MILITARY HISTORY
Private Frank Bolton 1063070 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)
On December 23, 1916 Frank Bolton completed the Attestation Paper for enlistment in the Canadian Army, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) Overseas in Peterborough, Ontario. He was 19 years, 3 months old when, as a single man, he was enlisted for the duration of the War. Frank was born in Burleigh Township, Ontario and gave his birth-date as March 11, 1897. His File indicated he did not belong to an Active Militia; lived at RR 10, Peterborough and that he had never served in any Active Militia or Military Force. There is nothing on his File to indicate where he was educated or to what level. Frank gave his Trade or Calling as a Farmer. He signed the Attestation Paper on December 23, 1916. He was 5′ 10½” tall, 38″ chest (expanded); his weight is not listed. He had a dark complexion with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Frank’s Medical was done in Peterborough; his Medical Records indicate that he had scars on the outside of his right leg and was deemed fit for Overseas duty with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). Frank’s next-of-kin was listed as his father, William Edward Bolton living in Burleigh Falls, Ontario. Frank Bolton was taken on as a Private (Pte) with the 247th (Victoria & Haliburton) Battalion (Bn), based in Peterborough, Ontario, on December 23, 1916 and was assigned Regimental Number 1063070.
Pte Bolton’s Military Records are very scanty with only a few details on movements and little on any other activities. Although not stated he would have been on training in the Peterborough area in preparation to be sent Overseas. In April 1917 Pte Bolton would have been transported, most likely by Rail Service to the Halifax, Nova Scotia area to prepare for embarkation. April 13, 1917 Pte Bolton completed a Form Of Will in which he bequeathed all of his estate to his father, William Edward Bolton. On May 1, 1917 Pte Bolton made a pay assignment of $15.00 monthly to his father.
May 3, 1917 Pte Bolton embarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the RMS Metagama bound for England; May 14, 1917 Pte Bolton disembarked at Liverpool, England and was transferred from the 247th Bn to the 235th Bn (based at Bowmanville, Ontario). Then on May 14, 1917 Pte Bolton and the 235th Bn were absorbed into the 3rd Canadian Reserve Bn which was based West Sandling, England. May 17, 1917 he was taken-on-strength to the 3rd Canadian Reserve Bn at West Sandling, England. On June 19, 1917 Pte Bolton was struck-off-strength from the 3rd Canadian Reserve Bn and taken-on-strength on transfer to the 208th (Canadian Irish) Bn at Witley, England.
January 1, 1918 Pte Bolton was struck-off-strength from the 208th Bn and taken-on-strength with the 2nd Reserve Bn at Witley, England. January 11, 1918 Pte Bolton was struck-off-strength from the 2nd Reserve Bn at Witley, England and taken-on-strength with the 208th Bn at West Sandling. February 15, 1918 he was struck-off-strength from the 2nd Reserve Bn and taken-on-strength with the 8th Reserve Bn at East Sandling. February 16, 1918 Pte Bolton was struck-off-strength from the 8th Reserve Bn and taken-on-strength with the 116th Bn at East Sandling.
February 16, 1918 Pte Bolton arrived at the Canadian Base Depot (CBD) in France. February 19, 1918 he was transferred from the CBD and arrived at the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp (CCRC) Bn; a centre in France where troops were held before being sent to reinforce existing units. On February 23 Pte Bolton was struck-off-strength from the CCRC Bn and taken-on-strength at the 116th Bn in the Field. On October 1, 1918 Pte Bolton was killed in action in France. October 17, 1918 William Edward Bolton was notified that his son was killed in action.
Due to the lack of detail surrounding Pte Bolton’s demise research located a copy of the 116th Bn War Diary for his engagement with this Unit. According to the War Diary entries Pte Bolton most likely died on September 29, 1918 (but was listed as missing initially) at St. Olle when “A” and “B” Companies were practically wiped out; 260 Soldiers were killed or wounded that day. Although it is not known which Company Pte Bolton was a member of the odds are that he was with “A” or “B” Company. [Diary extracts following]
Pte Bolton served with the Canadian Army Expeditionary Force a total of 1 year, 11 months and 9 days: 4 months and 12 days in Canada; 11 months and 9 days in the UK; 7 months and 6 days in France and 11 days travel time.
There is no reference, in Private Frank Bolton’s Military File indicating what Military Medals he was awarded but based on his Military Service he should have received:
British War Medal 1914 – 1920; and
Victory Medal.
