MILITARY HISTORY
Private Edward Valentine Blomfield – 442941 – ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)
On June 10th, 1915 Edward Valentine Blomfield completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He was 35 years, 6 months, and 3 weeks old, when as a single man, he enlisted for the duration of the War. Edward Blomfield indicated that he was born in Toronto, Ontario and gave his birth date as November 18th, 1879. The Attestation Paper does not indicate where he was educated or to what level; but information supplied by the family shows that he was educated at Lakefield Preparatory School (now Lakefield College School), Trinity College School in Port Hope (High School), and completed a two year course at Peterborough Business College. He listed 676 Battery Street, Victoria, British Columbia as his current address. He indicated that he had no previous Military experience. As far as his Trade or Calling, he lists ”Miner”. Family supplied information indicates he was an Assistant Mine Manager, with his father at a mine in the Yale Caribou area, of British Columbia. Blomfield was 5′ 8” tall, and had a 38 and 1/2” chest (expanded). He had a fair complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair. His medical examination took place at Vernon Camp, BC, on June 22nd, 1915. He had no medical issues or physical limitations, and as such he was deemed fit (Category A), for Overseas duty with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. His next-of-kin was listed as his Father, Mr. Charles James Blomfield of the same address, in BC. Edward Blomfield signed the Oath and Certificate of Attestation on June 10th, 1915 at Vernon Camp, BC. The Certificate of Magistrate was signed by the Justice on August 17th, 1915, at Vernon Camp. Edward Valentine Blomfield was taken-on-strength as a Private with the 54th Battalion (Kooteney), CEF and was assigned Regimental Service Number 442941.
The 54th Battalion (Kooteney) was a Canadian Infantry Battalion authorized on November 7th, 1914, and was initially comprised of 36 officers and 1111 other ranks. The Battalion had a black bear cub, called ”Koots’,’ as its mascot.
Research indicates that Pvt. Edward Valentine Blomfield was part of the ”second draft” that embarked from Halifax on October 23rd, 1915 arriving in England on November 2nd, 1915.
From a date perspective, the next entry in the Military File seems to be out of sequence; it indicates, that he was ”Tfd to 30th Bn S’cliffe 31/10/15”.
The 30th Battalion was a Canadian Reserve Battalion, stationed at a Canadian Training Base at Shroncliffe, England. It’s purpose was to supply replacements to Combat Battalions in the Field.
In Military parlance, upon transfer to the 30th Canadian Reserve Battalion, Pvt. Blomfield would have been struck-off-strength from the 54th Battalion (Kooteney), and taken-on-strength with the 30th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
There are no entries in the Military File from October 31, 1915 and January 20th, 1916. During this time he would have been going through the standard Canadian Expeditionary Force Training Regimen, getting him ready for service in the Field.
The File indicates that on January 20th, 1916, he was transferred to the 29th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
Once again, upon transfer, he would have been struck-off-strength from the 30th Canadian Reserve Battalion, and taken-on-strength with the 29th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
The 29th Canadian Infantry Battalion was raised in British Columbia March 1915, and had an initial strength of 1227 officers and men. It’s first Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Colonel Henry Tobin, a veteran of the RCMP, and the South African War. The Battalion was also referred to as ”Tobin’s Tigers”, after its first Commanding Officer. The 29th Battalion was part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division.
Pvt. Blomfield departed England on January 21st, 1916 and arrived at the Base Depot (Le Havre) in France, on the same day. He left to join the 29th Battalion, in the field, on February 2nd, 1916 arriving on February 4th, 1916.
There are no entries in the Military File from February 4th, 1916 and June 11th, 1916.
To put this period into some perspective, paraphrased excerpts from the 29th Canadian Battalion War Diary were used.
When Pvt. Blomfield joined 29th Battalion, on February 4th, 1916, it had been relieved on the front-line and was in Divisional Reserve near Locre, France. The men spent the day in: bathing parades, physical drills, kit inspections, and bayonet exercises.
March 12th, the Battalion was at the Kemmel Shelters in Divisional Reserve. The weather was described as raw and cold. It was snowing, with 8” on the ground. The men were engaged, round the clock, in working parties improving trenches and digging communication lines.
