MILITARY HISTORY
Private Frederick Hoffman* Baptie — 447990 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)
Frederick Hoffman Baptie was 19 years, 2 months and 27 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 November 20, 1915 into the 89th Overseas Battalion [O/S Bn], CEF. Frederick Hoffman was born in Lakefield, Ontario on August 23, 1896. He was 5′ 6½” tall, grey eyes, back hair and had a 35½” chest (expanded); his weight was not given. Frederick Hoffman gave his occupation as a Labourer and his next-of-kin was his mother Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Baptie living at 532 8th Ave N.E., Calgary; he indicated that he had no previous Military experience. Frederick Hoffman’s Medical Examination was done in Calgary on November 20, 1915, he was found fit for duty. On November 20, 1915 he was assigned the Rank of Private (Pte); given Regimental Number 447990 and taken-on-strength to the 89th (O/S) Bn CEF. February 5, 1916 Pte Baptie was transferred to the 56th (O/S) Bn CEF. Although not stated in his File, the same day he would have been taken-on-strength with the 56th (O/S) Bn. Pte Baptie indicated that his father, George Alexander Baptie, is a member of the 56th (O/S) Bn CEF and lived at 532 8th Ave N.E., Calgary.
*Note: Frederick Hoffman is the spelling in his Military Documents; his Statement of Birth has Frederick Huffman.
March 23, 1916 Pte Baptie embarked the SS Baltic at Halifax, Nova Scotia and on April 11, 1916 he disembarked the SS Baltic at England.
April 27, 1916 Pte Baptie was admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital at Shorncliffe, England from the Division Casualty List (DCL) 56th (O/S) Bn CEF with Influenza. Pte Baptie was put on the Casualty List (CL) and May 21, 1916 he was transferred from CL 56th (O/S) Bn CEF to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital (CCH), Woodcote Park, Epson, England. June 5, 1916 Pte Baptie was discharged from the CCH at Woodcote Park, Epson. June 6, 1916 Pte Baptie is transferred from the CL 56th (O/S) Bn CEF to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Overseas (France) from Shorncliffe. June 8, 1916 he arrives in France is taken-on-strength as a PPCLI Bn at the Canadian Base Depot (CBD). June 9, 1916 Private Baptie left the CBD to join his Unit, the PPCLI, in the Field and joined his Unit on June 11, 1916. September 1, 1916 A Pay Assignment of $20.00 monthly was instituted by Frederick Hoffman to his mother Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Baptie.
January 21, 1917, while with the PPCLI, Pte Baptie was admitted to the No 10 Canadian Field Ambulance (CFA) with Influenza and was sent to the No 3 Divisional Rest Station (DRS). January 22, 1917 he was admitted to the No 28 Field Ambulance (FA) Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) from the No 3 DRS with Influenza and was transferred to the No 27 FA, RAMC. On January 23, 1917 he was admitted to the No 42 Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) from the No 27 FA RAMC. January 28, 1917 Pte Baptie was transferred to the No 26 FA RAMC. January 29, 1917 he was admitted to the No 20 General Dannes Camiers Hospital, France.
February 8, 1917 Pte Baptie was in the No 20 General Dannes Camiers Hospital and was transferred to England by the Hospital Ship (HS) Brighton; was transferred and admitted to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre (CCAC) at Hastings, England. The CCAC is a centre where wounded were assessed for either further treatment or return to duty.
Also, on February 8, 1917 Pte Baptie was admitted to the Fairfield Broadstairs Hospital, Kent, England with Influenza and a Debility; he was taken-on-strength at Hastings. March 10, 1917 Pte Baptie was struck-off-strength from the CCAC to the Eastern Ontario Regiment Depot (EORD) and was taken-on-strength on March 11, 1917 at Seaford.
April 2, 1917 Pte Baptie is with the PPCLI and transfers to the Military Hospital at Shorncliffe. April 5, 1917 he is admitted to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital (CCH) at Monks Horton, England. On April 13, 1917 Pte Baptie is discharged from the CCH and is moved to the EORD. April 14, 1917 he is put On Command to the 3rd Canadian Convalescent Depot (CCD).