He also qualified for War Service Badge CEF Class “A”.
Private Frank Bolton’s Medal, Decorations, Plaque and Scroll would have been sent to his father: William E. Bolton, Esq.; Burleigh Falls, Ontario. It is noted that the above items were dispatched March 29, 1923.
War Diary extracts from September 29, 1918 to October 3, 1918
September 1918
29th. Weather fine. In accordance with Brigade operations order, the Battalion moved up, following closely behind the 7th Brigade, through Bourlon and assembled in the Railway Embankment in F.2.1 at 6:30 p.m. Orders were received that the 58th Battalion would attack the Marcoing Line in front of St. Olle, and that the 116th Battalion passing through would attack and capture St. Ollo. Zero hour 7:00 p.m. At Zero hour the
Battalion moved off from the railway embankment and made their way over in artillery formation to F.11.a. The 58th Battalion was found to be established in the Marcoing Line. And we moved through them “A”, “B”, “C” Companies making up positioning the sunken road running through F.5.d. and F.11.b. “D” Company took up their positions in F.12.a. and A.7.b. Sending patrols from here to go in touch with the enemy. The village seemed to be very strongly held by machine guns. No reconnaissance of ground having
been made, we decided that our attack on the village would be delayed while the following morning. Weather fine. Zero hour 6:00 a.m. “B” and “A” Companies attacked and were caught under heavy Machine gun fire, coming from the enemy trenches in front of St. Olle and Petit Fontain. These two Companies were practically wiped out. News to this effect being brought by Lieut. Smith to Battalion H.Q. Established at F.11.b.90.90. Artillery fire was then brought to bear on these positions, and superiority of fire gained by our Lewis Guns situated along the road at F.11.b. As soon as this was accomplished, two Platoons of “C” and “D” Companies were dispatched to make a flanking movement to the northwest of the village, the remainder of “C” Company being sent over to help out the 58th Battalion who were having heavy fighting in the Marcoing Line near its junction with the Bapaune-Guibrai Road. Lieut. Bonner, who was in charge of the flanking operations northwest of St. Olle, succeeded in entering the trench, and by great leadership, overcame all resistance, capturing the entire system. About 100 prisoners and 15 machine guns were captured. The rest of the day was spent in organizing our new positions. “D” Company holding posts around Petit Fontain, two Platoons of “C” Company in St. Olle, Two Platoons of “C” Company on the right of the 58th, and the remnants of “B” and “A” Companies back at headquarters. Our casualties for the day were about 260 killed and wounded. Capt. Preston was taken prisoner, Capt. Williams, Lieut. Robson and Lieut. Brandon, wounded. Lieut. Norton killed, and Lieut. Palmer, missing, believed prisoner. Sill holding positions in and about St. Olle.
October 1918
1st. In the Line: The attacking returned in the morning. During the night, the Battalion was relieved in the Front-Line by the 24th Battalion, 2nd Canadian Division moving back to sunken road.
2nd. During the day the Battalion moved back in small practice on sunken road in M.10.b.
3rd. F.10.b. The day was spent in resting up. Most of the rear did details with the exception of the Transport and personnel joined the Battalion. It was impossible to bring the transport forward as the grounds was under direct observation from two towers in Cambrai and any lorries or horse transport moving on the raid were promptly shelled.
An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s by Barbara Ameil, September 1996:
The Military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable.
PERSONAL HISTORY
FRANK BOLTON
Frank Bolton was born in Burleigh Township, west half of Lot 9, Concession 1, on March 11, 1897, the son of William Edward Bolton and Susan Stone; William was a farmer in Burleigh Township. Frank attended the South Burleigh Lower School (Bolton School) built in 1895; near Big Cedar Lake Rd. Frank worked on the family farm until he went to the USA with his brother William Edward “Ned”.
Note: William Edward always insisted that the family surname was spelled “Boulton” as it was in early census records. This might be why, although Frank’s family name on his Military documents is spelled “Bolton”; his headstone his has the spelling of “Boulton”.
In 1914 Frank and his brother William Edward ” Ned” Bolton Jr. moved to North Dakota (N.D.), U.S.A. Frank’s cousin, Marion Crowe has a receipt for Life Insurance that Frank took out on February 13, 1915; his address was Westhope N.D. They work as loggers in Minnesota during the winter and in the wheat fields during the summer in North Dakota. Frank came home to Canada and joined the Canadian Army in December, 1916.
