Oct 4, 1886

Born in Potton, Bedfordshire, England to Jonathan and Naomi “Annie” (nee Pettengell) Whitfield

Jul 27, 1915

Attested into the 76^th Battalion CEF in Hamilton, Ontario

Ø  Number 141584

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Naomi Whitfield, mother, Potton, Bedfordshire, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “B” Company

Assigned to the battalion’s 1^st Draft

The battalion trained in Camp Niagara, Ontario

Sep 30, 1915

The battalion’s first draft boarded a train for Toronto to make a connection for travel to Montreal

Oct 1, 1915

Embarked the SS Scandinavian in Montreal, Quebec as part of the battalion’s 1^st Draft

Oct 10, 1915

Disembarked in Portsmouth, England and proceeded to West Sandling where the draft was absorbed into the 39^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Feb 29, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Mar 2, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 947 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Mar 16, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Whitfield joined the 21^st Battalion resting in La Clytte, Belgium

Apr 22, 1916

While in the front line trench near Voormezeele, Belgium, Private Frederick Whitfield was killed by the explosion of an enemy artillery shell and was buried by his comrades in a field behind the front line.  When the war ended, his identifiable remains could not be found and his name is recorded on the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium for those killed during the war in Belgium and have no known grave

Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widowed mother, Mrs. Naomi Whitfield, King St., Potton, Bedfordshire, England

Frederick Whitfield is honoured on the Potton, England War Memorial