July 26, 1917 Pte Baptie ceases to be On Command to the 3rd CCD and is struck-off-strength to the 7th Reserve Battalion (Res Bn) at Seaford. July 27, 1917 Pte Baptie was discharged from the 3rd CCD at Seaford and taken-on-strength to the 7th Res Bn. There is a gap of about 1 year and 1 month in Pte Baptie’s Military File, it is quite probable that he was in training and performing assigned duties with the 7th Res Bn. At some point he returned to France before August 13, 1918; a date, say August 8, 1918 will be selected for his return to France.
August 13, 1918 Pte Baptie was admitted to the No 47 Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) and then moved to the No 25 General Hospital. August 14, 1918 he was admitted to the No 4 CFA with Diarrhea and was admitted to a CCS. August 15, 1918 Pte Baptie is admitted to the No 16 USA General Hospital at Le Trepart, France with diarrhea and suspected Dysentery. September 3, 1918 he was with the No 16 USA General Hospital and transferred to England aboard the HS Gloucester Castle.
Also on September 3, 1918 Pte Baptie is invalided sick and was posted to the EORD Park in the Field. September 5, 1918 he was with the EORD and was posted from the PPCLI to the Graylingwell War Chichester Military Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epson. October 23, 1918 Pte Baptie is transferred to King’s Canadian Red Cross, Bushy Park, Hampton Hill, Middlesex and was discharged. On November 10, 1918 Pte Baptie arrived in France from the 3rd CBD, was struck-off-strength from the 7th Res Bn and taken-on-strength to the PPCLI Overseas Bn at Seaford. On November 21, 1918 he joined the PPCLI in the Field. December 11, 1918 Pte Baptie was with the EORD, On Command with Canadian Discharge Depot (CDD) Buxton, England. The CDD is a centre in Canada where soldiers returning from War were released from Service. December 12, 1918 Pte Baptie was attached to the CDD, Buxton for return to Canada; he ceased to be attached to CDD Buxton on embarkation.
January 3, 1919 Pte Baptie ceases to be On Command to the CDD and is struck-off-strength and taken-on-strength to the CEF in Canada, Military District 13, Alberta (Calgary). January 4, 1919 Pte Baptie would have embarked the SS Scotian at Liverpool, England bound for Canada. January 14, 1919 Pte Baptie arrived at St. John, New Brunswick aboard the SS Scotian. January 22, 1919 he is posted to the Casualty Company (CC), Calgary and was granted Leave with a Subsistence Allowance. Also on January 22, 1919 Private Frederick Hoffman Baptie was discharged from His Majesty’s Service, being no longer physically fit for War Service, from the Canadian Army (Canada) at Calgary, Alberta, to return to civil life on demobilization. He was granted a $100.00 Clothing Allowance, a Rehabilitation Grant, War Service Gratuity of $420.00 and his Post Discharge Pay of $145.14. Frederick Hoffman’s Post Service address was 114 – 19th Ave N.E., Calgary Alberta.
There is no mention in Private Frederick Hoffman 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 “A” War Service Badge.
Frederick Hoffman Baptie’s medals were dispatched to him on November 17, 1922.
Private Frederick Hoffman Baptie served for: 4 months, 12 days in Canada; 1 year, 9 months, 6 days in the United Kingdom; 9 months and 6 days in France and 29 days Travel Time for a total time of 3 years, 2 months and 2 days.
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
FREDERICK HUFFMAN BAPTIE
Frederick Huffman Baptie was born in Lakefield on August 23, 1896, 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. Frederick Huffman went by the name “Fred”. In 1913 the Baptie family moved to Calgary, Alberta, Fred was about 16 years old.
On November 20, 1915 Fred joined the Army at a little more than 19 years of age. He spent over 3 years with the 56th Overseas Battalion in WW I. He was discharged on January 22, 1919 and returned to his home in Calgary. Fred’s father, George Alexander was also with the 56th Overseas Battalion in WW I.
About 1939, Fred met Violet Gibson and in 1940 Frederick Huffman Baptie married Violet A. Gibson in Calgary, Alberta. Fred Baptie passed away in Calgary, Alberta in 1970 and his wife Violet died in 1974; both are buried in the Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Calgary, Alberta.
Frederick Huffman 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 FREDERICK HUFFMAN BAPTIE FAMILY OF LAKEFIELD
Fred’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.
Fred’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.
Fred’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.
Frederick Huffman 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.
NOTE: Frederick Huffman Baptie’s Military documents had his name as Frederick Hoffman Baptie throughout.
