Pte. Thomas Wilson 1036454 Canadian Forestry Battalion

 

Pte. Thomas H. Wilson
238^th Canadian Forestry Battalion,
Regimental Number 1036454

Thomas Henry Wilson was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland on June 22, 1871, to parents Joseph and Elizabeth Wilson.  He immigrated to Canada in 1882, and first settled in North Monaghan Township.   Thomas married Patience Singleton in 1894 in Hall's Glen, in the northern part of Dummer Township.  The couple lived in North Monaghan where they had two of their five children, Myrtle (1897) and Cecil (1898).  The family later moved to Dummer Township, Patience's home, where Thomas took work as a blacksmith.  It was in Dummer where three more children were born: Ada (1902), Laura (1906) and George (1909).   Thomas and his family later appear in the 1911 census as living in Harvey Township.

Thomas was living in Warsaw when he enlisted with the 238th Canadian Forestry Battalion in Peterborough on July 31st 1916.

At the time he stated that he had 32 year’s experience in blacksmithing, as well as some previous military experience with the 3rd Dragoons militia regiment.  He claimed he was 47 years old, which was at the extreme end of the age considered for overseas service.  He was married and listed his religion as the Church of England.  He stood 5 feet, 10 inches tall and had a dark complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.  After a quick medical inspection he was considered fit for duty.  It is also interesting to note that Thomas's son, Cecil had enlisted only four months prior with the 93rd Battalion, making them one of very few father and sons who served in the First World War at the same time.

Thomas trained for two months in Canada before sailing aboard the S.S. Scandinavian for England on September 11th 1916.  After eleven days at sea, Thomas disembarked at Liverpool, and was soon sent to France to serve as a blacksmith in the Forestry Corps.  He landed in France on the 27th of November.

Pte. Wilson served as a blacksmith for 18 months in France.  During that time his records show that he received a leave of absence of a little over two weeks, from July 21st to August 10th 1917.  It is not clear from his records where he went during this leave. 

He received another 15 day leave on February 14th 1918, this time records show that he traveled to England.  This leave takes place shortly after the death of his wife, Patience, on February 5th back in Canada.  It was during this leave that Wilson was admitted to the hospital suffering from debility.  He would spend the next three months between the hospital and the Forestry Corps Depot in England. 

During his hospital stays it was noted that Thomas's age was such that he could not continue his work in France.  He was characterized as weak, anaemic and as having defective vision.  He was recommended to return to Canada on furlough.

Thomas Wilson sailed to Canada in late May of 1918. He entered Queen's Military Hospital in Kingston on June 18th, 1918 still suffering from the same infirmities as he had in England.  He was discharged nearly two months later on August 7th.  During his discharge hearing Thomas revealed that he was really 60-65 years of age.  The board noted that he looked that age from his appearance.   Notes from the hearing also said Wilson "has been in France two years during which time he had carried on, but all the time he wasn't real fit. He complained of general weakness for the past 8 months. He returned from France Feb 14/18.  Previous to enlistment he states his vision and strength had been failing him."  Thomas was given his permanent discharge from the military and returned to Dummer.

Thomas Wilson died on April 18th, 1944 in Toronto, Canada.  His official death was listed as Cerebral Arteric Sclerosis.  It is also noted on his Circumstance of Casualty form that his death was due to service.   Because his death was officially attributed to his wartime service, his name has been added to the Douro-Dummer cenotaph.  He is buried in St. Mark's Cemetery, in Warsaw, Ontario.

 

Sources

Canada. "Military Service File of Thomas Henry Wilson." Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa: Record Group 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 10477-43. Item Number 318923.