Jun 17, 1897

Born in Ratho, Ontario to William and Minnie (nee Smith) Steedsman

Jan 4, 1910

George’s mother, Minnie, passed away in Oxford, Ontario

Jan 8, 1916

Attested into the 168^th Battalion CEF in Woodstock, Ontario

Ø  Number 675096

Ø  Next of kin given as David Steedsman, brother, RR # 1, St. Mary’s, Ontario

o   There is a note to also notify William Steedsman, father, c/o Ben Wilson, RR# 6 St. Mary’s, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Shell Making

o   Later noted as Machine Shop

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

 
The battalion initially trained in Camp Francis, near London, Ontario before moving to Camp Borden near Barrie to continue training

Oct 7, 1916

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Oct 9, 1916

Reported for duty from being absent.  There is no punishment recorded in the file

Oct 30, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nov 1, 1916

There is a note in the file that his father, William Steedsman had been placed in the Queen Alexandra Sanitarium for those suffering from Tuberculosis.  This would likely explain his absence the previous month

Nov 11, 1916

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

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the battalion, it was moved to Seaford to train reinforcements for the front

Mar 19, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Mar 20, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 67 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Apr 14, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Steedsman joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Bois des Alleux, France

Aug 16, 1917

The 21^st Battalion attacked and captured Hill 70 the previous day but suffered many counter attacks by German Storm Troopers.  On the 2^nd day of the fighting, which was often hand to hand, Private Steedsman received shrapnel wounds to his right thigh and left wrist.  He was evacuated to the No. 10 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment.

Aug 18, 1917

Private George Frederick Steedsman died of his wounds at the No. 22 Casualty Clearing Station and was buried in the nearby Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension, Bruay, France

 
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, William Steedsman, c/o Ben Wilson, RR# 6, St. Mary’s, Ontario

 
There was no Memorial Cross issued

George Steedsman is honoured on the Woodstock, Ontario War Memorial

He is also remembered on his brother’s grave marker in
the Ratho, Ontario Church Cemetery