Baptie, Clarence Raymond WW1 – Lakefield War Veterans

MILITARY HISTORY

Sergeant Clarence Raymond Baptie — 434754 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

Clarence Raymond Baptie was 26 years and 10 days old when, as a single man, he was Attested in the Canadian Army (CA), Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in Calgary, Alberta and was enlisted on February 3, 1915 into the 50th Canadian Overseas Battalion (Bn), CEF. Clarence Raymond was born in Lakefield, Ontario on July 28, 1871. He was 5′ 4″ tall, dark complexion weight was not given, hazel eyes, black hair and had a 33½” chest (expanded). Clarence Raymond gave his occupation as a Carpenter and his next-of-kin was his mother Mrs. G. A. Baptie, living at 532 8th Ave N.E., Calgary; he indicated that he had 6 weeks as a Private with the Army Service Corps (ASC), Militia Force and that he had no previous Military Force experience. On April 1, 1915 a Separation Allowance of $20.00 monthly and a Pay Assignment of $20.00 monthly was instituted by Clarence Raymond to his mother Mrs. G. A. Baptie. Clarence Raymond’s Medical Examination was done in Calgary on February 3, 1915, he had a scar on his left temple; he was found fit for duty. On February 3, 1915 he was assigned the Rank of Private (Pte); given Regimental Number 434754 and taken-on-strength to the 50th Canadian Overseas Bn CEF. In May 1915 Pte Baptie married Helen Abraham in Calgary. August 14 to September 14, 1915 Pte Baptie was home on the harvest. On October 27, 1915 Pte Baptie embarked the SS Orduňa at Halifax, Nova Scotia for England. He disembarked at England on November 6, 1915.

January 21, 1916 Pte Baptie was taken-on-strength with the 50th Canadian Overseas Bn CEF and appointed as an Acting Lance Corporal (A/L/Cpl) this date. The same day he was appointed as a Lance Corporal (L/Cpl). February 29, 1916 L/Cpl Baptie was promoted to the Rank of Corporal (Cpl). Also on February 29, 1916 Cpl Baptie was appointed as a Lance Sergeant (L/Sgt). August 10, 1916 L/Sgt Baptie and the 50th Canadian Overseas Bn CEF proceeded for service overseas, embarked England for France and disembarked at Havre, France August 11, 1916.

November 11, 1916 L/Sgt Baptie was admitted to the No 13 Canadian Field Ambulance (CFA) with a gunshot wound (GSW) to his left forearm and was transferred to the Casualty Clearing Station# (CCS) in the Field. November 19, 1916 he was admitted to the No 3 Aust CCS with a gunshot wound (GSW) to his left forearm. November 20, 1916 L/Sgt Baptie was moved to AT 106. November 21, 1916 L/Sgt Baptie was admitted to the No 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital at Outreau, France with a gunshot wound (GSW), in the Field, to his left forearm. November 28, 1916 he is Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Andrew and taken-on-strength to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre* (CCAC) at Hastings. Note: The Army Service Corps (his former Corps) gives November 24, 1916 as the date) L/Sgt Baptie was then transferred to the Military Hospital at Eastbourne, England with a GSW to his left forearm (compound) and taken-on-strength to the CCAC at Hastings, England. *The CCAC is a centre where wounded were assessed for either further treatment or return to duty. December 14, 1916 L/Sgt Baptie is transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital (CCH) Woodcote Park at Epsom, England. #A CCS is the first medical unit (after the Aid Post) for wounded soldiers evacuated from the Front-Lines.

February 23, 1917 L/Sgt Baptie is transferred to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital (GCSH) at Ramsgate, England. March 10, 1917 he is taken-on-strength from the CCAC at Hastings to the 21st Reserve Alberta Regiment Depot at Bramshott. April 13, 1917 L/Sgt Baptie was discharged from the GCSH at Ramsgate and was taken-on-strength on posting from the 21st Reserve Alberta Regiment Depot from the 50th Canadian Overseas Bn CEF. On July 4, 1917 L/Sgt Baptie is struck-off-strength to the 50th Canadian Overseas Bn CEF from the 21st Reserve Alberta Regiment Depot and proceeds to France. August 5, 1917 L/Sgt Baptie is appointed as an Acting Sergeant (A/Sgt) with pay, in the Field and is attached to the 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Can Inf Bn). August 17, 1917 Cpl Baptie is appointed as an Acting Sergeant (A/Sgt), paid. August 23, 1917 he reverts to the Rank of Corporal (Cpl) with appointment as a Lance Sergeant (L/Sgt) on ceasing to be attached to the 4th Can Inf Bn. October 1, 1917 Cpl Baptie was on the Front-Line at Lens, France and was gassed by Shells (tear gas). October 18, 1917 he reverts to the appointment of L/Cpl. October 26, 1917 L/Cpl Baptie was in battle of Passchendaele at the Ypres Front, France when he suffered a gunshot wound (GSW) to his left forearm. October 28, 1917 L/Sgt Baptie is admitted to the No 24 General Hospital at Étaples, France. Alberta Regimental Depot** (ARD) is i/c: November 3, 1917 L/Sgt Baptie is transferred to the Bath War Hospital at Bath, England and was taken-on-strength to the ARD when posted from the 50th Canadian Overseas Bn CEF. **The ARD is a facility in England used to assemble men and to store and administer equipment and materials.

March 3, 1918 L/Sgt Baptie was posted to the Casualty Company Calgary. April 30, 1918 L/Sgt Baptie was On-Command to the 2nd Canadian Convalescent Depot (CCD). The CCD was a facility where soldiers could recover from wounds and rebuild their strength. April 6, 1918 L/Sgt Baptie was admitted to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital Bear Wood at Wokingham, England and was discharged April 30, 1918.

May 16, 1918 Sgt Baptie visited the Medical Officer (MO) at the 2nd Canadian Battalion (Can Bn) for an eye examination. He had a slight degree of Astigmatism in both eyes and inflammation in his upper eyelids. L/Sgt Baptie had treatment from May 23 to May 30, 1918. June 2, 1918 Category B 1 was confirmed. July 16, 1918 L/Sgt was On-Command to the 2nd CCD and that was ceased with him being attached to the BRDG. July 25, 1918 he ceases to be attached to the BRDG and is struck-off-strength on transfer to the Canadian Forestry Corps (CFC), Sunningdale England. August 30, 1918 L/Sgt Baptie is struck-off-strength from BDCFC to No 10 Construction Company CFC O/S at Sunningdale and returns to France. August 31, 1918 L/Sgt Baptie is appointed as an Acting Sergeant (A/Sgt) with pay in the Field and then was confirmed to the Rank of Sergeant (Sgt).

January 1, 1919 Sgt Baptie was transferred to England. January 10, 1919 Sgt Baptie was struck-off-strength from No 10 Company, CFC. Sgt Baptie was discharged to Canada. February 17, 1919 he is struck-off-strength from BDCFE on proceeding to Canada at Rhyl, England and is taken-on-strength of District Depot (DD) No 13. About February 15, 1919 Sgt Baptie embarked the SS Empress of Britain bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia. February 18, 1919 Sgt Baptie was granted Leave with a Subsistence Allowance.

February 25, 1919 the SS Empress of Britain arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia. March 18, 1919 Sgt Baptie was diagnosed with Acute Conjunctivitis and a compound Fracture to his left tibia by shrapnel. March 29, 1919 Sgt Baptie was discharged from H. M. Service by DD 13, being medically unfit. April 7, 1919 Sgt Baptie’s War Service Gratuity was given as $600.00.

Sgt Baptie’s Current Condition as of March 26, 1919

In good condition. There is a scar 1½” long and 1″ wide just internal to crest of left tibia at junction of middle and lower thirds and scar is healed but adherent and not tender. X-ray shows position of fracture to be at site of wound and union and alignment of bone are both good. Muscles on left calf are flabby and measure 1¾” less in circumference than similar location of other leg. Walks with slight limp. After walking 5 miles leg gets tired and aches in muscles of calf. Can bear weight of body on this leg but tires sooner than other. States that leg is much weaker than other. Ankle, feet and leg otherwise normal. See Spec. Report regarding eyes. There is still some conjunctivitis and if reads more than 5 minutes eyes water and then head begins aching, so that he has to give it up. Vision normal.

Has the invalid now any affection of the following systems, not described in above?
(Answer Yes or No.—if the answer to any part is Yes, give a brief description of the present condition.)

Nervous System …No … Cardio Vascular System …. No ….. Genito.Urinary System ….. No .

Special Senses …… No ……. Respiratory System ……. No …….. Integumentary System .. Yes .

Disturbances of Mentality …… No …… Digestive System ….. No …. Muscular System … No .

Osseous and Joint Systems ……. No …………… Any other general condition ………………. No

Flesh wound of left forearm due to G.S.W. Nov. 18, 1916. No disability.

After wound and fracture treated in Hospital leg was put up in aluminum splint and got around on crutches. Leg was very weak for months but wound broke open after using leg.
Since treatment for second condition seem to be improving in strength very slowly. Was in tear-shell attack and eyes become very watery and sty’s developed on lids of both eyes. Ever since his eyes water and headaches on reading only.

There is no mention in Sergeant Clarence Raymond Baptie’s File with regards to what Military Medals he was eligible to receive or was awarded. Based on his Military Service, he was awarded the:
British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He would have also received the CEF Class “B” War Service Badge.

Sergeant Clarence Raymond Baptie’s medals were dispatched to him on March 31, 1923.

Sergeant Clarence Raymond Baptie served for: 9 months and 28 days in Canada; 2 years, 3 months and 22 days in the United Kingdom; 11 months and 18 days in France and 21 days Travel Time for a total time of about 4 years and 2 months.

An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, 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

CLARENCE RAYMOND BAPTIE

Clarence Raymond Baptie was born in Lakefield on December 23, 1889, the son of George Alexander Baptie and Elizabeth “Libby” Jane Huffman. He received his education in the local school and helped his father in the building construction business learning carpentry skills. The family lived on Regent Street in Lakefield until 1913 when the Baptie family moved to Calgary, Alberta.

Clarence married Ellen “Helen” Armstrong Abraham in 1915 at Calgary, Alberta. Clarence enlisted in Calgary to serve his country on February 3, 1915 and joined the 50th Battalion. Two of his brothers Frederick Huffman Baptie and George Alexander Baptie followed their big brother and enlisted later that same year. On November 8, 1915, Clarence & Ellen’s son, Raymond Alexander Baptie, was born. Clarence was discharged on March 29, 1919 and returned to his family in Calgary, Alberta. Two more children were born; Morley George Baptie was born in 1920 and Margaret Marion Baptie was born in 1921. The 1921 Canada Census has Clarence and Ellen and their three children living with Clarence’s parents, George and Elizabeth Baptie at 19th Avenue N.E., Calgary, Alberta.

Clarence Raymond Baptie passed away on May 1, 1975 and his wife Ellen died in 1977; both are buried in Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Calgary, Alberta.

Clarence Raymond Baptie was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church and is included on a Memorial Plaque that hung in Knox Presbyterian Church which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I. This plaque was later moved to the Sanctuary of Lakefield United Church on Regent Street in 1932 after the two churches merged to form Lakefield United Church.

THE CLARENCE RAYMOND BAPTIE FAMILY OF LAKEFIELD

Clarence’s paternal grandparents are Mary Ann Barrie and Peter James Baptie. His maternal grandparents are Hester Ann Johnson and George Huffman. They married in Belleville on September 5, 1888 and had a family of six children – Margaret, George, Emma, William, Mary and Agnes Baptie. Peter passed away on July 4, 1899 and Mary Ann died on September 15, 1929; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.

Clarence’s maternal grandparents are Hester Ann Johnson and George Huffman of Lennox & Addington County. They married on August 15, 1864 and had a family of nine children: Wesley; Elizabeth; George; William; Nellia; Cora; Lillian; Frederick and Blanche Huffman.

Clarence’s father, George Alexander Baptie met Elizabeth “Libby” Jane Huffman, daughter of Hester Ann Johnson and George Huffman, when she was living with her family near the Trent Severn waterway in Fredericksburgh in Lennox & Addington County. George and Elizabeth became engaged that same year and made a handsome couple. He cut a dashing figure with his dark suits and chevron style moustache and Elizabeth had up-swept hair and wore freshly pressed Victorian style dresses. They were married in Belleville on September 5, 1888. Then Elizabeth was introduced to a comfortable family life in Lakefield. She enjoyed their spacious home and had many close friends. George and Elizabeth had a family of ten children: Clarence Raymond; Flora Maud; Lola Huffman; Frederick Huffman; Peter Barry; Gertrude May; Ruth Caroline; Ruby Ethel; Marion Margaret and George Alexander Jr. Elizabeth passed away on February 26, 1950 in Calgary, Alberta and George died on February 19, 1953; both are buried in Union Cemetery in Calgary, Alberta.