Thomas Snell



Dec 26, 1897

Born in London, England to Thomas Mark and Emma (nee Baker) Snell

 

Apr 25, 1914

Embarked the SS Megantic in Liverpool

 

 
 

May 4, 1914

Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario

 

Jan 1, 1916

Attested into the 136th Battalion CEF in Orono, Ontario

Ø  Number 805201

Ø  Next of kin given as Thomas Snell, father, 12 St. Pauls Road, Stepney, London East, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farm Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

 

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

 

Sep 25, 1916

Embarked the SS Corsican in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 
 

Oct 6, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp where the battalion was absorbed into the 39th Reserve Battalion to continue training

 

Jan 1, 1917

Upon reorganization of the reserve battalion system, the 6th Reserve Battalion was formed at West Sandling and absorbed several units to continue training.  The 39th Reserve Battalion was one of those.  Shortly after the formation of the new battalion, it moved to Seaford to train reinforcements for the front

 

Jun 19, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Jun 20, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion.

 
Following his arrival in France, he eventually joined the 21st Battalion at the front and was assigned to 11 Platoon, “C” Company.

Nov 2, 1917

The 21st Battalion moved into the front lines at Passchendaele and the Germans immediately mounted an attack.  The attacks continued for several days and during this period, Private Snell received a shrapnel wound to his left arm and was evacuated, first to a field ambulance for first aid, then to a nearby casualty clearing station.

 

Nov 9, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

 

  

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital in England

 

Jun 11, 1918

After receiving medical care in hospitals in England, Private Snell was invalided to Canada aboard the Hospital Ship Goorkha, disembarking in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

 

  

Following his arrival in Canada he was discharged as being medically unfit for further service

Thomas Snell settled in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and joined the 49th Regiment, Soo Rifles.


 

Apr 27, 1925

Married to Alma Loreen Vaughan in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario

 

Jul 1, 1935

The 1935 Census shows him and his wife living at 140 Walnut St., Sault Ste Marie, Ontario.

 

Aug 28, 1939

In late August of 1939 the 49th Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury Regiment MG were called to active service to guard local facilities.  Thomas Snell attested into the CASF (Canadian Active Service Force) with the rank of Sergeant

Ø  Number 48

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Alma Snell, wife, 92 Summut Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Ø  No previous occupation listed

Ø  Previous military experience given as 4th Canadian Machine Gun Company and the 21st Battalion CEF

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Nov 30, 1939

Discharged from active service to rejoin the NPAM (Non Active Permanent Militia) 49th Regiment in Sault Ste. Marie

Residence on discharge 155 Church St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Awarded the War Medal 1939-45 for his service

The photo below was either Christmas or New Year's Eve, 1948
in the 49th Regiment's Mess with his wife Alma



Jul 16, 1988

Thomas Snell died in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery there.

Because I do not have the complete service file, there are some details
missing from the above. 


When the file becomes available, this page will be updated


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