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Mar 21, 1892
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Born in Gooderham, Ontario to
Philip and Annie (nee Haines) Switzer
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Aug 6, 1913
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Married to Ida Ellen Mintz in
Glamorgan Township, Ontario
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Jan 6, 1916
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Attested into the 109th Battalion CEF
in Gooderham, Ontario
Ø Number 726069
Ø Next of kin given as Ida Ellen Switzer, wife,
Gooderham, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Labourer
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Methodist
Ø Posted to “D” Company
In the spring of 1916, the 109th
Battalion moved to Camp Borden near Barrie, Ontario for advanced training
In early July 1916, the
battalion moved to the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario
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Apr 1, 1916
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Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal
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May 9, 1916
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Reverted to the rank of Private at his own
request
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Jul 23, 1916
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Embarked the SS Olympic in
Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Jul 31, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool,
England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp, near Longmoor, Hampshire
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Aug 16, 1916
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The battalion moved to
Bramshott to continue training
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Oct 5, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
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Oct 6, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian
Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the
21st Battalion
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Nov 5, 1916
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After leaving the base depot,
Private Switzer joined the 21st Battalion in the front line west
of Lens, France and was posted to “A” Company
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Dec 18, 1916
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Attached to the 4th
Field Company, Canadian Engineers for duty
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Jan 17, 1917
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Ceased to be attached and rejoined
the 21st Battalion near Calonne, France
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Jun 23, 1917
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Appointed to the rank Lance
Corporal without pay
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Aug 15, 1917
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The 21st Battalion,
in conjunction with the Canadian Corps, attacked and captured Hill 70 near
Lens, France after fierce hand to hand combat. During the fighting, Lance Corporal Switzer
used his body as a shield to cover a wounded comrade during the enemy artillery
barrage and received a shrapnel wound to his right foot. He was evacuated to a nearby field
ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty
Clearing Station)
For his actions, he was
commended by the Commanding Officer for his bravery.
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Aug 17, 1917
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Transferred to the No. 7
Canadian General Hospital in Etaples
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Aug 23, 1917
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Transferred to the No. 6
Convalescent Depot at Etaples, France
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Aug 26, 1917
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Transferred to the No. 5
Convalescent Depot in Cayeux
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Sep 11, 1917
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Transferred to the No. 2
Stationary Hospital in Abbeville, France and Tetanus was added to the
diagnosis and placed on the dangerously ill list
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Sep 24, 1917
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Removed from the dangerously
ill list
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Oct 11, 1917
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Invalided to England aboard
the Hospital Ship Grantully Castle
On arrival in England, he was
admitted to the to the Horton County of London War Hospital in Epsom
Transferred to the EORD
(Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital
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Nov 22, 1917
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Transferred to the Canadian
Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom
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Dec 13, 1917
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Transferred to the Granville
Canadian Special Hospital in Buxton
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Jan 2, 1918
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Surgery performed to remove
shrapnel from his right foot
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Feb 21, 1918
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Transferred to the 3rd
CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training and exercise
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Apr 4, 1918
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Transferred to the 6th
Reserve Battalion in Seaford
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Aug 14, 1918
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Reverted to the rank of
Private as he was surplus to the establishment
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Sep 4, 1918
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
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Sep 5, 1918
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Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian
Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21st
Battalion
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Sep 9, 1918
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After leaving the base depot,
he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast,
France
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Sep 11, 1918
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After leaving the
reinforcement camp, Private Switzer rejoined the 21st Battalion
just west of Cagnicourt, France
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Oct 11, 1918
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Private Switzer received
shrapnel wounds to his left leg during the liberation of the town of Iwuy,
France. He was evacuated to the No. 9
Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 33
Casualty Clearing Station
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Oct 14, 1918
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Transferred via the No. 29 AT
(Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 11 Stationary Hospital in Rouen,
France
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Oct 18, 1918
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Invalided to England aboard
the Hospital Ship St. Andrew
On arrival in England, he was
admitted to the 2nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol
Transferred to the Eastern
Ontario Regimental Depot for pay purposes while in hospital
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Dec 13, 1918
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Transferred to the Canadian
Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom
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Feb 3, 1919
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Attached to 3rd the
Canadian Command Depot for physical training and exercise
Granted 10 days sick leave
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Feb 20, 1919
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Transferred to the 6th
Reserve Battalion in Seaford
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Mar 26, 1919
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Transferred to Military
District No. 3 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada
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Apr 12, 1919
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Embarked the SS Adriatic in
Liverpool
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Apr 20, 1919
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Disembarked in Halifax, Nova
Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of
Military District No. 3 Depot
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Apr 24, 1919
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Discharged from the CEF in Kingston,
Ontario
Ø Rank on discharge
Private
Ø War Service Badge
Class “A” issued number 246741
Ø Proposed residence
on discharge Gooderham, Ontario
Following his discharge, the
British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Lochlin, Ontario
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