Aug 16, 1873

Born at London England

Apr 10, 1898

Married to Sarah Annie Walker at Loftus England

Mar 3, 1916

Attested into the 164^th Battalion at Milton Ontario 

Ø      Number 663508

Ø      Next of kin given as Annie Smith (wife) of Milton Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No pervious military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “A” Company 

On enlistment he stated that he had 4 dependent daughters, Hilda, Kathlene, Mildred and Phyliss.  He also stated that his parents were not alive 

The Battalion’s initial training was done at Orangeville

Jul 6, 1916

The Battalion moved to Camp Borden for further training

Oct 16, 1916

The Battalion moved to Hamilton Ontario for winter training

Apr 5, 1917

The Battalion boarded a train in Hamilton for Halifax Nova Scotia

Apr 10, 1917

Embarked the Troopship Carpathia at Halifax

Apr 22, 1917

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded by train to the Otterpool Camp.  From here they were sent on to the East Sandling Camp

Apr 23, 1917

TOS (Taken On Strength) the 2^nd Reserve Battalion at East Sandling

May 27, 1917

Transferred back to the 164^th Battalion at East Sandling

Mar 3, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Mar 9, 1918

Attached to the 125^th Battalion at Witley

Mar 28, 1918

Ceased to be attached and returned to the 164^th Battalion

Mar 29, 1918

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Mar 30, 1918

Arrived at the No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples France and TOS the 21^st Battalion

Apr 3, 1918

Arrived at the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) at Calonne Ricouart

Apr 13, 1918

Left the CC Rein C to join the Battalion

Apr 15, 1918

Joined the 21^st Battalion.  The Battalion was in the front line trench at the Mercatel Switch and engaged in heavy fighting with the Germans.  Although not stated in the file, it is most likely that Pte Smith actually was sent to the 21^st Battalion’s Transport Lines at Bellacourt, at the rear of the actual fighting, and joined the Battalion proper on April 17, when they were relieved from the Front Line.  

He was assigned to No 9 Platoon of “C” Company and detailed as a Stretcher Bearer

Aug 8, 1918

A machine gun bullet to the chest mortally wounded the Commanding Officer of the 21st Battalion and Pte Smith applied a dressing to the wound and assisted in carrying him to the rear.  Unfortunately L/Col EW Jones died before reaching the Regimental Aid Post

Oct 11, 1918

Received shrapnel wounds to his left leg and hip during the advance and heavy fighting on the Marcoing Line south-west of Avesnes-le-Sec when the Germans counter attacked with tanks.  The Battalion’s War Diary reports that 50% of their Officers, NCOs and Lewis Gunners became casualties in the first 30 minutes of the German advance.

Oct 12, 1918

Admitted to the No 9 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) and then transferred the same day to the CCS (Casualty Clearing Station).  Later that day he was transferred to the #2 Canadian Stationary Hospital at Outreau where surgery was performed to remove pieces of shrapnel

Oct 17, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St David

Admitted to the 2^nd Western General Hospital at Manchester 

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital

Jan 6, 1919

Transferred to the 16^th Canadian General Hospital at Orpington

Mar 14, 1919

Transferred to the 5^th Canadian General Hospital at Kirkdale

Apr 14, 1919

Embarked the Hospital Ship Araguaya at Liverpool

Apr 15, 1919

TOS No 2 District Depot

Apr 25, 1919

Disembarked at Portland Maine and proceeded by train to the St Andrews Military Hospital at Toronto Ontario

Apr 26, 1919

Granted leave with subsistence until May 12, 1919

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Toronto Ontario 

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 284790

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge 241 Clinton St, Toronto Ontario

Jul 3, 1919

Awarded the Military Medal per the London Gazette #31430

Although the citation for this award has not survived, it was for his acts of bravery on August 28, 1918 during the heavy fighting at the Sensee River when he assisted Lt DM Goudy in organizing the scattered troops.  Lt Goudy earned the Military Cross for his actions on this date.

Sep 25, 1919

Research by Richard Laughton uncovered a letter of thank you printed in the Milton Champion newspaper  on this date expressing appreciation for the gold watch that had been presented to him by the town of Milton as a thank you for his service at the front. 

Mar 4, 1922

The British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 241 Clinton St, Toronto Ontario 

In 1936 Edward LH Smith embarked the SS Montcalm with many other 21^st Battalion veterans to attend the unveiling of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France.

Apr 9, 1958

His wife Annie passed away