| Rank | Private |
| Service # | 189358, 189385 |
| Unit # | 186th, 18th, 91st |
| Resident | Tilbury |
Regimental number: 189385 Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2263 – 4, Item: 332193. PDF: B2263-S004. Date of Birth 27/05/1895 at Tilbury North Twsp., Essex Co., ON. ON. Son of Emma Daigneault of Tilbury, ON., widow. A single printer living in Tilbury. Attestation: 12/11/1915 at Tilbury, ON to 91st overseas Bn. transferred to 186th Bn., 20 years old 5’ 8”.
Private. Phillias J. Daigneault transferred from the 91st. to the 186th. Battalion in February 1916, going overseas March 26th, 1917.
The unit sailed out of Halifax 25/03/17, aboard the S,.S. Lapland. Arriving at Liverpool, England 7/04/17. TOS of the #4 Canadian Reserve Battalion in England, at Bramshot. 20/04/17 24/04/17 the unit transferred overseas to the 18th Battalion in France. Phil was received “In Field” on 31/08/17.
He proceeded to France August 27th, attached to the 18th. Battalion.
On 4/05/1918 Phil was reported WIA with a GSW to the to his left hand along with a concussion (aka “Shell Shock – a type of PTSD). He was treated at #9 General Hospital at Rouen, France 4/05/18. He was sent to Gailford Castle for treatment of his GSW 7/05/18. He was transferred to No.4 Canadian General Hospital at Bassinstoke for treatment to his hand. Transferred to Woodcote – Epson for treatment for his concussion / Shell Shock 28/12/17. He was wounded in November 1917, and after Hospital treatment, returned to the Battalion December 31st. Finally he was invalided to the Western Ontario regt. Depot on the 20th of May 18.
Tilbury Times Thursday, 22/11/1917 reported:
“Tilburyite Reported Wounded.”
“Mrs. Emma Daigneau on Tuesday received a wire [telegram] from the War office that her son Private Phil Daigneau had been admitted to the Field Ambulance Depot on Nov. 22 from a concussion. He enlisted from Tilbury two years ago, while employed in the Times left with the 186th for England last spring. “
Note: The spelling of the Private’s name on his attestation record [enlistment] and the Nominal Roll for the 186th Battalion that boarded the S. S. Lapland on 28 March, 1917 for England was spelled DAIGNEAULT.
In that same paper was another article in the “Letters From the Front” from Phil to Mr. and Mrs. Shaw. Phil worked at the Times prior to his enlistment. The letter is as follows:
“Somewhere in France,
Monday 19 October, 1917.
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Shaw:
Having a few minutes to myself this evening, so I thought I would drop you a few lines. I am well and also the rest of the other boys who are in the 186th Battalion, and hope this finds you in the best of health. I have been in France for about two months and a half, but so far I don’t mind it, outside of a few times when the shells were bursting a little too close to be comfortable and especially in the wee hours of the morning when everything is nice and quiet, and all at 0nce one side or the other opens up, then for a few minutes thrill seems to run up and down a person’s back, that seems to be the worst thing for me I think.
The weather has been very wet, it has been raining about everyday for about a month except for the last couple of days, and the last time in the line it rained and rained all the time, the mud was between one and two feet thick, but they tell me it has got worse since we have come out on rest. I used to think that the mud on Queen Street was bad, but to compare this mud and Tilbury mud would seem like a pavement walk for when we go back and forward of the trenches there are so many shell holes and mud that we can hardly navigate as we step on the side of one of the shell holes and slip in another, and have an awful time to get out as things are so slippery. I met Charlie and Louis Reaume a month or so ago, they were both well and Sonny is still the same old Sonny as ever, full of fun and cheerfulness, we all had supper of bread, jam and cake, as they had received a box on that day which came in awful nice for a little celebrationof our own on our meeting day.
I must close for the present as I have to make my bed and hit the hay for the night, trusting that this finds you well.
Yours sincerely Phil.
Digbate Camp, Shornecliffe, England.”
TT 22/11/1917.
Phil was married to Gertrude [maiden name unkown]. JRH.
Pte. Phil Daignealt was Struck Off Strength 12/12/1918.
Reported returning from O/S duty CDP 22/11/17, 21/12/18, 28/05/19. Phil was discharged at London, ON. 22/01/1919
Phil was married to Gertrude [maiden name unkown]. JRH.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | IODE, Chatham Daily Planet (22-11-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (21-12-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (28-05-1919), RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2263 - 4, GOH Additional information (CDP 22/11/17, 21/12/18, 28/05/19) |
| Height | 5' 8 1/2'' |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Age | 21 |
| Complexion | Fair |
| Hair | Brown |
| Race | White |
| Birthplace | 27/05/1895 at Tilbury North Twsp. ON. |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Last Place of Employment | Printer |
| Average Earnings | $15.00 per week |
| Marital Status | Single |
| When Enlisted | November 15th, 1916 |
| Where Enlisted | Tilbury, Ontario |
| Next of Kin | Mother- Mrs.Emma Daigneault, Tilbury. |
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