Private #802721
19th Battalion, C.E.F.
Henry Fifield was born June 5th, 1880, in London England. When he attested (signed up) he was 36 years old and was married to Margaret Annie Fifield. They had three children: Chester 12, Cyril 2, and Hilda 10 years old. The family lived on English Street in Strathroy. His trade was a wood finisher in a factory. At that time there was a furniture factory, Strathroy Furniture, located on the property on the north west corner across from where Moffatt and Powell’s lumber was located, alongside the train tracks. This was close to his home.
[Editor’s Comment: He was a relatively rare type of enlistee as he had life insurance before he signed up, maybe indicating that he was careful about ensuring for his family’s security when entering into such a risky proposition as war.]
Henry was 5′ 3″, weighed 130 pounds, had a “dark” complexion, had blue eyes, and dark brown hair. He had had 3 vaccinations, the last in 1895. Upon attestation, there is a note that his teeth needed attention, but not sufficient to reject his enlistment. His dental history sheet indicates that he was missing 12 teeth as of February 13, 1919 (upon his discharge in Canada).
Henry attested with the 135th Middlesex Battalion on January 13th, 1916 as a private. He sailed from Halifax, on the S.S. Olympic on August 22, 1916.
[Henry Fifield is in the back row, 4th from the left – shorter with mustache.]
He arrived in England on August 30, 1916. On October 15, 1916, he was transferred to the 134th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, and on May 23, 1917, transferred to the 19th Battalion. On July 6, 1917, he was “Taken on “P.B.” Establishment & Att. 2nd Canadian Infantry Base Depot” in the “field” (France). Over the subsequent months, he appears to have been moved around. [Documents 25 – 30, below, may provide guidance to his whereabouts.]
Henry’s ‘Casualty Form’ [documents 29 & 30 below] indicate on September 20, 1917, that he was “Class “P.B.” No veins & Def. foot” On November 6, 1917, he was reclassed as “a”. On March 25, 1918, he was transferred to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Base Depot. His ‘Medical History Sheet’ notes that he was discharged on December 30, 1918, at the Wiley Station with a “deformity right foot”. The ‘Medical Examination Upon Leaving the Service of Officers and Other Ranks Who Have No Disabilities” record states that Henry had incurred a “Fracture 2nd metatarsal right foot in 1889 prior to entering the service. No aggravation due to service. No disability due to service.” It appears that it was not a medical discharge as he received no disability compensation. On February 13, 1919, he weighed 115 pounds, so he lost 15 pounds during the term of his service. (document 23 below) He returned to Canada on the Aquitania, arriving at Halifax on January 25, 1919. He was granted furlough with an allowance until February 12, 1919.
His ‘Discharge Certificate’, dated February 17th, 1919, indicates he was demobilized after serving in France with the 1st Canadian Infantry Works Battalion. He was discharged at London, Ontario. He was 38 years old when he returned to his family.
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[Photos provided by Henry’s grandson, Linden Jordan]
Private Henry Fifield was awarded the “War Service Badge Class A No. 82131”.
Private Henry Fifield has a C.W.G.C. stone in the Strathroy cemetery. It is located at H.14.13, Section H, 14th row, 13th stone in from the west. Its GPS coordinates are Lat. 42º56’48.23″ N. / Long. -81º38’17.60″ W. [See ‘Cemetery Map’ page on this site.]
A compilation of Henry Fifield’s Military Records
