Pte. Maxwell Tucker 195766 93rd Bn

 

Pte. Maxwell Tucker

93rd Battalion

Regimental Number 195766

Maxwell Howard Tucker was born on October 8^th, 1894 in Dummer Township, Ontario. He was the son of John Tucker.

Maxwell was living in Warsaw Township and working as a farmer when he enlisted into the 93^rd Peterboro Battalion, on February 18^th 1916.  He was 21 years old, stood 5 feet, five inches tall and weighed 121 pounds.  He was described as having a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.  He was unmarried, Presbyterian, and had no previous military experience. 

Having been found healthy and fit for overseas service, Maxwell joined the 93^rd Battalion training in Peterborough for the next three months while they continued to recruit up to strength.  By the end of May, the battalion moved to the Canadian Forces training camp at Barriefield, Kingston.

Tucker embarked with the 93rd from Halifax on July 15^th 1916 aboard the S.S. Empress of Britain, arriving safely in Liverpool 10 days later.  Upon arriving, the 93^rd was sent to West Sandling Camp, Tucker however spent his first month in British hospitals having contracted measles during the voyage across the Atlantic.    

After sufficiently recovering from measles, Tucker was admitted to the Westcliffe Eye and Ear hospital on August 26^th with ear trouble.  His bout with the measles had aggravated a previous ear problem resulting in a diagnosis of suppurative otitis media, a condition characterized by deafness in both ears.  Testing indicated that Tucker could only hear a voice from a distance of 12 feet out of his right ear and 5 feet from his left.  He was considered unfit for further military service, as it was thought that a return to civil life might slightly improve his condition.

Tucker was discharged after 20 days at Westcliffe on September 13^th and posted to the 39th Reserve battalion at West Sandling Camp.  At this point in time the 39^th was home to a large portion of old comrades of 93^rd Battalion, which had been broken up shortly after arriving in England.   

Tucker remained at West Sandling for less than a month, before he received orders to proceed to Canada on October 6^th 1916.  He boarded the S.S. Mauretania and made his way to the Discharge Supply Depot in Quebec where he was discharged on November 10^th.

Sources

Canada. "Military Service File of Maxwell Howard Tucker." Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa: Record Group 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 9810-26. Item Number 283548.