Shot at Dawn
Another American-born victim of Sir Douglas Haig. As with Pvt John William Roberts, little known about why Bombardier Frederick Stanley Arnold deserted after serving more than a year at the front with John McCrae’s unit, the 1st Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery.
Enlistment of Frederick Stanley Arnold
Bombardier Frederick Stanley Arnold 40124 of Cleveland, Ohio, enlisted 22 September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec with the 1st Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. Fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He was a Roman Catholic. Mrs. Cathrine Arnold, mother, of 25786 73rd Street East, Cleveland, Ohio.
Previous service in the 4th US Cavalry, US Navy and US Marine Corps. Medical exam on 19 September 1914 performed by LtCol John McCrae. Fred stood 5′ 6″ tall, 152 pounds, with good physical development.
To England per SS MANITOU, 4 October 1914 with the First Contingent. While in England, Frederick married to Mrs M Arnold of Folkestone.
Shot at Dawn
Arnold’s service file stated he was deceased on 25-7-16. Most of his service record destroyed, only 15 pages remained of a typical 40 page file. Note that all FGCM’s of CEF soldiers Shot at Dawn also destroyed. Presumably, executed at Le Portel, like Pvt John William Roberts on 30-7-16.
When on active service, deserting his majesty’s service, in that he, at Boulogne, on 5 June 1916, absented himself from Marlborough Details Camp, until apprehended by the Intelligency Corps, at Boulogne, on 27 June 1916 in plain clothes. Like Private Roberts, Fred must have been sick and spent time in hospital before being discharged to Base Camp.
Marlborough Details Camp
Situated just north of Boulogne, near the Colonne de la Grande Armée (a monument to Napoleon’s planned invasion of England). The name itself derives from a crossroads historically mapped as “Malborough”.
Tried on 5 July 1916. Executed 25 July 1916. This case, like Roberts, did not come before the Canadian overseas authorities. The 1st Brigade, CFA busy in action at Mt Sorrel during this time, and likely had no involvement in the trial and execution of Bombardier Frederick Stanley Arnold.
Details of Arnold’s disappearance and arrest, much like that of Newfoundlander Private John William Roberts of the 2nd CMR. They may have been arrested together.
Frederick pre-deceased Private John William Roberts by four days. Shot at Dawn, and also buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.
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