Nov 25, 1885 |
Born in Cobourg, Ontario
|
Nov 22, 1914 |
Attested into the 21st Battalion in
Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 59947 (temporary number 355)
Ø Next of kin given as Michael Sweetman, brother, Cobourg, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Railway Section Man
o He had been previously employed at the Canadian Locomotive Company,
Kingston
Ø Previous military experience given as No. 10, Cobourg Battery,
Canadian Field Artillery
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
The battalion trained in the Kingston area
through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries
|
May 6, 1915 |
Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec
|
May 15, 1915 |
Disembarked in Devonport, England and the
battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training
|
Sep 14, 1915 |
Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone
|
Sep 15, 1915 |
Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the
battalion proceeded to St. Omer
|
Jan 4, 1916 |
Attached to the 4th Canadian Infantry
Brigade for duty with the Trench Warden
|
Apr 1, 1916 |
Rejoined the battalion from duty with the
brigade Trench Warden
|
Sep 15, 1916 |
During the Battle of the Somme, the 21st
Battalion had the objective of taking a German strong point in a sugar refinery near
Courcelette. Because it was so strongly
defended, it was the first time the Canadian Corps used tanks in an attack. Private Sweetman was severely wounded and
evacuated to a nearby field ambulance for first aid then transferred to the No. 44 CCS
(Casualty Clearing Station)
|
Sep 18, 1916 |
Private James Sweetman died of his wounds while
a patient at the clearing station. He was
buried in the nearby Puchevillers British Cemetery, Puchevillers, France
Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War
Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his brother,
Michael Sweetman, Cobourg, Ontario
There was no Memorial Cross issued
Pictured below are his 1914-15 Star and Victory
Medals. The British War Medal is missing. If you know of it’s location, or the
location of his Plaque, please contact the webmaster
|
From the Cobourg World,
October 6, 1916
Courtesy of David Bluestein
|
James Sweetman is honoured
on the Memorial Wall in Kingston, Ontario
|
|