Unsung Hero
Captain William Frederick Tucker rose in the ranks from a Private in the 29th (Vancouver) Battalion – Tobin’s Tigers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Shortly after his Military Medal action, William now promoted Company Sergeant Major – Warrant Officer Second Class.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Company moved to billets at Camblain L’Abbe for rest and training on 30 August 1918.
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.
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.
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.
Captain
With the Commanding Officer evacuated sick, Lt Tucker to be Acting Captain, Officer Commanding of No. 2 Company, on 9 June 1918.
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.
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.
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.
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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