Feb 21, 1885

 At some point following his birth, he was adopted by Michael and Emma Isabella (nee Empey) Van Luven, Murvale, Ontario

Jun 28, 1906

Shown on the 47^th Frontenac Regiment’s payroll with the rank of Private in No. 5 Company

Jul 2, 1913

Married to Margaret Ethel Swerbrick in Portland Township, Ontario

Feb 28, 1917

Attested into the 2^nd Battalion CEF Reinforcing Draft in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 2235345

Ø  Next of kin given as Margaret Ethel Van Luven, Harrowsmith, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  Previous military experience given as United States Navy and the 47^th Frontenac Regiment, Canadian Militia

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

It appears that he held the rank of Captain at the time he left the Frontenac Regiment

On enlisting he stated he had a 2 year old son, Harold Van Luven

Shown here as a member of the US Navy

Mar 26, 1917

The 2^nd Battalion Reinforcing Draft embarked the SS Saxonia in Halifax, Nova Scotia

  

Apr 7, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Seaford where the draft was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Jun 19, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 20, 1917

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

Jul 8, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Van Luven joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France as part of a draft of 53 reinforcements destined to join the 21^st Battalion

Aug 21, 1917

Private Van Luven joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Villers au Bois, France

Oct 13, 1917

Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment #1 for being absent from parade.  The battalion was resting in the Suburban Camp near Villers au Bois, France and the parade was formed to send men out on a work party.

Nov 3, 1917

During the night of November 2-3, the 21^st Battalion moved into the Passchendaele front and immediately came under attack and suffered severe casualties.  They were relieved 4 days later, only to return to the fighting on November 8^th.

Mar 16, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Apr 4, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Aug 8, 1918

As part of the Amiens offensive, the 21^st Battalion attacked the town of Marcelcave, France and pushed the occupying German forces out of town.  It was during the heavy resistance by the German defenders that the Commanding Officer, L/Col Jones, DSO was killed in action.  This was described by the German high command as a black day in German history and marked the beginning of the final 100 days of the war.

Oct 20, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Nov 6, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave and joined in the pursuit to Mons, Belgium

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Canadian Division across the Bonn Bridge and entered Germany as part of the occupying force.  Once in Germany, the battalion proceeded to billets in Seigburg to keep the peace.

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

  

 
On arrival in England Private Van Luven was posted to “P” Wing in Witley for processing pending return to Canada

May 26, 1919

Attached to “O” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

During this period of time, there were a number of riots in the Witley Camp but it does not appear that Private Van Luven was involved in any serious way with them

Jun 18, 1919

Embarked the SS Saturnia in Glasgow, Scotland

Jun 28, 1919

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec

Jun 30, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Montreal, Quebec

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 293327

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Harrowsmith, Ontario

The British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to him at Harrowsmith, Ontario in January of 1926

He was later reported to be living in Lindsay, Ontario and attended the 21^st Battalion’s September 1960 reunion in Peterborough

Mar 11, 1961

Francis Chervon Van Luven died while a patient at the Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital in Toronto, Ontario and was later buried in the Yarker, Ontario Cemetery