| Rank | Private |
| Service # | 189420, 880822 |
| Unit # | 186th, 91st, Scout Sec., 18th |
| 24th Reg. | Yes |
| Resident | Dresden, Chatham Twsp. |
Regimental number: 189420. Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 1475 – 45, Item: 86826, PDF: B1475 – S045. Date of Birth: 25/08/1897 at Dresden, ON. The son of Edward and Carrie Capeling of 15 Pine St., Chatham. Carrie was living at 73 Park Ave., West., Chatham. They also listed the street address as 74 Park Ave. West. The brother of Katherine Bernice, Theodore Alvah, Wellington Carl, Gloria Joanne, Helen and Ruth Lenore.
He spent three years as a Public School Cadet and one year in the Junior Militia.
Private L.E. Capeling transferred to 186th Battalion March, 1916. He sailed for England in March 1917, went to France August 1917 and joined the 18th Battalion. He was wounded November 1917, and again was wounded in August 1919. He crossed the German frontier December 6th, 1918. He left Germany January 20th, 1919 and arrived in Canada on May 22nd, 1919.
Discharged May 24th, 1919 at London, Ontario, receive course at Canada Business College through DSCR for minority at enlistment.
Leo was serving in the 24th Kent Regt. prior to the outbreak of war. He would originally enlist with the 91st Batt., service No. 880228.
Leo Edward Capeling Goes to War.
Service #189420
R. Hind
According to his attestation papers, he joined the 91st O.S. (Overseas) Battalion on the 22nd of November, 1915 at St. Thomas, Ontario. He later transferred to the 186th Battalion on the 28 February, 1916. He listed his birthplace as Dresden, Ontario and was born on 25 August, 1897, making his age at Attestation as 18 years, 5 months. As next of kin he listed Mrs. Edward Capeling (Mother) of 43 Park Avenue, Chatham, Ontario. He was employed as a driver.
At attestation he reported his height at 5’ 5”, weight 132 pounds, fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair and a 31” – 34” expanded chest.
Leo Edward sailed from Canada on 25 March, 1917 on the SS Lapland and after 13 days debarked at Liverpool, England on 7 April, 1917. From Liverpool he was transported to Canadian Corp Segregation Camp at Bramshott and Taken On Service (TOS) with the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion 7 April, 1917. He was later transferred to the 18th Battalion TOS on 24 August, 1917.
On the 20th of February, 1918 he began a 14 days leave from the 18th Battalion. Sometime after that leave he was sent to France on 9 August, 1918 he received a shrapnel wound to the right side of the head, upper right arm (humorous) and right hand.
While in service he attained the rank of private and was paid $15.00 per month. He sailed for “Demobilization” from Liverpool 14 May, 1919 on board SS Caronia. After arrival in Canada he was Discharged 24 May, 1919 to his residence at 74 Park Avenue West, Chatham, Ontario.
Curators Note: The above information was gather by myself while working on the family tree of the Capeling family. Subsequent to the above the Library Archives Canada had released the complete military records for the Great War. The following is from those records. JRH.
Leo enlisted with the 186th Batt. 189420.
He received medical care for a GSW to the head and Right humerus (hand). After the Casualty Clearing Station he was sent to No.2 Cdn. General Hospital at Le Terport 9/08/18. By the end of September he was transferred to No.3 Convolescent Depot.
He was processed to England 4/04/1919 and Discharged from the Army 24/05/1919 at London, ON.
After leaving the Army Leo attended the Canada Business College in Chatham. Leo also returned to the Kent Regt. where he gained the rank of Lieutenant and appears in a photo of the officers of the regiment printed in the CDN 30/06/62.
Sadly Leo was killed in a motor vehicle accident while returning to Chatham when a stray horse jumped in front of his friend’s car. 25 June, 1929 The accident occurred half a mile south of Charring Cross on the Raleigh – Harwich town line. Lieut Leo E. Capeling is buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | Park Street Methodist Church, Books of Remembrance for the Great War 1914 - 18. At St. Andrews UC, Chatham - January 2010, Park Street Methodist Church, Books of Remembrance for the Great War 1914 - 18. At St. Andrews UC, Chatham - January 2010, Chatham Daily Planet (13-04-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (19-08-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (20-08-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (12-09-1918), Chatham Daily News (24-05-1919), Chatham Daily Planet (25-05-1919), Centennial Chatham 1895-1995 - John Rhodes (LAC-FMF, Photo Pte.Capling, CDP 3/09/18, CDN 27/06/29) |
| Height | 5' 2" |
| Eye Colour | Blue |
| Age | 17 |
| Complexion | Fair |
| Hair | Light Brown |
| Race | White |
| Birthplace | Chatham Township |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Last Place of Employment | Hayes Wheels Co. |
| Average Earnings | $20.00 per week |
| When Enlisted | November 11th, 1915 |
| Where Enlisted | Chatham, Ontario |
| Next of Kin | Mother- Mrs. Capeling, 69 Park Ave., W. Chatham. |
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