April 17th, the weather was described as showery, with a strong south-westerly wind. The 29th Battalion was at the front, in Belgium. ”A” Company was in the front-line trenches, ”C” Company in the craters which were in front of the trenches, ”B” and ”D” Companies at Voormezeele. At 2:30 am, the German’s launched an attack in strength against the craters, which was repulsed. Throughout the day, the craters and Voormezeele were continuously bombarded by enemy artillery, to which Battalion artillery responded. On the 19th, the Companies rotated positions: ”B” Company moved to the front-line trenches, ”D” Company to the craters, with ”A” and ”C” Companies at Voormezeele. The conditions at the craters was described as ”untenable and beyond terrible, with the men standing up to their waists in mud”. The conditions in trenches 14, 15 and 16 were not much better. Work crews were busy trying to improve the conditions. By late afternoon, word was received that craters 6 and 7 had been taken by the enemy. A plan was developed to retake them. Finally, after many delays, in the early hours of the 20th, the craters were retaken. Relief of the Battalion now started, but as a result of very heavy enemy shelling and cut communication lines, it was impossible to relieve the men in the front-line trenches or crater 1. Relief was finally completed later in the evening. It was reported that the men were very much exhausted, when they arrived at ”J” Camp.
The month of May was spent in the area of ”J” Camp. The men were kept busy with work parties repairing old trenches, digging new ones, and improving sanitation. There were bath parades, machine gun and bomber training, and musketry (rifle) instruction. As well as, gas helmet and physical drills, Platoon drills, and Company route marches. While this was going on, the artillery on both sides were quite active. The end of the month, the Battalion marched to Dickebusch, Belgium.
June 11th, 1916 Pvt. Blomfield made out a Will, in case f his death. He left ”the full amount of any money due to him, to be divided equally between his two sisters: Ethel and Kathleen, and his personal effects to his brother: Charles A. Blomfield”.
There are no entries in the Military File from June 11th, 1916 and September 30th, 1916.
Once again, excerpts from the 29th Battalion War Diary were used.
June 20th, the 29th Battalion relieved the Royal Scots Fusiliers in the front-line trenches. ”C” Company took over trenches 16, 17, 18R, and 18L. ”A” Company in trenches 19R, 20, 21 and a portion of R6. ‘B” Company took over trenches from the Bus House to Convent Line and R6. ”D” Company was at Voormezeele. The main objective over the next couple of days was to improve the conditions in the trenches, and run barbed wire along the front of the trenches. All work was carried out at night, so as to avoid detection by enemy balloons, that were up during the daylight hours. June 21st, the enemy opened fire on Battalion front-line positions with trench mortars and bombs. Battalion artillery replied, but retaliation was unsatisfactory. Enemy shelling continued throughout the day. ”A” Company was withdrawn and moved to Voormezeele. ”C” Company moved forward and took over all trenches from 15 to 22, inclusive, making for a very long thinly held front-line. September 22nd and 23rd, enemy aeroplanes were quite active throughout, both days. Enemy machine guns and snipers firing on front-line. 30 ”Rum Jars, Pineapples, and Fish Tail Bombs” fell in Battalion trenches, but few casualties were reported. Battalion patrols scouted out no-mans-land at night. No enemy found. September 24th, ”D” Company relieved ”B” Company from Bus House to Convent Line. ”B” Company moved to Voormezzeele. ”C” Company moved to Voormezzeele Switch, while ”A” Company took over the of R6 position. September 25th and 26th, were reported as normal enemy activity. ”A” Company relieved ”D” Company in the front-line. September 28th, the Battalion was relieved by the 24th Battalion, and was bused to ”D” Camp. The morning of the September 29th, was spent with all ranks resting. During the afternoon there were Company inspections and drills. The gas alert was on. September 30th, the men were kept busy with: physical drills, Company training, and a general Battalion ”brush up”.
July 1st to 3rd, were spent in training. On the 4th, the 29th Battalion moved to ”A” Camp where the training continued. From the 5th to the 11th, in the morning, the Battalion was involved in: physical drills, bombing training, bayonet fighting, training of signallers, and Companies in the attack. In the afternoon, the men engaged in cricket and football games. In the evening work parties. On the 12th, the Battalion relieved the 31st Battalion in the Bluff area, of the front-line. The 13th to 20th, were relatively quiet during daylight hours, with enemy firing Rum Jars, Rifle Grenades, Fish Tails and Trench Mortar Bombs, on Battalion trenches, during the evening. On the 21st, the Battalion was relieved and moved to Chippewa Camp. On the 30th, it moved to 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade Reserve.
