Captain William Frederick Tucker MM MC Mentioned in Despatches

Captain William Frederick Tucker in the Great War

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Unsung Hero

Captain William Frederick Tucker rose in the ranks from a Private in the 29th (Vancouver) Battalion – Tobin’s Tigers.

Captain William Frederick Tucker

Tucker earned two medals of gallantry, wounded and remained at duty during the Battle of the Somme, and Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Douglas Haig.

MC, MM, and BWM of Captain William Frederick Tucker MM MC
MC, MM, and BWM of Captain William Frederick Tucker MM MC

Company Sergeant Major Tucker earned his Military Medal on the Somme during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette in 1916 with the 6th Canadian Machine Gun Company. Soon afterward, CSM Tucker Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Douglas Haig.

Captain William Frederick Tucker

Awarded a Commission in January of 1917, Lieutenant Tucker seconded for duty once again with 6th Coy. Awarded the Military Cross for multiple actions on 9 April 1917 at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in Farbus Wood, and ahead of the village of Farbus, beyond the 2nd line objectives the following day on 10 April 1917.

OP-0374 Gun Emplacements, Farbus Wood, Vimy Ridge
Gun Emplacements, Farbus Wood, Vimy Ridge by Mary Riter Hamilton in 1919.

Captain William Frederick Tucker MM MC returned to Vancouver in 1919, but nothing is known of his life following his discharge from His Majesty’s Service.

Bethel, Cornwall

William Frederick Tucker born 6 July 1891 in Bethel a suburb on the east side of St Austell in Cornwall, England. William an Engineer by trade, with previous service in the 104th Fusiliers.

Cornwall’s Great War Memorial
Cornwall’s Great War Memorial. On Friday, June 5, 1925, thousands of Cornwall’s citizens turned out to witness Canada’s Governor General and consort Lord and Lady Byng unveil Cornwall’s Great War Memorial.
Some of the Byng Boys returning from action after defeating the Bavarians at Vimy Ridge. May, 1917
Some of the ‘Byng Boys’ returning from action after defeating the Bavarians at Vimy Ridge.

After inspecting the honour guard, the guests taken by motorcade to inspect the new Montreal Road Courtauld’s plant, while the pipe band and guard marched to the site of the Memorial.

Enlistment of Private W F Tucker

Private William Frederick Tucker 75926 enlisted 9 November 1914 with the 29th Battalion. He stood 5′ 11″ tall, 172 pounds with fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. Commanding Officer Tobin approving on 16 November 1914. Next of kin his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Tucker of Sydney Terrace, Bethel, Cornwall, England.

Playing quoits (29th Canadian Infantry Battalion). July, 1916. MIKAN No. 3396682
Playing quoits (29th Canadian Infantry Battalion). July, 1916. MIKAN No. 3396682

29th (Vancouver) Battalion

29th Vancouver Battalion organized in October 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Seymour Tobin. Also known as “Tobin’s Tigers”.

R.M.S. MISSANABIE at sail circa 1915.
R.M.S. MISSANABIE at sail circa 1915.

Tucker sailed from Montreal per R.M.S. MISSANABIE on 20 May 1915.

Western Front

The 29th Battalion as part of the Second Canadian Division had service on the Western Front before the end of 1915. As a Private with the 29th Battalion, William therefore entitled to wear the 14/15 Star.

  • Private W F Tucker 14/15 Star
  • Reverse of 14/15 Star of Private William Frederick Tucker

Private William Frederick Tucker promoted Corporal on 3 April 1916. It would not be long before William would receive his next promotion.

Corporal W F Tucker promoted Sergeant, 7 May 1916.

The morning paper (29th Canadian Infantry Battalion). July, 1916. MIKAN No. 3396681
The morning paper (29th Canadian Infantry Battalion). July, 1916. MIKAN No. 3396681

Sergeant William Frederick Tucker transferred to the 2nd Canadian Division Machine Gun Company (No 6 Coy) on formation of this unit from 9 December 1916.

No 6 Coy, CMGC

Organized in Belgium in December 1915 as the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade Machine Gun Company. Commanded by Captain T. A. H. Taylor. Composed of machine gun sections of the 6th Brigade’s infantry battalions. In July 1916, No 6 Coy redesignated as 6th Canadian Machine Gun Company.

Private Albert Hyde
Motor Ambulance, 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance. June, 1916. MIKAN No. 3395744

Tucker accidentally injured his left knee while on a course, and admitted to No 5 Canadian Field Ambulance, 4 August 1916. He later returned to his unit on 7 August 1916.

Wounded

During the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, Tucker reported wounded, but remained at duty, 28 September 1916. Sgt Tucker had a minor flesh wound of his neck.

The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, part of the Somme offensive during the Great War.

Military Medal

Sergeant William Frederick Tucker awarded the MM 14 October 1916 per Maj-Gen R E W Turner and Gen Sir Julian Byng, London Gazette No 29854, 9 December 1916.

MIKAN No. 3404870
General Sir Julien Byng talking to General Sir Arthur Currie. February, 1918. MIKAN No.

Shortly after his Military Medal action, William now promoted Company Sergeant Major – Warrant Officer Second Class.

Military Medal of Captain Frederick William Tucker
Military Medal of CSM William Frederick Tucker

Mentioned in Despatches

Company Sergeant Major Tucker Mentioned in Despatches of 13 November 1916 by Sir Douglas Haig, for gallant service and devotion to duty in the field (London Gazette No 29890, 2 January 1917).

Lieutenant

Sgt Tucker granted a Commission, In the Field, 29 December 1916, and posted to the 29th Battalion.

A wiring party at work at night in front of a support line. Note Very Lights in distance. Cambrai, 12 January 1917.
A wiring party at work at night in front of a support line. Note Very Lights in distance. Cambrai, 12 January 1917.

Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker MM returned from leave on 19 January 1917 at Dieval.

Battle of Vimy Ridge

Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker MM with two guns entered Farbus Wood shortly after 8:30 am, 9 April 1917. Tucker’s team immediately dug in and got into action firing heavily upon enemies artillery with good results. Two guns placed in unfinished German trench ahead of the 2nd Line Objective.

MIKAN No. 3521866
The ruined village of Farbus captured by Canadians,, April 1917. MIKAN No. 3521866

Operations in front of Farbus to protect the flank of the 27th Battalion at Station Wood during 10 April 1917. Lts Waddington, Tucker, and Hardiman rendered exceptionally good services throughout the whole of operations as did Sgts McGirr and Eustache, L/Cpls Olmstead, and Rust, Privates Woodean, Climie and Halstead.

Canadian machine gunners dug in shell holes in Vimy advance. MIKAN No. 3521872
Canadian machine gunners dug in shell holes in Vimy advance. MIKAN No. 3521872

On 8 May 1917, Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker MM takes up position in front of the Farbus-Vimy railway embankment. Five men casualties from a gas shell. Tuckers team relieved by No 5 Coy on the night on 10th May.

Fosse No 11

On 2 August 1917, Nos 1 and 2 sections under Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker moved into J Battery Barrage Gun Positions near Fosse No 11, Maroc. Over 8,000 rounds fired upon Lens the next day, followed by barrages of 9,000 and 14,000 rounds on August 5th.

MIKAN No. 3329244
Canadians running to a Y.M.C.A. Hut, Angres. Fosse No 6 in background. MIKAN No. 3329244

Sains-en-Gohelle

On 14 August 1917, Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker MM the Battery Commander at J Battery Position. On 17 August 1917, over 92,000 rounds fired on selected targets. Finally, on the 20th, over 100,000 rounds fired on the enemy’s rear lines and dumps.

A column of Spahis on the Bethune road at Sains-en-Gohelle, 30 September 1915.
A column of Spahis on the Bethune road at Sains-en-Gohelle, 30 September 1915.

The Company moved to billets at Camblain L’Abbe for rest and training on 30 August 1918.

Canadian R.C. Chaplains with BishopMichael Francis Fallon at Camblain L'Abbe, 23 May 1918. MIKAN No. 3383962
Canadian R.C. Chaplains with Bishop Michael Francis Fallon at Camblain L’Abbe, 23 May 1918. MIKAN No. 3383962

In September 1917, the 4th, 5th, 6th and 14th Canadian Machine Gun Companies detached from their respective infantry brigades and formed the 4th, 5th, 6th and 14th Companies of the 2nd Canadian Divisional Machine Gun Battalion.

Military Cross

On 25 September 1917, news received Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker MM awarded the Military Cross, London Gazette No 30340. On 29 September 1917, Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker MM MC proceeds to Camiers on an M G Course, later returning to his unit on 29 October 1917.