On October 1, 1918 Pte Bolton was killed in action in France; he is remembered with honour in the Mill Switch British Cemetery, north France.
Copy
Night Letter
Great Northwestern Telegraph Company (GNWT Co) of Canada
941 aw
Lakefield O Oct 18 – 1918 JC No 8
Ottawa Ont via Lakefield
______________________________________________________
Wm Edward Bolton
Burleigh Falls Ont
17342 Deeply regret inform you
1063070 Pte Frank Bolton officially
Reported killed in action October 14th
Director of Records
HOW PTE. BOLTON
MET HIS DEATH
————
KILLED BY SHELL IN CANADIAN
ADVANCE ON CAMBRIA
————
Pte Bolton who was killed in action October 1, 1918, was the son of
Mr. Wm. E. Bolton, Burleigh Falls he enlisted in the 247th Bn,
Peterborough Dec. 23, 1916. The following letter was received by his only sister,
Mrs. W. J. Tedford; Douro:
France, Oct. 11, 1918.
Dear friend: — It is my unfortunate task to write and inform you of Frank’s death on
October 1.
It was in the midst of our big advance on Cambrai. A high velocity shell landed near the gun sec¬tion he was in and shrapnel killed him instantly.
We all miss a noble comrade and I know his father and sister will miss a devoted son and brother.
I cannot help saying that he and I were the closest of chums since a year go last July when we met in England. It seems hard that the best should fall, but God’s will be done.
Your box sent to him was received by his section and divided among his comrades and I write you today to acknowledge it.
Poor Frank was more than a pal to me. I certainly share your sorrow in his tragic death.
I will close, thanking you for the box. Yours sincerely.
R. J. FULLERTON.
Mr. Bolton’s oldest son also serves in the American Army.
————————————————————–
Copy
MILITIA AND DFENCE
Ottawa, February 13th 1919
CERTIFICATE OF DEATH
It is hereby certified that according to information communicated to this
Department by officials overseas, No 1063070 Private Frank Bolton, of the 116th
Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force was killed in action on the 1st
Day of October, 1918.
“G. H. Brown”
for Director of Records
for A/Adjutant-General
Militia Headquarters
MG
Mr. Bolton’s oldest son also serves in the American Army.
————————————————————–
Copy
MILITIA AND DFENCE
Ottawa, February 13th 1919
CERTIFICATE OF DEATH
It is hereby certified that according to information communicated to this
Department by officials overseas, No 1063070 Private Frank Bolton, of the 116th
Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force was killed in action on the 1st
Day of October, 1918.
“G. H. Brown”
for Director of Records
for A/Adjutant-General
Militia Headquarters
MG
THE FRANK BOLTON FAMILY OF LAKEFIELD
Frank Bolton’s paternal grandparents are Thomas Bolton and Matilda S. Staples – farmers in Burleigh Township. His maternal grandparents were John “Jack” R. Stone and Matilda Mathews farmers in Burleigh Township.
Frank Bolton’s parents were William Edward, born in April 1866 and Susan Boulton, born in July 1870. They married in the St. John’s Anglican Church in Lakefield on September 4, 1889. They had a family of five children: Edith Evelyn, born June 25, 1890 – died June 24, 1970 (She was married to Will Tedford); Naomi “Namie” Josephine, born August 11, 1891 – died February 2, 1910; Mamie Evelyn; William Edward “Ned”, born June 3, 1885 – died December 10, 1967 (Was married to May Wooden) and Frank Bolton. Susan passed away on February 21, 1899 at the age of 28 years and is buried in the Hillside Cemetery in Lakefield.
Eva Bolton, William’s sister, lived with the family for several years after Susan died to look after the children. (She married Archie Tedford.)
Later on July 3, 1916, William Edward Boulton married Catherine Bates (nee Hetherington) in Lakefield. William Edward and Catherine used “Boulton” on their headstone.
Catherine passed away in 1939 and William Edward Boulton died on March 24, 1943; both are buried in Hillside Cemetery in Lakefield.
Ned joined the U.S. Forces. (Marion has a U.S.A. Treasury Department Bureau of War Risk Insurance receipt for him dated May 28 1918. William Edward “Ned” Boulton Jr. remained in the U.S. after the War and was elected to The Idaho State Senate in 1949.
Frank’s nephew, William Edward Bolton (third) from Albany, Oregon provided input to this document.