August 1916 opened with the 29th Battalion still in Brigade Reserve, where they continued to undergo training. There were bath parades, concerts at the YMCA, and prizes given out for sports. A gas alert was on, and everyone warned to be cautious. On the 8th, the Battalion relieved the 31st Battalion in the St. Eloi trenches. ”A” Company to Scottish Wood, ”B” Company in trenches 14 to 19, ”C” Company at R6, and ”D” Company in trenches 19 to 23. The 9th to 13th, were reported as generally quiet. The men were engaged in work parties from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am. The gas alert was taken off. On the 14th, in the morning, his Majesty King George the V and Edward, the Prince of Wales passed through the Battalion transport line, while the men were engaged improving trenches and parapets. Although on the 16th, everything was reported as quiet, there was considerable aerial activity. On the 16th, the Battalion moved to Alberta Camp, after being relieved by the 24th Battalion. The 17th, was spent preparing for a Brigade inspection on the 18th, by General Sir Sam Hughes. On the 19th, the Battalion turned in all their Ross rifles in exchange for Lee Enfield short rifles.
The inspection by General Sir Sam Hughes and the replacement of the Ross rifles was interesting timing. Sir Sam Hughes was a staunch supporter of the Ross rifle, which by this time had a poor reputation among the Canadian soldiers, as being unreliable in the dirty, rough and tumble day-to-day activities of trench warfare. With its long barrel, it was an excellent hunting, and sniping rifle, but it often jammed because of dirt. Its length made it unwieldy. When it was fired with the bayonet in place, the bayonet often fell off. It was also easy to reassemble incorrectly after cleaning, and when it was fired, the bolt would fly back and strike the rifleman’s face. It worked fine with the precision made Canadian ammunition from Dominion Arsenal, but would often jam on the mass produced and less precise British ammunition. After the Battle for Ypres, a Canadian Officer would state: ”its nothing short of murder to send men out against the enemy with such a weapon”.
On the 20th, the Battalion joined the 6th Brigade and marched to Steenvord, via Reninghelst and Abele. Men who fell out during the march were picked up by the following Battalion ambulances. On the 21st, there was another long march this time to billets at Merckeghem, in France. It was reported that very few men dropped on this march. The countryside was described as ”very beautiful”. On the 22nd, muster parades were held in the morning, and Company parades in the afternoon. The 23rd to 26th, were spent in Section and Company drills, rapid fire exercises, bayonet fighting, physical drills, and work parties. All Companies shot at the range. There were also cricket matches and sports in the afternoon. On the 27th, there was a Brigade Church Parade at Bollezeele. The Battalion marched to new billets on the 28th, via Watten, Estemont, and Questmont. The billets which consisted of many small houses and small farms, were described as: ”very poor and not enough”. The villagers complained that the previous Battalion had left them in disrepair. The weather for the remainder of the month was reported as wet, which interfered with the usual training and practice on the range.
The month of September 1916, opened with the Battalion practising attacks, at the training area. On the 4th, they marched to St. Omer, where they boarded trains for ”Canadas”. They marched to Lavicogne on the 5th. On the 6th, they marched to Vadencourt. Followed by a march to the Brickfields, near Albert, on the 7th, where they remained to the 10th. On September 10th, the Battalion took up positions in the front-line trenches. The Battalion was deployed as follows: ”D” and ”C” Companies in trenches, ”B” Company in support, and ”A” Company in reserve. There were two small bombing attacks, by the enemy, on the front-line trenches, but both were driven back. On September 11th, orders were received to dig an assembly trench 100 yards in front of, and parallel to the front-line trenches. ”A” and ”B” companies were detailed. On the 12th, the Companies rotated. ”A” Company was on the left in the front-line trenches, ”B” Company on the right, ”C” Company was in support, and ”D” Company in reserve. The Battalion positions were shelled intermittently, by the enemy, for the next two days. Orders came down on the 13th, of a planned attack on enemy positions on the 14th. The Battalion was withdrawn to a reserve area. The attack was successful. ”C” and ”D” Companies were utilized in carrying parties, taking ammunition to the front, while “A” and ”B” Companies remained in reserve. On the 18th, the Battalion marched to Val-de-Maison and went under canvas. The conditions were described as ”cold and disagreeable”.
