined the battalion in Barvaux, Belgium

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force

On entering Germany, the battalion proceeded Seigburg to keep the peace

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre

On arrival in England, he was attached to “P” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia an proceeded to Kingston, Ontario by train

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 279949

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 12 Westwood Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 149 Gamble Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Sep 29, 1920

Married to Kathleen Dorothy Woollven in Toronto, Ontario

Jan 7, 1960

Edward George Smeed died while a patient of the Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital in Toronto, Ontario of Pneumonia, Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis.  His death was considered to be a result of his service at the front, however there was no Memorial Cross issued as he was single when he was discharged and his mother had passed away in 1944.  He was buried in the Pine Hills Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario