MILITARY HISTORY
Sergeant Frederick Samuel Balsdon – 59035 – ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)
On January 5, 1915 Frederick Samuel Balsdon completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Army, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) at Kingston, Ontario. He was 21 years, 8 months old when, as a single man, he enlisted for the duration of the War. Frederick Samuel was born in Lakefield, Ontario, and gave his birth-date as April 25, 1893. On his Attestation Paper, he indicated that he was the 46th Regiment, Canadian Militia, Port Hope for two weeks. There is nothing on his File to indicate where he was educated or to what level. As far as employment is concerned, he lists a Labourer. Frederick Samuel was 5′ 6¼” tall, 36″ chest (expanded); his weight was 134 pounds. He had a fair complexion, with blue eyes and dark hair. Frederick Samuel’s Medical Examination was completed in Kingston. He was deemed fit for Overseas duty with the Canadian Army, CEF. His next-of-kin was listed as his mother, Mrs. Mary Balsdon, of Lakefield. Frederick Samuel Balsdon signed the Oath and Certificate of Attestation January 5, 1915, in Kingston. The Certificate of Magistrate was signed by the Justice on January 5, 1915. Frederick Samuel Balsdon was taken-on-strength, as a Private (Pte), with the 21st Overseas Battalion (Bn), in Kingston; was assigned to “A” Company and later was assigned to the Machine Gun Section. He was assigned Regimental Number 59035.
Pte Balsdon’s Military Records do not have any documentation that covers the period of time from January 5, 1915 to May 1, 1915; an 8 months period. This 8 month gap in data would have been used to do his Basic and Advanced Training in the Kingston area throughout the Winter. The main goal was to form the men into Units and ship them off to England as quickly as possible where their training would be completed. May 1, 1915 Pte Balsdon made a Pay Assignment of $10.00 monthly to Mrs. James Mahood (sister), Lakefield, Ontario. On May 6, 1915 Pte Balsdon embarked from Montréal, Québec aboard the RMS Metagama for England. He disembarked at Devonport, England on May 15, 1915 and the 21st Bn (Overseas) proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent. The following 4½ months have no documentation, Pte Balsdon was undoubtedly performing assigned duties and more training in England.
September 14, 1915 Pte Balsdon embarked England for France aboard the SS St. Seiriol at Folkestone, England. September 15, 1915 he disembarked in Boulogne, France and the 21st Bn proceeded to St. Omer. On September 22, 1915, at the Front, Pte Balsdon was sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment #2 for stating a falsehood. In Field Punishment Number #2; the prisoner was placed in fetters and handcuffs but was not attached to a fixed object and was still able to march with his Unit. This was a relatively tolerable punishment. In this form of Field Punishment, the soldier was also subjected to hard labour and loss of pay.
January 17, 1916 Pte Balsdon was wounded in the chest overnight January 17/18, 1916 near Kemmel, Belgium, he received First Aid from the Battalion’s Medical Officer. January 18, 2016 Pte Balsdon was admitted to the No 5 Canadian Field Ambulance (CFA) and transferred the same day to the No 2 Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) in Bailleul, France for treatment. January 19, 1916 he was transferred by the No 5 Ambulance Train (AT) and admitted to the No 1 Canadian General Hospital (CGH) in Étaples, France. October 31, 1916 Pte Balsdon discharged from the Hospital with no disability and proceeded on the Lewis Gun Course at Le Touquet near Étaples. November 20, 1916 Pte Balsdon is attached to the Lewis Gun School as an Instructor. January 24, 1917 Pte Balsdon rejoined the 21st Bn in billets in Bully Grenay from the Lewis Gun School. January 25, 1917 he was granted 10 days Leave of Absence.
February 9, 1917 Pte Balsdon rejoined the 21st Bn from his Leave of Absence. February 14, 1916 he was transferred to the No 6 Convalescent Depot at Étaples, France to continue his recovery. February 23, 1917 he returns to the Lewis Gun School as a Lewis Gun Instructor. March 1, 1916 Pte Balsdon was admitted to the No 3 General Base Depot Hospital and assigned to light duties in the Field. April 18, 1916 he was discharged and proceeded to join the 21st Bn; Pte Balsdon rejoined his Unit on in the Front-Lines near Voormezeele April 20, 1916. November 13, 1917 Pte Balsdon is attached to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp (CCRC) for employment in Calonne Ricouart in the Field with the 2nd Divisional (Div) Wing.
January 11, 1918 Pte Balsdon is taken-on-strength with the CCRC, 2nd Div Wing. February 11, 1918 he was granted 14 days Leave. February 20, 1918 Pte Balsdon is attached to the 2nd Div Wing, CCRC for Duty in the Field. February 22, 1918 Pte Balsdon is struck-off-strength from the 21st Bn on transfer to the CCRC. February 23, 1918 Pte Balsdon is taken-on-strength with the CCRC from the 21st Bn and appointed to the Rank of Acting Sergeant (A/Sgt) with pay. February 26, 1918 he rejoined the CCRC from Leave. On March 9, 1918, in the Field, Pte Balsdon is granted permission to marry. July 5, 1918 Sgt Balsdon was admitted to the No 6 CFA diagnosed with an Inter Connective Tissue (ICT) infection in his face. July 12, 1918 he was transferred to the No 4 CFA and admitted to Hospital. July 17, 1918 Sgt Balsdon was discharged from the Hospital to duty, fully recovered, with the CCRC.
January 12, 1919 Sgt Balsdon is granted 14 days Leave to the United Kingdom (UK). February 27, 1919 he proceeded to England and was taken-on-strength to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot (EORD) at Seaford pending return to Canada. March 8, 1919 Sgt Balsdon is taken-on-strength from the EORD to the 6th Reserve Battalion (Res Bn) at Seaford. April 1, 1919 he is On-Command to the Canadian Discharge Depot (CDD) in Buxton, England pending return to Canada. On May 13, 1919 Sgt Balsdon embarked the SS Minnedosa in Liverpool; he disembarked in Montréal, Québec on May 20, 1919.
Sergeant Frederick Samuel Balsdon was discharged from the Canadian Army (Active) Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in Montréal on May 22, 1919.
Sergeant Frederick Samuel Balsdon served with the Canadian Army a total of 4 years, 4 months, and 17 days: 4 months and 3 days in Canada, 6 months, 28 days in the UK, 3 years and 5 months in France/Belgium and 19 days travel time.
Based on his Military Service Sergeant Frederick Samuel Balsdon was awarded the:
1914 – 15 Star
British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He would have also received the CEF Class “A” War Service Badge.
Sergeant Frederick Samuel Balsdon’s medals were sent to him at Lakefield, Ontario.
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”.
Note
There are many large gaps in the documentation of this Veteran’s Service. Attempts to access the 54th Bn War Diaries were not successful. Thankfully the 21st Battalion CEF project had done Sergeant Frederick Samuel Balsdon’s History. Courtesy of the http://21stbattalion.ca their data provided data not available in our File.
PERSONAL HISTORY
FREDERICK SAMUEL BALSDON
Frederick Samuel Balsdon was born in Lakefield, Ontario on April 25, 1893, the illegitimate son of his oldest sister Nellie Balsdon but was raised as the youngest child of John Cross Balsdon and Mary Susannah Down and referred to Nellie as his sister. Frederick received his education in the Lakefield public schools and then went to work. In January 1915, Frederick went to Kingston and enlisted to serve his King and Country. May 15, 1915 he was headed for England and March 8, 1918 he was granted permission to get married. May 22, 1919 he was discharged from the CEF in Montreal with proposed residence on discharge in Lakefield; however this was later changed to 433 Plymouth Avenue, Buffalo, New York, USA.
In July & August of 1919 he and his wife Edith made trips to Buffalo, NY to visit his sister Mrs. Nellie Freeborough with the hopes of immigrating to the USA. In 1920 Fred and Edith immigrated to the U.S.A. and made their home in Buffalo and Fred worked as a motor mechanic. Edith and Fred had two children James F. born in 1922 and Gilbert E. born in 1927. According to the 1930 U.S. Census Fred & Edith and the boys were still living in Buffalo and Fred was a miller working at a mill. Fred & Edith regularly attended the Veterans Reunions in Cornwall.
In July 1936 they went to Montréal, Québec and along with a large contingent of the 21st Battalion Veterans boarded the SS Montcalm and sailed to France for the unveiling of the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Edith died in Buffalo, NY on May 6, 1957 and Fred passed away 16 days later on May 22, 1957; both are buried in White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery, Amherst, Erie, NY, USA.
Frederick Samuel Balsdon was a member of the Lakefield Methodist Church and is included on a Memorial Plaque which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I. This plaque hangs in the Sanctuary of the Lakefield United Church on Regent Street.
The photo below shows part of that group, with Fred 2nd from the left seated in the 2nd row.
THE FREDERICK SAMUEL BALSDON FAMILY OF LAKEFIELD
Frederick Samuel Balsdon’s paternal grandparents were Richard and Ann Balsdon.
Frederick Samuel Balsdon’s mother Nellie was young so he was raised by her parents were John Cross Balsdon born in Highampton, England in 1847 and Mary Susannah Down born in England in 1848. They married and emigrated to Canada in 1872 and made their home on Queen Street in Lakefield. They raised a family of thirteen children – Nellie, George James, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ann, Richard Charles, Mary E., John Cross, Cephas Down, Ellen, Albert “Ernest”, a daughter, Emily “Grace”, Henrietta Susannah and Frederick Samuel Balsdon. Nellie married a Mr. Freeborough and made her home in Buffalo, NY. John was a tinsmith and worked as a carpenter at a planing mill. Mary passed away on December 18, 1915 and John died on September 26, 1916; both are buried in Hillside Cemetery in Lakefield.
