Private Fred McArthur born 9 August 1892 in Seymour Township, Ontario. Son of Martin and Grace McArthur, of Campbellford, Ontario. A Rancher, standing 5′ 8″ with dark complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair.
Enlistment
Three years previous service with 147th Battalion, Cobourg, Ontario. With the first contingent, Private Fred McArthur 19238 enlisted 22 September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec with 101st Edmonton Fusiliers. Later, his unit sailed 3 October 1914.
12th Reserve Battalion
Organized at East Sandling on 4 January 1917 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bertram O. Hooper. In addition, authorization published in Canadians’ Routine Order 271 of 20 January 1917, and formed by absorbing 12th and 166th Battalions, and absorbed 234th Battalion on 29 April 1917, 176th Battalion on 7 May 1917, 255th Battalion on 9 June 1917, 5th Canadian Reserve Battalion on 15 February 1918 and 124th Battalion on 7 March 1918. Finally, reinforced 3rd, 15th, 20th 75th and 124th Battalions and 1st Labour Battalion, then moved to Witley on 2 March 1918, and disbanded 31 March 1919.
3rd Battalion
Organized in Valcartier Camp 2 September 1914, composed of recruits from Toronto, and Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Rennie. Other Officers Commanding: W.D. Allen DSO (10/11/15), J.B. Rogers DSO, MC (1/10/16). Embarked from Quebec City 25 September 1914 aboard TUNISIAN, and later disembarked in England on 16 October 1914 with a strength of 42 officers, 1123 other ranks. Then, arrived in France 11 February 1915, with the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 12th Canadian Reserve Battalion. Finally, returned to England 23 March 1919, and arrived in Canada 21 April 1919. Furthermore, demobilized 23 April 1919, and perpetuated by The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and by The Toronto Regiment, the latter amalgamated with The Royal Grenadiers in 1936 forming The Royal Regiment of Canada.
France
Private Fred McArthur entered France on 15 February 1915 with the 3rd Battalion. Soon, Fred would participate in a dramatic defensive Canadian victory, not in France, but in Belgium. On the fifth day of action in the Second Battle of Ypres, Private McArthur wounded by shell fire following the second mass gas-attack by the German Army.
Fracture of small bones on inner side of foot by shell explosion, 26 April 1915 near Ypres. Day and a half in Vlamertinghe Hospital, followed by 23 days in Rouen, and a further six days in Base Hospital, Le Havre. Returned to trenches on 23 May 1915, but had pain on exertion.
Later that summer, Fred admitted to No.1 Canadian Field Ambulance, 22 July 1915, Influenza, and finally discharged to duty, 30 July 1915.
Admitted to No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance, 2 October 1915, old fractured ankle. Then, to No.3 Canadian General Hospital, Camiers, 5 October 1915, and to 3 Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, 9 October 1915. Finally, discharged to Shorncliffe, 29 October 1915., and with reserve unit (12th Battalion) at Shorncliffe until return to France.
Private Fred McArthur admitted Shorncliffe Military Hospital, VDG, 5 January 1916. Then, discharged from Barnwell Military Hospital, Cambridge, 10 February 1916.
S.o.S. to C.C.A.C., Shorncliffe, 26 May 1916, and later to 3rd Battalion, 7 August 1916. Finally, taken on strength, 28 August 1916.
Return to France
Private Fred McArthur GSW of left foot and ankle, 9 September 1916. Sent to hospital for admission and X-Ray, 10 September 1916.
Return to England
Private Fred McArthur T.o.S. 12th Reserve Battalion, 22 May 1917, and later S.o.S. to 3rd Battalion, 7 September 1917.
Then, on 27 October 1917, a 17-year-old nurse from Kings Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Bushy Park gave birth to the son of Private Fred McArthur – the child given the middle name of McArthur.
The Battle of Amiens
Private Fred McArthur killed-in-action 8 August 1918. Fred hit in the heart and instantly killed by an enemy rifle bullet.
The battalion war diary records the casualties of the 3rd Battalion buried at 62d.U.13.c.20.70, and later exhumed to Toronto Cemetery, Demuin.
Lieutenant R.H. Sheppard
Then, a letter of condolence from Lieutenant R H Sheppard, 3rd Infantry Battalion, dated six days after McArthur’s death, sent to his father, Martin McArthur, inscribed in pencil.
France, 14 August, 1918. / “Mr. Martin McArthur, Box 526, Campbellford, Ont. / Dear Mr. McArthur, You have doubtless received official word that your son Pte McArthur, 19238, was killed in action on August 8th. I write to extend to you and his family our very deep and heartfelt sympathy in your very great loss. “Mac” as he was lovingly known by us all, was a great favorite with everyone, and has proved himself a brave soldier many, many times. I think the most encouraging words I can say are that he died bravely facing the enemy, and has added his full share of honor and glory to one of Canada’s most glorious days in the field of battle. Yours very sincerely, R H Sheppard Lieut 3rd Bn Can.
Lieutenant R.H. Sheppard
John Alexander McArthur
Fred’s brother, John Alexander McArthur born on 24 August 1883 in Oshawa, Ontario, the son of Martin McArthur and Grace McArthur. A resident of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan when he signed his Particulars of Recruit Drafted Under Military Service Act 1917 Paper as a Private 4090201, with the Saskatchewan Regiment, 1st Depot Battalion, at No.12 Military District, in Regina, Saskatchewan, on 11 November 1917, at the age of 31 (28), naming his next-of-kin as his father, Martin McArthur of Campbellford, Ontario, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was Single and that his trade was that of Real Estate Agent. He later joined the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifle Battalion and went overseas. Finally, for his Great War service, Private John Alexander McArthur awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
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Comments
One response to “Private Fred McArthur in the Great War”
Thank you so much for this wonderful dedication to my great grandfather.