Three Wound Stripes
Private Roy Frederick Vandecar(e) 406833, mother Mrs Maud Doyle, 93 Richardson Street (later 15 Walnut Street), Brantford, Ontario. Place of birth: Paris, ON Canada, 11 March 1894. A laborer employed at the Steel Company of Canada.
Enlistment Date: Apr 20 1915, witness Captain Thomas Lewis Blatchford, 77th Regiment, at Hamilton ON Canada. Unit: 36th Overseas Battalion. At this time, Roy stood 5′ 6″ tall, 135 pounds with fresh complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair, scar on the inside of his right wrist.
36th Battalion
Organized in March 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E C Ashton. Mobilized at Hamilton, and later recruited in Hamilton, St Catharines, Brampton, Brantford, Niagara Falls, Dundas, Simcoe and York County.
Embarked from Montreal 19 June 1915 aboard SS CORSICAN, later disembarked England on 29 June 1915, with a strength of 39 officers, 1004 other ranks. 1838 men drafted to other units between September 1915 and June 1916, and later absorbed by the 34th Battalion on 6 July 1916.
Later reorganized as a boys’ battalion with personnel from various units with 905 drafted to other units between July and December 1916. Absorbed part of 114th Battalion on 11 November 1916, 139th Battalion on 6 October 1916, and finally absorbed by 3rd Canadian Reserve Battalion on 4 January 1917.
19th Battalion
Organized in October 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John I. McLaren. Mobilized at Toronto, and later recruited in Toronto, Hamilton, St Catharines, Brantford, and Sault Ste Marie. Embarked from Montreal 13 May 1915 aboard SCANDINAVIAN, later disembarked England on 22 May 1915 with a strength of 41 officers, 1073 other ranks. Arrived in France 14 September 1915 with the 2nd Canadian Division, 4th Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 3rd Canadian Reserve Battalion.
Private Roy Frederick Vandecar admitted to hospital on 27 October 1915 at Shorncliffe with VDG, later discharged on 9 November 1915.
Pte Vandecar transferred to 19th Battalion, CEF on 31 December 1915. Date of service 1 January 1916 with the 19th Battalion, later joining his unit on 12 January 1916.
First Wound Stripe
Private Roy Frederick Vandecar wounded on 10 April 1916, GSW fractured wrist, GSW face superficial, multiple shrapnel wounds, and later admitted to No 13 General Hospital, Boulogne on 18 April 1916.
Private Roy Vandecar later rejoined his unit on 31 May 1916. The next month, Roy admitted to No 2 Divisional Rest Station, 30 June 1916 with Shell Shock.
Private Roy Frederick Vandecar later returned to duty, 2 July 1916.
Pte Vandecar admitted to General Military Hospital, Colchester, 28 July 1916, Hysterical. Admitted to Military Convalescent Hospital, Woodcote, 5 September 1916, Shell Shock, later discharged on 6 October 1916.
Second Wound Stripe
Private Roy Frederick Vandecar admitted to 4th Field Ambulance Depot 8 May 1917 with Shell Shock, and later transferred to No 12 Canadian Field Ambulance. Shortly later, forfeits 10 days pay for making an improper reply to a NCO, 19 May 1917. Left for No. 2 Entrenching Battalion, 17 June 1917, rejoining his unit on 4 July 1917, then attached for duty 4th Field Company, Canadian Engineers, 22 July 1917.
Pte Vandecar admitted 3rd Australian General Hospital, Abbeville, 16 August 1917, shell wound knee, and later transferred to No 22 General Hospital, Camiers, 27 August 1918. Ceases to be attached to 4th Field Company, CE.
Attached to 4th Machine Gun Company, 26 February 1918. Admitted to No 51 General Hospital, Etaples with VDG, 24 April 1918 and later discharged on 28 April 1918.
Private Roy Frederick Vandecar SoS to 2nd Battalion, CMGC on 8 August 1918.
2nd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Organized in France on 21 March 1918 as a result of the reorganization of the 2nd Canadian. Divisional Machine Gun Battalion which was composed of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 14th Canadian. Machine Gun Companies. Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel. J.G. Weir
O/C Lt-Col E W Samson, 2nd in Command Major A Graham. Adjutant Capt C N Douglas (on leave), in addition, Asst Adjt Lt S G Fildes, Sig Officer Lt S E Sacks MC, Medical Officer Capt C G Sutherland, Chaplain Capt W G Clark, Quartermaster Hon Lt E B Underwood MC DCM, Assistant QM Lt A F Williams, Paymaster Lt E A H Martin (attached).
Third Wound Stripe
Private Roy Frederick Vandecar admitted to No 22 General Hospital, Camiers, 27 August 1918 with GSW and contusion of right leg Later transferred to No 6 Convalescent Depot, Etaples, 29 August 1918, then No 12 Convalescent Depot, Aubenque, 1 September 1918 and No 10 Convalescent Depot, Ecault, 9 September 1918. Finally discharged on 14 September 1918.
Demobilization
Private Roy Frederick Vandecar discharged at the Quebec Depot on 16 July 1919. Roy Frederick Vandecar died 23 February 1971, and later buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario.
Pte Roy F. Vandecar (l’ancien combattant de la Grande Guerre et membre pour 50 ans de filiale No. 90 de la Légion Royale Canadienne) est décédé dans sa 77e année à l’Hôpital Général de Brantford le mardi 23 février 1971. Époux bien-aimé de Valérie Kumps du 162, avenue Catharine, cher père de Frederick et Mme Ronald (Martha) Pearce, tous deux de Brantford, ainsi que 7 petits-enfants et 4 arrière-petits-enfants.
Ce post inspiré par Mme Carine Kumps de France, la petite-nièce de Roy Vandecar. Roy était marié avec son arrière grand tante Valérie Kumps.
