Private W.A.W. Down trained seven years with the 24th. Kent Regiment, Chatham.

Private W.A.W. Down was promoted to Lance Corporal while with the 91st. Battalion; was transferred to the 186th. Battalion in February 1916; received promotion to Corporal May 30th, 1916, and to Sergeant November 15th, 1916. He was transferred to the 122nd. Canadian Forestry Corps March 21st, 1917, as Private, and served with the 43rd. Company, C.F.C. near Orleans, France. April 11th, 1918, he suffered an accident by being hit on the head by a falling tree, and due to the effects was admitted to hospital at Rouen April 25th, 1918. During an air-raid on the hospital Private Down was carried, unconscious, to La Havre, and taken to England where he was admitted to No.4 Canadian General Hospital, Basingstroke, April 28th, 1918. He left England for Canada September 24th, 1918, arriving at Halifax October 10th, 1918. After convalescence in hospital at London, Ontario, he was taken on the strength of the western Ontario Military Hospital, as Corporal, February 12th, 1919.

Sgt. 189626. Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2639-51, Item: 363988, PDF: B2639-SO51.Born in London, England date of birth 7/09/1888. Next of Kin: Mrs. Walter (Roseabell ‘Rose’ Down. Walter was listed as a farmer and a railroad section hand at his enlistment.

Prior to his enlistment he was a member of the 24^th Battalion in Chatham. Attestation: 13/12/15 at St.Thomas to the 186^th Batt. transferred to the 92st Batt. for overseas duty. At the time of his enlistment age 27 years / 2 months. Height 5’ 2 ½” or 5’ 1 1/2” (this would have been too short for enlistment at that time of enlistment which was 5’ 3”). His complexion was Fair, eyes Blue and hair Sandy. It was noted that he had a number of small scars on his back of his right shoulder 

At the time of Walter’s enlistment his mother was as net of kin, living at 97 Lacroix St., Chatham, ON.

Walter departed Halifax aboard the HMT 2810 (S.S. Olympic) 28/05/17 with the 91^st Overseas Batt. Arrived at Liverpool, England 10/06/17. After some basic training in England he went overseas to France 28/08/17.

Once in France Walter was transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corp (CFC). (Due to his height he as not fit, at that time, the minimum then was 5’ 3”. He made Sergeant in the  in the CFC. He was also awarded the the “Good Conduct Badge” 2/02/18. He was given a 15 day leave to visit th UK 9/03/18 to 30/03/18.     

It is difficult to determine at what point he became disabled. 10/04//18 Walter was classified “A” – Disability and was reported sent to 43 CFC hospital at Orleans and transferred to #10 Canadian General Hospital – admitted for “Sick Hysteria” and transferred 30/05/18 to #4 Cdn. General Hospital – Basingstoke for treatment for Hysteria.

Walter was reported transported to England  5/06/18 and admitted to hospital 8/06/18. It would appear that after a medical examination he was invalided to Canada 24/09/18 and he was Struck Off Service 1/10/18.

It was reported that Sgt. Down contracted Influenza between 13 – 20/05 1919 (perhaps the Spanish flu)?  

A report re: Sgt. Down, W. A. Done at London, ON. 23/09/19 went as follows:

“Steree 14 x 17 plates were made of the chest. The pervertebral glands show considerable thickening. There is a slight haziness throughout both slides of the chest, extending to the apices. Apparently some slight metting in the upper lobes. The heart and diaphragm are normal.”   

It was reported that Sgt. W. A. W. was given his discharge effective 26/09/19. The reported living at 192 Richmond St., Chatham, OM.

What follows is a “Medical History of an Invalid” from his Military file::

Under height at enlistment at 5’ 1 ½” , 125 lbs. muscles – Well developed.

A permanent condition – no greater than at the time of enlistment. Walter was credited for service in Canada, England and France

After his “Medical History of an Invalid 22/03/1917 he was transferred to the Forestry Battalion at Chatham, ON 

He contracted Typhoid Fever in 1914 and took 11 weeks to fully recover 

After enlistment he was recommended for treatment in a sanatorium. He was listed as “Medically Unfit – Regulation 1894 commission for future treatment.

His date of discharge from the Western Ontario Military Hospital , London, ON. was 26/09/1919. [this hospital would become Westminister Hospital between the Great War and the WWII for many years there after]. He was reported living at 192 Richmond St., Chatham.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

IODE, Chatham Daily Planet (09-10-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (11-10-1918), LAC

Height	5' 3"
Eye Colour	Blue
Age	27
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Brown
Race	White
Birthplace	London, England
Religion	Anglican
Last Place of Employment	Farmer in Harwich Township.
Marital Status	Single
When Enlisted	December 6th, 1915
Where Enlisted	Chatham, Ontario
Next of Kin	Father- Walter Down, 192 Richmond Street, Mother- Mrs. Rosabella Down, Brother- Arthur George Down, 70th. Battalion (Killed in Action)

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