Pte. 880811. Born in Harwich Twsp., 18/04/1895 RG150, Accession 1992-93/166. Box 7703-36, Item: 563055, PDF:- B7703-SO36. At Thamesville, at R.R.No. 4 Born at Thamesville. N of K: Charles Pelkey of Thamesville, ON. (uncle) Farmer. (Single) Vaccinated. The son of Alfred and Margaret Pelkey.  Nephew of Charles Pelkey of R.R.# 6, Thamesville, ON, Harwich Twsp. Brother of Mrs. Cyril Goodreau. A single farmer living at his father’s farm. No previous military training.  Attestation: 13/06/16 at London, ON. 26/06/16.

Apparent Age: 21 yrs. 2 mths., Height: 5’ 5”, Girth: 35” ‘Fit”; Earl had a tattoo of a Woman on his left forearm.   Attestation: 13/06/16 to the 186^th Bn. at Chatham, ON.   Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Blue/Grey, Hair: Brown, Weight: 150#.

Born in Harwich Twsp., 1/05/1895 the son of Charles Pelkey of R.R.# 6, Thamesville, ON. Brother of Mrs. Cyril Goodreau. A single farmer living at his fathers farm. Charles enlisted in Chatham, ON. in 1916 with the 186^th Bn.

Earl contracted Tonsillitis 19/12/16 – 28/12/16.   26/06/16 to Nov (3 days CB) 13/11/16 – Dec. to Feb. 6/02/17- 3 days in March 15/02/17. April 7/16 O/S. Sailed from Halifax aboard the S.S. Lapland 25/03/17.

Debarked in England at Liverpool 7/04/17 – Transferred to the 4^th Can. Res. Batt. Proceeded O/S to the 18^th Bn. is S. O. S 

Began Basic training 30 June, 1916. Departed from Halifax, NS. aboard the S. S. Lapland 28/03/17. Transfer to the 18^th o/s Batt. Date of Service in France – 27/08/17.   It would haunt him 2/01/18: No. 12 Cdn Fld. 3 Cdn. Gen. – Boulange. 7/01/18 . 19/01/18 Mil. – Boscombe Hants I.C.F. – Mil. with Trench Foot 19/01/18 to 26/04/18 – Cured – 2/06/18 “ Ceased to be attached to 2^nd. C.C.D on return” 13/09/18 t0 8^th Bn. 25/06/18 to 4^th Res.   22/01/18 was given Foot Therapy – 3 times a week.  He was admitted to Base Hospital February 13th, 1918, suffering from trench feet, and convalesced at Woodcote Pk: – Epsom 12/02/18 for Trench feet 26/04/18 on Discharge – 18^th Bn. Can. Theatre – In FRANCE. 

27/08/17 he was sent to a Convalescent Hospital. His service to then was 2 years in Canada and five months in the Field. He was still suffering pains in his Right Leg after walking. His general condition was reported Good 24/04/18. He was sent for additional electrical stimulation therapy three treatments per week 22/01/19 to 24/05/19 when he was TOS.   He was fit for Discharge being out of service after four months. He was given “Light Duty”.

After contracting trench foot he was invalided to Bascombe Hospital in England for treatment then to Woodcote Pake, Epsom to convalesce. Earl complained of Bairs in his Right Leg after walking 22/04/18. Fit D.1. Epitone Hospital was for treatment – Mil. Couol – Epsam 12/02/18. Discharge: Served in England and France. Demob. 14/09/18 Arv. From 4^th Cdn. TOS 18^TH BN. Cdn. 12/10/18 Joined 18^th Can. – In the Field 

One of the persistent problems of WWI WAS “Trench Foot”. A debilitating problem. Earl contracted Trench Foot;- beginning with No. 12 Cdn. Fid. Ambulance 2/01/18. Then to No.3 Gen. Hospital – Boulogne 7/01/18, 1CT feet, 19/01/18 Military Hos. Boscombe, Hants, England. CAFF Alexandra – Gosham.  12/02/18  to Military Conval. Wdcte – Park Epsom . Discharged 26/04/1918 

4 Apr. 1919 – Proceeded to England – Boarded the The S. S. Cafonia sailing from Liverpool 14/05/19.  

Demobilization – 24/05/19 at London, N. of R. R. # 6 – Thamesville. Trench Foot – Right leg – Light duty 19/02/18 Con. Hospital – Woodcote Park , London.  

His Discharge Certificate 880811 served in Canada, England and France with the 18^th Batt. now age 24 years. He was now Tattooed with a woman on his left forearm. His Discharge was dated 24/05/1919 at No. 1 Dist. Depot.

Earl was on his way home proceeding to Canada 4/04/1919 sailed from Liverpool 14/05/19. He proceed to Discharge 24/05/1919 and Demobilization 

For most men, one war was more than enough.

But not for Earl Pelky. Married to Elizabeth Mary (nee Burness), father of Ronald Earl.   He would serve in the RCAF in WWII. As R/85146, at the age of 50 years. He was serving at No.3 Repair Depot.

It was well Earl was stationed in Vancouver BC. He is buried at Mountain View, Cemetery – Block 3, Plot 17, Lot :14. A full military funeral and parade to the Cemetery honored his service in two Great Wars. 

See WWII particulars in WWII listing under Charles Earl Pelkey R85146 RCAF. 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

CPD (25-05-1919), Chatham Daily Planet (31-05-1919), IODE(P)

Height	553"
Weight	150 lbs. lbs
Eye Colour	Blue/Grey
Age	21 yrs. 2 mths.
Complexion	Dark
Hair	Brown
Race	White
Birthplace	Harwich Township
Religion	Protestant
Last Place of Employment	Father's Farm
Average Earnings	$ 2.00 per day
Marital Status	Single
When Enlisted	1916
Where Enlisted	Chatham, Ontario
Next of Kin	Charles Pelkey, Uncle of Thamesville, Harwich Twsp.

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