RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166 Box 5153-40, Item: 496916, PDF: B5153. Present address: Tilbury. Born in St. Thomas, ON., the son of Charles and Annie Kimmerly of Tilbury, who had moved from Comber just prior to the outbreak of war. He had three brothers Percy M., Howard C., and Charles D.  A Brakeman on the railroad. Single,  he had no previous military training.

Attestation: 7/01/1916 at Tilbury. Apparent age: 21 years, Height: 5’ 2”, Girth: 40”, Weight: 170#. Reported “Fit” at Tilbury 10/01/16.   

Pte. Kimmerly trained with the 99^th Bn. TOS 10/01/16. Training 10/01/16 to May of 1916 and he had been promoted to the rank of L/Cpl.

Embarked at Halifax NS. 31/05/16 aboard the S.S.Olympic. Disembarked at Liverpool, England 8/06/16. 

The popular young man was 22 years old when he enlisted 8/01/16 with the 99^th Essex Bn., which he went overseas, arriving in England 9/06/16.  28/08/16 left for unit 2/09/16 and re-joined 3/10/16.

He would go to France with a draft for the 19^th Bn. 6/08/16 and would be KIA 29/09/16 at Courcelette, during the Battle of the Somme.

The Chatham Daily Planner,

11 October, 1916 pg.7

Tilbury Soldier Gives His Life.

“Official word was received here this morning that Private Harvey Kimmerly of the 99^th Battalion, was killed in action in France on the 29^th of September.

“Bub” as the young soldier was familiarly known by scores of personal friends in town, was the son of C. M. Kimmerly, Queen Street [Tilbury] and was about 20 years of age. He was an exceedingly bright young man and his letter from England and the front sparked with humour. He was one of the first to join the 99^th in Tilbury and he assisted the officer materially in securing recruits in this town.”

His Mother Mrs. Annie Elizabeth Kimmerly of West Lorne  received the Memorial Cross. The Memorial Plaque was sent to his father.

Burial: Rel. Nag. – FRANCE (SW 1/20,000. M.20 A 0.8 Dated 29/09/16. Regardless of the burial mapping there is no known burial for L/Cpl. Harvey Gordon Kimmerly named in the “Vimy Memorial”.    

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cenotaph	Chatham and Kent County Cenotaph - Chatham
Sources	Chatham Daily Planet (11-10-1929), Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919), Tilbury Story - Community History, I.O.D.E.(P.), TDHS, CDP 11/10/16
Supplemental Information	Father: Charles M. Kimmerly, Tilbury Mother: Mrs. Annie E. Kimmerly Brothers: Percy M. , Howard C. , Charles D.

Height	5'2"
Weight	170 lbs. lbs
Eye Colour	Blue
Age	21 yrs.
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Brown
Race	White
Birthplace	St. Thomas, Ontario
Religion	Prebysterian
Last Place of Employment	Winnipeg, Man.
Marital Status	single
When Enlisted	Jan. 8 1916
Where Enlisted	Tilbury, Ontario

---

Notice something wrong with this record? Or, do you have something to add? Report it using our online form.