Capt. Muirling, M.C. Canadian Motor Machine Gun BrigadeThis officer is likely Capt. Harry F. Meurling, M.C., who commanded the Yukon Motor Machine Gun Battery, First Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade, at this time. He is wearing the Military Cross service ribbon.
Capt. Muirling, M.C. Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade. This officer likely Capt. Harry F. Meurling, M.C., who commanded the Yukon Motor Machine Gun Battery, First Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade, at this time. He is wearing the Military Cross service ribbon.
Military Cross of Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker
Military Cross of Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker MM

Leave

Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker MM MC proceeded to England for 14 days leave on 14 January 1918. Likely during this leave Tucker received his Military Cross at Buckingham Palace.

Bombing school demonstration - smoke attack, 22 June 1916. MIKAN No. 3404479
Bombing school demonstration – smoke attack, 22 June 1916. MIKAN No. 3404479

On 2 March 1918, Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker MM MC proceeded on Course Corps Gas School. Tucker accidentally injures his knee during the course on 9 March 1918, No 1 CCS, displacement cartilage left knee (accidental), later discharged to duty 31 March.

2nd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps

With the reorganization of the machine gun companies to battalions in March of 1918, Lieutenant William Frederick Tucker MM MC transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps on 12 April 1918.

Canadian armoured motor car carrying machine guns. April, 1918.This shows armoured autocar no. 5792 of the Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade, in front of a row of similar autocars. It is armed with two Vickers machine guns and is painted with the 3 "C" mark of the Canadian Corps.
Canadian armoured motor car carrying machine guns. April, 1918.This shows armoured autocar no. 5792 of the Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade, in front of a row of similar autocars. It is armed with two Vickers machine guns and is painted with the 3 “C” mark of the Canadian Corps.

Captain

With the Commanding Officer evacuated sick, Lt Tucker to be Acting Captain, Officer Commanding of No. 2 Company, on 9 June 1918.

Captain William Frederick Tucker

On 19 September 1918, Captain Milligan assumed command of No 2 Company.

Leave

Captain William Frederick Tucker MM MC granted 14 days leave on 13 September 1918, and resumed command of No 2 Company upon return, 30 September 1918.

The Autumn Rains, Dannes-Camieks, 1915 As cameras were forbidden at Dannes-Camiers, this photograph and the next were taken with an old biscuit box and a
The Autumn Rains, Dannes-Camiers, 1915. As cameras were forbidden at Dannes-Camiers, this photograph taken with an old biscuit box.

Sick

No 20 General Hospital, Camiers, 8 October 1918, PUO slight, Captain Ramsay assuming command of No 2 Company in Tucker’s absence. Captain William Frederick Tucker MM MC evacuated to England, 16 October 1918. Polyp removed from left nostril, 31 October 1918.

Operation

Operated upon for a deviated septum (aggravated by service) on 4 December 1918. To Convalescence, Matlock Bath, 8 January 1919.

Original wartime caption: An operation in progress in the basement. Patient being anaesthetized. © IWM H 10724 No 14 British General Hospital for Officers
Original wartime caption: An operation in progress in the basement. Patient being anaesthetized. © IWM H 10724 No 14 British General Hospital for Officers

The day after the operation, Tucker relinquishes rank of Captain, GHQ, 1 November 1918. Six weeks later the nose had healed. However, another operation recommended, but not for a few months.

Influenza

Lt W F Tucker MM MC admitted to hospital again with Influenza at Matlock Bath on 11 January 1919, and later discharged 16 January 1919.

Return to Canada

Lt William Frederick Tucker MM MC posted to the CMGC Pool on 19 March 1919, and later sailed for Canada per SS CARONIA on 29 March 1919.

Tucker admitted to Shaughnessy Military Hospital, nasal polypi on 14 April 1919. Transferred to Vancouver General Hospital on 4 May 1919, operated upon the next day, and finally discharged on 27 May 1919.

Captain William Frederick Tucker MM MC

Lt William Frederick Tucker MM MC SoS from the CEF on 14 June 1919 in Vancouver, B.C. Last known residence, Hastings Street, Vancouver. Nothing known of this Unsung Hero’s life following his discharge from His Majesty’s Service.

Appreciation

CEFRG wishes to thank Mr Jim Turner, friend of Captain Tucker’s nephew in Bethel, for additional photos, information and assistance in Remembering another Unsung Hero of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

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