Jay, Frederick William

Captain # ____?___ (The official record documents show no regimental number, which is out of the ordinary. The bac-lac-gc.ca records indicate a reference item number of 486070, which allows access to all the official files shown at the bottom of this page.)

Fred William Jay was born May 14, 1885, in Strathroy. He was a Strathroy merchant, a Baptist, a promoter of athletics, a member of the Board of Trade, a volunteer fireman and involved in fraternal and musical circles. At the time of his enlistment, Fred’s mother was a widow.

Fred had served 1 year with the G.G.B.G. and 9 years with the 26th Regiment M.L.I. before the war. He brought his commission, with the rank of Lieutenant, to the 33rd Overseas Battalion CEF on October 22, 1915, in London, Ontario. Fred Jay, when he enlisted, was 29 years old, 5 feet 5 1/2 inches tall, weighed 142 pounds. His physical development was reported as “Good” and he had been last vaccinated in 1912.

After the 33rd Battalion was redistributed, he served in the 1st Btn. Thus, Fred Jay does not have the usual “Attestation” paperwork but has an “Officers’ Declaration Paper” instead. He was promoted to Captain on November 18, 1915, while still in Canada.

He embarked from Canada on March 17, 1916, arrived in England on March 25, 1916, and was transferred to the 1st Btn. on June 22, 1916. He reported for duty with his unit in France on June 24, 1916, and was killed in action, 17 days later, on July 9, 1916. It is a sad observation that officers were quite often the first men killed as they were the primary targets of enemy forces.

On the 9th of July 1916, he was killed in the trenches at Zillebeke during a heavy bombardment. He rests in Hooge Crater Cemetery near leper (Ypres)in Belgium. A tribute service was held in Strathroy. There is a family commemorative stone in the Strathroy Municipal Cemetery.

Images of the Hooge Crater Cemetery and of the field of battle contemporaneously.

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Fred Jay’s mother, Christina Jay, who was living on Thomas Street in Strathroy, received 13 “Separation Allowance” payments totalling $464 during his absence. These payments were made as his mother was a widow requiring support. She received a “War Gratuity” of $240.00 following his death. A pension had been granted but the account was closed at an unknown date. It is unknown how his widowed mother supported herself after Fred’s death. [Perhaps the family will contact the editor with further information if they choose. (royboysask63@gmail.com).]