Pte. Regimental number: 491298. Reference: RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2907-29 [PDF B2907-S029]. Date of Birth 9/04/1896 at Leeds, Yorkshire, England. Son of Thomas and Jane E. (nee Hirst) Emmott of 186 Raleigh St., Chatham, ON. (also 36 Gray St., Chatham). He had two brothers Joseph and Walter. The family had come to Chatham from England about three years before the war.

Prior to his enlistment he was single and a book binder by trade. Probably living at home. He was reported as being on the staff of the Chatham Daily Planet (date unknown)

Attestation 10/08/1915 at London, ON., age 19 years 4 months 5’ 7”, medical completed 13/10/15.

Went overseas with the 33^rd Battalion, aboard the S. S. Lapland 13/03/16 arriving in England 26/03/16.. Transferred to the 4^th Canadian Mounted Rifles (no longer mounted) reporting 7/06/16. John was reported WIA, GSW to the shoulder 17/09/16. He was admitted to  #8 General Hospital at Wimereux [the 17^th century sea Fort Mahon is on the coast there] John recovered from his GSW to his left shoulder and reported back to his unit 1/10/16 and was reporting for active duty 14/10/16. See letter Capt. W.R. Muirhead for more details.

He proceeded to France in April 1916 participated in the Ypres Battle of June 1916, also in the Somme Battle in Sept. 1916 when he was shot through the shoulder.

After six weeks in the Base Hospital he rejoined his unit.

Pte. John Ernest EMMOTT, DOW at No.18 Casualty Clearing Station during the  Battle of Vimy Ridge 14/04/17. According to a newspaper article (date unknown) he was wounded on the first day of the advance on Vimy Ridge. He was wounded in the shoulders, legs and hands. There was some hope of his ultimate recovery. He suffered a relapse on the 13^th and “passed away peacefully the following evening”.  After the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917 he was reported to have died of wounds in Casualty Clearing Station Apr. 14.  Curators Note: There are none of these particulars in his military records.  He was buried at B 63 cemetery originally, and was moved and reburied at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France.  

Private Emmott was buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. LAC search.

Mrs. Jane Emmott, his widowed mother, was awarded the Memorial Cross and scroll 2/03/1921. Her first notification on the status of her son came as follows: “Deeply regret to inform you 491298, Pte. John Ernest Emmott, Mounted Rifles officially reported died of wounds No.18 casualty Clearing Station April 14”

John had been overseas for about 15 months and was involved in the Somme offensive  and was wounded in the shoulder. His mother had received a letter from her son that he was in good health save a problem with ‘bolis’. This would have been before he was TOS for active service. He indicated that he was just doing clerical work.

On April 9^th he had observed “the anniversary of his birth” ironically it was his last one.

There was a memorial service at Christ Church in Chatham which was well attended “Honour Paid To Memory of Late Pte. E. Emmott’.  

Mrs. Emmott, living at 36 Gray St., Chatham received the following letter in part:

“Your son was wounded by a shell burst on Vimy Ridge on April 11^th. He was not in the attack as he was acting as a bugler and company clerk and we left him out. But on the night of the 10^th, every available man had to come up as reinforcements, and during the heavy shelling of our line on the afternoon of the 11^th he was hit.Although he was badly hit we thought he had a chance, as he was taken to the clearing station without delay, and I was greatly shocked some time later to hear he had died of his wounds.

It is very difficult for us to keep track of out boys after they go back from the line. Unless they write we have no means of knowing where they are. Consequently, I do not know if he left any dying message but feel sure if he had that the people at the C.C.S. would have sent it to you as they are always very good in  that respect. Any personal belongings will be sent to you through the Canadian Records Office, London, England the authorized channel.

Your son was a fine boy and a good soldier. He was one of the few left who had been through the Somme last year with me, and for that reason I made him company clerk, as in that way he could be left out of the line more often than otherwise.

I hop this meager information may be of value to you and greatly regret I am unable to give you more .

R. Muirhead, Captain.

Curators Note: Captain William Robert Muirhead, Born in St. Louis Missouri, USA. 4^th CMR. DOW 26/10/17 and is on the Menin Gate (no known grave).

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cenotaph	Chatham and Kent County Cenotaph - Chatham
Sources	Chatham Daily Planet (23-09-1916), Chatham Daily Planet (25-09-1916), Chatham Daily Planet (28-04-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (07-05-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (28-07-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (08-08-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (29-10-1917), Chatham Daily News (25-04-1919), Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919), PDF B2907-5029(LAC-FMF) CVWM
Supplemental Information	Mother: Mrs. Jane Emmott, Chatham Brothers: Joseph Pte. Walter Emmott, 91st Bat.

Height	5'7"
Eye Colour	blue
Age	19
Complexion	fair
Hair	brown
Race	white
Birthplace	Leeds, England
Religion	Anglican
Last Place of Employment	The Planet Printing Office, Chatham
Marital Status	single
When Enlisted	Aug. 9 1915
Where Enlisted	London, Ontario

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