Jun 14, 1894

Born in Hamilton, Ontario to Edwin Charles and Jessie Ellen (nee Douglass) Whitefoot

Oct 6, 1915

Edwin Whitefoot attempted to enlist in the 59^th Battalion in the Barriefield Camp at Kingston, Ontario.  Although he had not actually been attested, he was issued a discharge certificate as being Medically Unfit on this date.  It is assumed that he walked down the line to the next battalion as he attested the same day into the 80^th Battalion CEF in the same camp that he had just been discharged from, the Barriefield Camp

Ø  Number 219888

Ø  Next of kin given as E. Whitefoot, father, Bancroft, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 49^th Regiment, Hastings Rifles, Canadian Militia

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Even though he had been declared physically unfit by the 59^th Battalion, he was declared to be fit by the Medical Officer of the 80^th Battalion with no defects.

Jan 5, 1916

Forfeited 1 day’s pay

Embarked the SS Baltic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Disembarked in Liverpool, England

Jun 13, 1916

Transferred to the 74^th Battalion in Bramshott

Jun 16, 1916

Transferred to the 51^st Battalion in Bramshott

Sep 11, 1916

Medical Board reports that his vision is defective in both eyes, but that he is still fit for duty.  This is the likely reason for his discharge from the 59^th Battalion in Kingston

Nov 13, 1916

The 51^st Battalion was renamed and designated as the Garrison Duty Battalion

Dec 4, 1916

Attached to the 4^th Canadian Labour Battalion for duty

Feb 17, 1917

Transferred to the 4^th Canadian Labour Battalion

Mar 14, 1917

The 4^th Canadian Labour Battalion proceeded to France

Nov 3, 1917

While working in the area between Ypres and Passchendaele Belgium, Private Whitefoot received shrapnel wounds to his left shoulder and leg and was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 44 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Nov 4, 1917

Transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 57 General Hospital in Boulogne

Nov 7, 1917

Transferred to the No. 7 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne

Nov 10, 1917

Transferred to the No. 10 Convalescent Depot in Ecault, France

Dec 20, 1917

Transferred to the No. 3 Rest Camp in Boulogne

Dec 23, 1917

Discharged from hospital care and transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in Etaples.

Posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Mar 18, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Mar 19, 1918

TOS the 21^st Battalion

Apr 1, 1918

After leaving the base depot, Private Whitefoot joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France

Apr 15, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp he joined the 21^st Battalion in the front lines west of Cambrai

Oct 11, 1918

The 21^st Battalion attacked the enemy just south of Iwuy, France and was instrumental in moving the German army out of the town and pushing them to the east.  The battalion suffered heavy losses and Private Edwin Whitefoot was killed in the severe fighting.  He was buried in the Niagara Military Cemetery, south of Iwuy.

Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Edwin Whitefoot, Bancroft, Ontario

There was no Memorial Cross issued

Edwin Whitefoot is honoured on the war memorial in Bancroft, Ontario