Regimental number: 880568. Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box: 870-58, Item: 51988, PDF: B0870 – S038. The son of Sarah Bone of Blenheim, ON.  The husband of Eliza Bone. He was living and farmed at Kent Bridge, Kent Co., ON. Date of Birth: 18/06/1879 at Buxton, Derbyshire, England. Attestation: 31/03/1916 at Chatham, ON to the 186^th O/S Battalion, age 36 years 10 months.  Height 5’ 7”.

Private Frank Bone trained with the 186th. Battalion at London, Camp Borden, and Chatham, going overseas with this unit the latter part of March, 1917. He crossed to France, transferring to the 18th. Battalion.

Frank sailed from Halifax aboard the S.S. Lapland 28/03/17 with the 186^th Batt. arriving at Liverpool, England 7/04/16. He was sent to Bramshott to the 4^th Reserve Battalion awaiting a draft to France. Frank served with the 18^th Batt. CEF. while in France. He was reported ill with Bronchitis 29/12/17, he was reported rejoining the 18^th Batt. 19/01/18 reported recovered and ‘Fit for Service”. He was taking a machine-gun course beginning 21/04/18. According to his medical file Frank was hospitalized for an absess to his left wrist and hospitalized 12/03/17. He was released after treatment and returned to active service as “Fit” 25/06/17  

He was in the Battle of Amienz (August 8 – 20, 1918) when he was seriously wounded in the foot and both thighs by shrapnel. It was reported that he had a 5” long wound in his right thigh, a 11” wound in his left thigh and suspected injury to his right knee.  A wound to his right foot was also from shrapnel. After the casualty clearing post he was transported to No.15 Canadian General Hospital at Taplow. Passed through the General Hospital at Rouen, France 16/08/18, before returning to England. Frank arrived at A. T. Gilford Castle for transport to Taplow 15 Canadian General Hospital also known as the Duchess of Connaught Red Cross hospital 22/10/18.

After two months Frank was moved to the Princess Patricia Convalescent Hospital at Cooden Camp, Ramsgate, Bexhill. He was taken off strength in the 18^th Batt. CEF 

 Curators Note: This would be the same Princess who was the daughter of the Governor General of Canada pre-war, and who the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry PPCLI.) would be named as Col.-In-Chief.   

20/1/19 he was in the Military Hospital at Kirkdale, Liverpool awaiting transport back to Canada. On 24/2/19 Frank left England aboard the H.M.A.T. “Essequibo”, arriving at the port of Portland, Main, USA., 7/03/19.

Frank was not yet done with hospitals nor the Army. He arrived at the Military Hospital at Wolsely Barracks, No. 1 District CEF. He was however granted a furlough to visit home on 28/03/19. On May 10th he was transferred to the Casualty Coy. awaiting is discharge that would follow on the 14^th of May when he was discharged “Medically Unfit”. The opinion of the Medical Board wrote: “ He has moderate difficulty walking due to weakness in muscles of both thighs and right foot from shrapnel, occurring on active service. Sighting: adhesion – muscles left thigh / Atrophy – muscle right thigh and Adhesion of the tendons in Right foot.”  

Frank had spent eight months and operated on at least twice for major injuries. He had served 3 years 36 days. His discharge date on his certificate is 17 May, 1919. 

Dear Mrs. Bone,

Regret very much that the which was written you regarding the death of your son had not reached by May 5^th but should imagine by May 5^th  by now imagine by now you have full particulars. 

Capt. D. St. J. Wigle:

18^th Canadian Battalion.  The place of burial is accurately recorded in the files of the “Raves Registration Committee.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

IODE, Chatham Daily Planet (20-08-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (10-03-1919), IODE(P), B. Bowen email (7/05/15), CDP (5/03/19 / 10/03/19), LAC-FNF

Height	5' 7 1/4"
Eye Colour	Blue
Age	38
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Brown
Race	White
Birthplace	England
Religion	Methodist
Last Place of Employment	Threshing and Moving Buildings.
Average Earnings	$5.00 per day
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Info	June 15th, 1904, Louisville, Ontario.
When Enlisted	March 30th, 1916
Where Enlisted	Chatham, Ontario
Allowance from Patriotic Fund	$5.00 per month
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Eliza Bone, Kent Bridge, Ontario.

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