After a long march on September 24th, the 29th Battalion took up positions in the front-line trenches in Sausage Valley, east of Courecelette, in preparation for an attack on the German trenches, September 26th. One minute after an artillery barrage began on enemy positions, at 12:55, the attack began. In short order the Battalion objective was taken, and the men dug in. Throughout the next 3 days, the men hung on, although exposed to ”galling sniping and machine gun fire from the enemy”. They also repulsed two German counter-attacks in strength. On the 30th, the Battalion was relieved. The casualty count was: 5 officers killed, 7 wounded, and 1 missing; 47 other ranks killed, 158 wounded (Pvt. Blomfield would have been one of these), and 58 missing.
Pvt. Blomfield was admitted to No.1 Canadian General Hospital at Etretat, France, on September 30th, 1916 with a Gunshot wound to his face. On October 3rd, he was evacuated, by ship, and transferred to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre at Folkstone, England.. Then he was next transferred to 1st Western General Hospital, at Liverpool, where he remained from October 4th, 1916 to November 9th, 1916. On November 10th, he was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom, England, where he remained until November 18th, 1916. At this point, he was discharged from Canadian Convalescent Hospital and was transferred to the Canadian Command Depot (CCD) at Shoreham.
On February 13, 1917 Pvt. Blomfield was struck-off-strength CCD on transfer to the 1st Canadian Reinforcement Battalion. On the same day, he was taken-on-strength with 1st Canadian Reinforcement Battalion.
April 3rd, he was struck-off-strength from 1st Canadian Reinforcement Battalion, and was taken-on-strength with 29th Battalion. April 4th, he embarked for France, landing at the Base Depot (Le Havre). He left for the 29th Battalion, in the Field, on April 23rd, 1917. He joined the Battalion on April 25th, 1917. When he joined the Battalion, it was at a Divisional Rest Camp, west of Aux Rietz, where they were re-equipping and re-organizing. On the 26th, the Battalion relieved the 26th Battalion in Divisional Support area. With enemy activity quiet, the men spent the rest of the month in work parties.
On May 2nd, the Battalion moved forward to a Brigade Reserve position in the Assembly area, east of Farbus-Vimy Railway Embankment, in preparation for a 1st and 2nd Division attack on the German trenches. At 2:30 am the Battalion was in position in the jump-off trenches. At 3:45 am, on the 3rd, the attack began. 1st Division was successful in capturing Fresnoy, while 2nd Division fought through the day and by evening had captured the area to the east through the Arleux Loop. Although the front-line was shelled heavily, through the day by the Germans, the Battalion held on. 8 other ranks were killed and 28 wounded. On the 5th, the weather was reported as fine, and as a result enemy areoplane activity increased, and were directing artillery fire on Battalion front-line positions. 9 other ranks were killed, and 19 wounded. Pvt. Blomfield would have been one.
He was treated at the No. 22 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, on May 5th, 1917, and was reported as being ”dangerously ill, due to wounds”. At 6:00 pm, on May 7th, 1917, Pvt. Edward Valentine Blomfield was reported as having died from wounds received in action.
Private Edward Valentine Blomfield is buried in Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension, at Bruay-la-Buissiere, Pas-de-Calais, France. His name appears on Page 203 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
The British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to his brother: Charles A. Blomfield of Deep Cove, Sydney P.O., Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The Memorial Plaque and Scroll were sent to his brother: F.C. Blomfield – Esquire, 2214 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan.
As far as other Medals and the Memorial Cross is concerned, the Military File indicates: he was not eligible to receive the 1914 – 1915 Star, and the Memorial Cross as Nil.
According to the Military File, Private Edward Valentine Blomfield served a total of 1 year, 10 months, and 27 days with the Canadian Expeditionary Force: 4 months and 22 days in Canada; 9 months in the U.K., and 9 months in France.
