Edmund Charles Weston



Oct 4, 1892

Born in Toronto, Ontario to Frederick William and Charlotte (nee Tolhursh) Weston

 

 

 
Above as a young teen and as a young man prior to enlistment

 

Nov 5, 1914

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

 

Feb 23, 1915

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

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

  

 

May 8, 1915

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal with pay while onboard

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Aug 30, 1915

Promoted to the rank of Corporal to replace Cpl Cann, 59136, who reverted to the rank of Private

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

  

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Oct 26, 1915

Proceeded on the NCO Course at the Trench Warfare School

 

Nov 20, 1915

Rejoined the battalion from the trench warfare school

 

Dec 26, 1915

Promoted to rank of Sergeant to replace Sgt WL Campbell 59135, who was transferred to the 4th Brigade Machine Gun Corps

 

Dec 30, 1915

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

 

Dec 31, 1915

Transferred to the Division Rest Station at Godewaersvelde

 

Jan 10, 1916

Transferred to the North Midland Division Casualty Clearing Station at Mont des Cats

 

Jan 13, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from the casualty clearing station

 

Feb 21, 1916

Granted 9 days leave

 

Mar 1, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from leave

 

Sep 15, 1916

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

 

Toronto Star, October 11, 1916

  

Edmund Weston is also honoured on the Campbellford, Ontario War Memorial

 

 



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