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Dec 2, 1893
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Born in Hanley, Staffordshire, England
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Jul 27, 1915
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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
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Nov 5, 1915
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The battalion left the Niagara Camp for winter
quarters
“C” Company and “D” Company were quartered in the
Armouries in Barrie, Ontario
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Nov 12, 1915
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Sentenced to 14 days CB (Confined to Barracks)
for being absent
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Feb 2, 1916
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Married in Barrie, Ontario and next of kin
changed to read Mrs. Violet Smith, Wife, 127 Collier St., Barrie, Ontario
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Apr 23, 1916
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Embarked the SS Empress of Britain in Halifax,
Nova Scotia
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May 5, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the
battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue
training
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Jun 28, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Jun 29, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion
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Jul 30, 1916
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After leaving the base depot, Private Smith
joined the 21st Battalion in the Micmac Camp near Dickiebush,
Belgium
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Sep 15, 1916
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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.
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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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