| Rank | Private |
| Service # | 126407 |
| Resident | Thamesville |
Regimental number: 126407 Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 945 – 43 Item: 57004, PDF: B0945-S043. Date of Birth 21/05/1897 at Edingburgh, Scotland. N of K: Herbert Bowd of Thamesville, ON. Occupation: Farmer. Attestation: 11/09/1915 @ Stratford, ON. to 71st Bn.
Not found on CWGC. Reported as DOW in the CDP 16/10/16.
Curators Note: At first account he was reported as DOW fortunately he was only severely Wounded In Action.JRH.
After his enlistment to the 71st overseas battalion he embarked at Halifax, NS. aboard the S.S. Olympic which departed 1/04/17. He arrived at Liverpool, England 11/04/16. From there he was transferred to the 44th Bn. 29/05/16 for training in England. At the completion of his training he was TOS to the 71st Batt. 29/05/16, until embarking for France 9/06/16 at which he was transferred to the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles 11/06/16. He would serve with them from 11/06/16 to 30/09/16 when he was WIA during the Battle of the Somme.
It was while serving with the 2nd CMR he was wounded in action by GSW and Shrapnel, some 28 wounds in his forearms, thighs, buttocks and back. He was reported as DOW 12/10/16 at No.6 General Hospital, Roune, France.
The shrapnel wounds were addressed at Beauport War Hospital at Bristol, England. From there he would begin a long journey through many hospitals. He was recieved at Shoreham hospital 24/10/16 for in England for assessment. Then to Bear Wood Hospital, Wokingham 7/02/17, Cdn. General Hospital Woodcote Park – Epson, where most of the shrapnel wounds were taken care of.
He would convoles at the Ontario Military Hospital – Opington, then Bromley and back to Woodcote Park – Convolescent Hospital. He would be finally discharged from hospital 14/07/17.
Alfred was for a time at CTWS. – Bexhill as a ‘Batman’. He was then reported as “Medically Fit For Duty” at Buxton, England. However there was still a few pieces of shrapnel sill in his forearm. “Shrapnel still is present in his right hand and forearm causing some pain.”
Alfred was TOS in England at Buxton Point 1/11/17. He embarked for Canada from Liverpool 6/11/17. He would arrive back in Canada 22/11/17.
Once back in Canada he would be back in hospital, this time at the Quebec Military Hospital for accute Tonsillitis. He would be transferred to Freeport for treatment from 16/11/17 to 22/11/17, at which time he his wounds had healed except a small piece of shrapnel in his right hand causing some ‘slight pain’, his right arm movement was better but still weak. No other disability was reported. He had suffered 14 wounds in his right leg, 7 on the left leg, 3 right forearm and two in his left arm.
At his Medical Board hearing he was designated as “Not permanently unfit for Military Service”, That being said Alfred was granted leave as “Medically Unfit Due to Service. 29/05/1918.
Afa: LAC – Complete file, JRH.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (16-10-1916), RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 945 - 43 |
| Height | 5'2 1/2" |
| Age | 18 |
| Complexion | (1 ½” scar left elbow) |
| Birthplace | 21/05/1897 in Edingburgh, Scotland |
| Last Place of Employment | Farmer |
| Next of Kin | Herbert Bowd of Thamesville, ON. |
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