Oct 4, 1892
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Born in Toronto, Ontario to
Frederick William and Charlotte (nee Tolhursh) Weston
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Above as
a young teen and as a young man prior to enlistment
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Nov 5, 1914
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Attested into the 21st
Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 60049 (temporary number 360)
Ø Next of kin given
as Charlotte Weston, mother, Campbellford, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation
given as Shoemaker
Ø Claimed that he
currently belonged to the active militia, but no regiment was named
Ø Religion given as
Baptist
Ø Posted to “C” Company
o This was later reorganized
into “B” Company
The battalion trained in the
Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries
Edmund’s brother Clifford
Weston, joined the battalion at the same time
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Feb 23, 1915
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The 21st Battalion
hockey team defeated the 14th Regiment Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles
5 – 0. Clifford Weston played defence
while Edmund Weston played left wing
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama in
Montreal, Quebec
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May 8, 1915
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Appointed to the rank of Lance
Corporal with pay while onboard
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport,
England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe,
Kent to continue training
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Aug 30, 1915
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Promoted to the rank of
Corporal to replace Cpl Cann, 59136, who reverted to the rank of Private
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St. Seiriol in
Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Boulogne,
France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer
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Oct 26, 1915
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Proceeded on the NCO Course at
the Trench Warfare School
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Nov 20, 1915
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Rejoined the battalion from
the trench warfare school
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Dec 26, 1915
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Promoted to rank of Sergeant
to replace Sgt WL Campbell 59135, who was transferred to the 4th
Brigade Machine Gun Corps
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Dec 30, 1915
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While the battalion was in the
front line N & O trench system near Voormezeele, Belgium, Corporal Weston
received a shrapnel wound to his head and after receiving first aid, was
evacuated to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for treatment
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Dec 31, 1915
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Transferred to the Division
Rest Station at Godewaersvelde
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Jan 10, 1916
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Transferred to the North Midland
Division Casualty Clearing Station at Mont des Cats
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Jan 13, 1916
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Rejoined the battalion from
the casualty clearing station
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Feb 21, 1916
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Granted 9 days leave
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Mar 1, 1916
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Rejoined the battalion from leave
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Sep 15, 1916
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During the battle of the
Somme, the 21st Battalion was assigned the objective of capturing
the strongly defended German Headquarters in the sugar factory south of
Courcelette, France. The fighting was
fierce and the battalion suffered many losses. Sergeant Edmund Charles Weston was killed and
his identifiable body was never recovered from the battlefield. As such, his name is etched on the walls of
the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those killed in
France during the war and have no known grave.
Following the war, the 1914-15
Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll
were sent to his father, Fred W. Weston, Drawer 346, Campbellford, Ontario
The Memorial Cross was sent to
his mother, Mrs. Charlotte Weston at the same address
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Toronto
Star, October 11, 1916
Edmund
Weston is also honoured on the Campbellford, Ontario War Memorial
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