Bugler Dyer enlisted Jan. 2, 1916 with the 91st battalion transferring later to the 186th Kent Battalion.

He left for overseas Mar. 26, 1917, training at Bramshott Camp, England, until June 6 when he crossed to France with the first draft from the Kents to reinforce the 18th battalion.

He was killed in action Aug. 21, 1917.

Regimental number: 189746. RG 150,Accession: 1992-93, BOX: 2790-7, Item:- 371235, PDF: B2790-SO07. Date of Birth: 21/03/1897 at Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan, USA. John was living in Chatham, ON, with his father James (Next of Kin) and mother Rebecca Dyer, then living at his attestation at 174 Gray St., Chatham (later living at 189 William St. South, Chatham. At the time of his enlistment John was a single woodworker by trade.

Age at attestation: 18 years & 9 months. Height: 5’ 4”, Complexion: Fair, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Light Brown. It was noted on his Medical 3/01/16 : Small brown ‘Brthmark left rear shoulder.

Attestatiuon dated 3/01/16 at St. Thomas, ON. To 91^st Batt.

Embarked at Halifax, NS. 25/05/17 aboard the S.S. Lapland with 186^th Overseas Battalion. Disembarked at Liverpool, England 7/04/17. Transferred to 4^th Cdn. Reserve Batt. 6/06/17 at Bramshott, England to the 17^th / 18^th Battalions for overseas to France. Jack was TOS. With the 18^th Batt at Estaples, France 16/06/17  

He was KIA as a result of an explosion of high Explosive artillery shell that burst on the road the unit was moving on. The explosion left 53 casualties of which 23 were fatal, of which Pte Dyer was killed instantly 21//08/17. This was after the battle at Hill 70

He is buried at Aux-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension (1.M.11). Pas-de-Calais – France 

John had Assigned Pay ($20.00) to his mother Georgina  living at 174 Gray St., Chatham. He was awarded the 14/15 Star, English War Medal, his mother received the Memorial Cross although she had passed away before 11/11/1920 and the Roll and Plaque was sent to his father 1010/1920 

There is a photo of John with his adopted mother (Rebeca Clements) Dyer. Johns mother had died after he was born 

The following came by Ruth Ann (Ellerbeck) Peaue:

 

PRIVATE JOHN CLENENTS DYER a Story:

Pte Jack Dyer 189746 joined the infantry division of the 186^th Battalion. He was in the 1^st draft to leave Kent for France in 1917. They gathered at the Armouries in Chatham and marched to the Grand Trunk Station in time to catch the east bound Walbash. Segt. William Taylor was incharge at the Armouries. The men had been rapidly rounded up into shape.

34 recruits joined the 91^st Battalion at St. Thomas heading for the firing lines in France. Pte Dyers last words as he left for the train were “Pray for me.” 

Letter to my Great Grandmother Rebecca “Clements” Dyer from  Lieut Spencer, former officer of the 18^th Battalion. Mr. and Mrs. James Dyer had lived on the corner of Gray and Lacroix St., Chatham

France August 28^th 1917. 

John had been killed by a long range shell which fell in the middle of the company as they were marching back to their billets about four miles from the firing line.

It seem so sad the Lieut. writes that the boys who had been through so much trouble in the front line should fall by a stray shell.

The first time I came in contact with your son in this Battalion was when we were in a shell hole together with a wounded man and four others all one day. Your son helped to carry the wounded man until he could not go a step further and he came out with me night as 9 guides to a stretcher party.

 

He showed the greatest pluck and courage all the time and I could not help admiring his coolness for a boy so young.

He went out again, three times with a party trying to locate a shell hole and all through the attack of the 15^th and the days in the trenches afterward he carried on as a true soldier and went right through the show.

I am  enclosing some photographs he had in his pocket and another parcel of his personal effects taken from his tunic thinking that you might care for them in memory of your brave son who lies right up to the name of a good soldier.  

Inclosed was a pocket Bible – In it was written “I shall fear no evil.”  Mrs. Maude Ellerbeck cherished that small Bible all her life. He continues:

I trust you will accept my sincere sympathy in your bereavement.

Yours Truly.

Liet. George Spencer.

 

Curator’s Note: – Lieut. George Johnson SPENCER. 186^th Batt. Attestation at Chatham, ON. JRH.

Some where in France. Aug.1917

Helped “Inter” Fallen Comrades.

(Pte. Welsh writes to his parents of the heavy fighting)

Pte. Welsh reported he helped bury four men. One of which was my great Uncle Jack Dyer. It was in a very nice cemetery back of the line. He did not know how he escaped from this shelling that killed and wounded so many. I was only ten feet away from where the men were killed.

The officers said it was the worst battle of the war even worse than the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Somme.

After the battle his clothes were rags and he was all scratched. They were all fitted up with new cloths 

Capt. Brackin, G. G. (MC) KIA -26/08/18 Lieur Oliver, Douglas R. (Capt.) and Lieut. Spencer, George Johnson (DSO) and Mowbray, James Nathen (WIA) had joined the 18^th  

Curator’s Note: The officers listed above with additional information. JRH.

Contact information: Ruth Ann (Ellerbeck) Pearce.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cenotaph	Chatham and Kent County Cenotaph - Chatham
Sources	Chatham Daily Planet (14-09-1917), Park Street Methodist Church, Books of Remembrance for the Great War 1914 - 18. At St. Andrews UC, Chatham - January 2010, Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919)
Supplemental Information	Father: James Dyer, Chatham Mother: Mrs. Georgina Dyer Sisters: Mrs. Ira Elleibeck Mrs. Herman R. Dolsen Brother: George T. Dyer

Height	5'8"
Eye Colour	blue
Age	17
Complexion	fair
Hair	fair
Race	white
Birthplace	Detroit, Michigan
Religion	Methodist
Last Place of Employment	William Gray - Sons - Campbell Company, Chatham
Marital Status	single
When Enlisted	Jan. 2, 1916
Where Enlisted	Chatham, Ontario

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