Jun 14, 1890

Born in Northumberland County, Ontario to Freeman Albert and Elizabeth Ann (nee Johnson) Walbridge

Feb 6, 1916

Attested into the 155^th Battalion CEF in Stirling, Ontario

Ø  Number 636613

Ø  Next of kin given as Elizabeth Ann Walbridge, mother, Indian River, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

 
The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

 These photos were probably taken the on the same day, shortly after he enlisted

Jun 5, 1916

Admitted to the Barriefield Military Hospital with an infected eye

Jun 6, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

Oct 30, 1916

Sentenced to 14 days detention and forfeited 88 day’s pay for an unrecorded offence

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Dec 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 147 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

 
On arrival at the Rouelles Camp, he was immediately admitted to the No. 39 General Hospital in Havre with a diagnosis that reads Scabies

Dec 12, 1916

Discharged from hospital for duty with the base depot

Dec 29, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin

Feb 22, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Walbridge joined the 21^st Battalion in reserve trenches north of Arras, France

Jul 22, 1917

Attached to the 4^th Canadian Machine Gun Company for duty

Aug 29, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion from duty with the machine gun company

Nov 9, 1917

The 21^st Battalion moved into the Passchendaele front in Belgium the night of November 2-3.  During the night of November 9, Private Walbridge was a part of a large work party sent out to rebuild damaged trenches near the front.  While moving into the area, a German artillery shell landed in the midst of the men, killing and wounding many of them.  Private Thomas Albert Walbridge was one of those instantly killed.  He was buried a couple days later in the White House Cemetery, north-east of Ypres, Belgium.

 Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Albert Walbridge, Indian River, Ontario

 
The Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. E. Walbridge, at the same address

Thomas Walbridge is honoured on the War Memorial
in Peterborough, Ontario (above)
and the Dummer Township, Ontario War Memorial, Below