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
EDWARD VALENTINE STRICKLAND BLOMFIELD
Edward Valentine Strickland Blomfield was born November 18, 1877 in Toronto, York County, Ontario to Charles James Blomfield and Jane (Jennie) Margaret Strickland. He was one of eleven children born to Charles and Jennie Blomfield. The 1891 Census has the Blomfield family living in Lakefield; there were the parents, seven children and a domestic in the home. Edward receive his education at the Lakefield Preparatory School now known as Lakefield College School. He went on to Trinity College School in Port Hope and completed a two-year course at Peterborough Business School. In 1901 Charles, Jennie and their four youngest children were living in the Village of Lakefield next door to Dr. John R. Fraser while Edward had moved to the Yale & Cariboo area of the Okanagan District of British Columbia. He was boarding with George & Mary Buchanan and working in a local sawmill.
In March of 1902, Jane “Jennie” Margaret Blomfield died in Lakefield at the age of 58 years and sometime after that time, Charles and his youngest daughter, Kathleen and youngest son, Charles Alfred went west to the Okanagan District of British Columbia to be near Edward. In 1911 Edward was boarding with Charles and Mary Maloan in the Okanagan District of British Columbia and working as a labourer mining.
On August 17, 1915 Edward Valentine Blomfield went to Vernon Camp, British Columbia and enlisted in the Army joining the Canadian Infantry Regiment. Edward Valentine did not marry; he died of wounds suffered in France on May 7, 1917 and is remembered with honour in the Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
THE EDWARD VALENTINE STRICKLAND BLOMFIELD FAMILY OF LAKEFIELD
Edward Valentine’s paternal grandfather Charles James Blomfield was a well-known and respected Church of England Lord Bishop for 32 years. He first married Anna Maria Health on November 6, 1810 in Norfolk, England and they had five children Anna Maria, Charles James, Charles William, Maria and Edward Thomas Blomfield. Maria Blomfield was the only child to survive to adulthood and Charles wife Anna died February 16, 1818 leaving Charles with three year old Maria.
On December 17, 1919, Charles James Blomfield married Dorothy Kent (nee Cox) who had a two year old son from a previous marriage. Charles James Blomfield and Dorothy Cox had a family of eleven children – Charles James, Mary Frances, Frederick George, Isabella, Henry John, Francis, Arthur William, Lucy Elizabeth, Charles James (III), Alfred, and Dorothy Hester Blomfield.
Edward’s maternal grandparents were Samuel Strickland and Mary Reid. Samuel was born in November 1805 in Suffolk, England and immigrated to Canada and became a very prominent businessman and did much to enhance the growth of Lakefield. His wife, Mary Reid was born in 1808 and Samuel and Mary had a family of fourteen children. Sadly Mary passed away in 1850, age 42 years, after the birth of her last child. In 1855, Samuel married his third wife, Katherine “Katy” Rackham in Whatfield, Suffolk, England. Samuel died in January 1867 and is buried in the Christ Church Anglican Cemetery, Lakefield, ON
Edward Valentine’s parents Charles James (III) Blomfield born May 18, 1931 in Fulham, Greater London, England and Jane “Jennie” Margaret Strickland born August 7, 1843 married in Peterborough, Ontario on June 15, 1865. Charles and Jane had eleven children: Frank, Dorothy Henrietta; Mary Emmaline; Frederick Charles; Edith died in infancy; Isabella May; Edward Valentine Strickland; Ethel Rose; Reginald D’Henin; Charles Alfred; Catherine Rolleston. Charles James (III) Blomfield was the first university trained accountant in Peterborough, taking over for his father-in-law Samuel Strickland, as the Regional Manager for the Canada Land and Emigration Company – administrating all lands east of York/Toronto.
Jane “Jennie” Margaret Strickland, age 58 years, died in Lakefield on March 22, 1902 and is buried in Hillside Cemetery in Lakefield, Ontario. Upon the death of his wife, Jane, Charles ent west to Meskanaw, Saskatchewan and stayed for a time with his nephew-in-law, William “Willie” Edward Traill. Later he stayed with George Alexander Stewart and his wife, who were living at what is now known as Banff, Alberta before moving to British Columbia where his son Edward, was an administrator for a mining company. Charles James Blomfield, age 84 years, died March 25, 1916 in Victoria, B.C. and is buried in the Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria, B.C.