Wilfred Forbes Withrow, MM

 

 

Feb 9, 1898

Born at Montreal Quebec

 

Nov 18, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Number 60089 (temporary number 366)

Ø      Next of kin given as William James Withrow (father) of 238 Gladstone Ave, Ottawa Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Scholar

Ø      Previous military experience given as 3 years with the CS Corps

Ø      Religion given as Wesleyan

Ø      Assigned to “C” Company

o       This was later reorganized into “B” Company 

A nominal roll was printed in February of 1915 and he is noted as being employed in the “C” Company Signals Section 

He lied about his age on enlistment, stating that he was born in 1896, meaning that he was only 16 years of age when he enlisted.

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec

 

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp near Hythe Kent

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St Seiriol at Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked at Boulogne France and proceeded to St Omer

 

Nov 11, 1916

Proceeded on the Signals Course

 

Nov 18, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

 

Dec 25, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

 

Jan 6, 1917

At duty from leave

 

Jan 17, 1917

Admitted to the CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a shrapnel wound to his right leg received during the Calonne Trench Raid.  Surgery performed to remove shrapnel balls

 

Jan 21, 1917

Transferred to No 20 General Hospital at Camiers

 

Jan 24, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven

 

Posted to CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) while in hospital 

Admitted to Metropolitan Hospital, London

 

Mar 10, 1917

Posted to EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital

 

Mar 12, 1917           Awarded the Military Medal per London Gazette # 29981

 

This was for the Calonne Trench Raid, January 17, 1917

 

Mar 14, 1917

Transferred to the Hillingdon House Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Uxbridge

 

Mar 31, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom

 

Jul 24, 1917

Transferred to Princess Patricia’s Canadian Special Hospital at Ramsgate.  Shrapnel wound mostly healed but complains of stomach trouble and treated with Bismuth mixture

 

Aug 30, 1917

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom, to receive physical therapy

 

Oct 19, 1917

Discharged from the Convalescent Hospital and granted 12 days leave

 

Nov 8, 1917

On Command to CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) Buxton

 

Nov 9, 1917

TOS (Taken On Strength) No 3 Special Service Company

 

Nov 17, 1917

Embarked the RMS Saxonia at Liverpool

 

 

Nov 30, 1917

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa Ontario

 

Jan 7, 1918

Medical Board at Ottawa notes 

Ø      Present address 238 Gladstone Ave, Ottawa Ontario

Ø      Note that the shrapnel wound has healed but can only walk 2 miles and then his knee “gives way”

 

Feb 8, 1918

Discharged at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Rank on discharge Pte

Ø      Intended residence on discharge 238 Gladstone Ave, Ottawa Ontario

Ø      Occupation given as Student

 

Nov 29, 1919

Medical Board at Toronto notes: 

Ø      Current address 246 Jarvis St, Toronto Ontario

Ø      Next of kin given as Mother, at 277 O’Conner St, Ottawa Ontario

Ø      Occupation given as Student

 

Sep 29, 1921

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to 39 Alexander Blvd, Toronto Ontario

 

Mar 12, 1924

Married to Evelyn Gertrude Withrow at Toronto Ontario 

Note that her maiden name is the same as her married name.  I could find no family connection, but probably a cousin.  Residence on marriage 39 Alexandra Blvd, Toronto 

In 1934 he is noted as being employed by the Canadian National Railway at Toronto Ontario


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