John Smith



Dec 2, 1893

Born in Hanley, Staffordshire, England

 

Jul 27, 1915

Attested into the 76th Battalion CEF in Welland, Ontario

Ø  Number 141765

Ø  Next of kin given as Mr. John Smith Sr., Railway Hotel, Hanley, Staffordshire, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Clerk

Ø  Previous military experience given as 44th Regiment and the 77th Regiment

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Assigned to “C” Company

 
The battalion trained in Camp Niagara, Ontario

 

Nov 5, 1915

The battalion left the Niagara Camp for winter quarters

 
“C” Company and “D” Company were quartered in the Armouries in Barrie, Ontario

 

Nov 12, 1915

Sentenced to 14 days CB (Confined to Barracks) for being absent

 

Feb 2, 1916

Married in Barrie, Ontario and next of kin changed to read Mrs. Violet Smith, Wife, 127 Collier St., Barrie, Ontario

 

Apr 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Empress of Britain in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 
 

May 5, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Jun 28, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Jun 29, 1916

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

 

Jul 30, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Smith joined the 21st Battalion in the Micmac Camp near Dickiebush, Belgium

 

Sep 15, 1916

During the Battle of the Somme, the 21st Battalion was assigned the objective of the sugar refinery south of Courcelette.  This was a strongly defended headquarters for the Germans and the battalion suffered many losses.  Private John Smith was one of those killed in action.  He was buried in a field near the jumping off point for the attack, east of the town of Pozieres. 

 

 

 

 

When the war ended his remains could not be located for reburial in a cemetery, and as such, he is honoured on the walls of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France

 

 
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. Violet Smith, Perkinsfield, Ontario

 



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