MILITARY HISTORY

Gunner John Irwin Chittick – 5951 – Active Service (World War I)

On September 25^h, 1914 John Irwin Chittick completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He was 21 years, 11 months, and 15 days old, when as a single man, he enlisted for the duration of the War. John Chittick indicated that he was born in Peterborough County, Ontario, and gave his birth date as October 12^th, 1892. The Attestation Paper does not indicate where he was educated or to what level. He indicated that he had no previous Military experience. As far as his Trade or Calling, he lists what appears to be ”Fireman”. Farmer and Rancher are crossed out. Another entry on the Medical Certificate indicates his Trade as a “Rancher”. Chittick was 6′ tall,  with  a 42” chest (expanded). He had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair.  His medical examination took place at Valcartier, Quebec, on September 4^th, 1914. Except for a ”scar on left ankle and a mole on left abdomen”; 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, also John Irwin Chittick of R.R. #4 Peterborough, Ontario. John Irwin Chittick signed the Oath, and Certificate of Attestation on September 25^th, 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec. The Certificate of Magistrate was signed by the Justice on September 25th, 1914, also at Valcartier, Quebec. John Chittick was  taken-on-strength as a Gunner with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade, CEF and was assigned Regimental Service Number 5951.

The Certificate of Officer Commanding Unit was signed January 19^th, 1915. 

The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA) was placed on active service on August 6^th, 1914 and  on August 26^th, 1914 it was mobilized as the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade (RCHA Brigade), CEF.

The Military File does not indicate when Gunner John Chittick embarked for, or arrived in England;   but Brigade Records indicate that it embarked by ship from Valcartier, Quebec on September 30^th, 1914. Based on this, it is possible that,  Gunner Chittick went with them, after only 5 days of training. 

When the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade War Diary was checked, something interesting was found. Contrary to the standard practice of the entries only starting when the Unit arrived in France; in the case of the RCHA Brigade, the entries started when it arrived in England.

”October 17^th, 1914  Brigade pulled into the dock at Devenport at 11:30 am., and disembarkation began”. On the 18^th, the Brigade boarded 4 trains, which took them to the town of Amesbury, where they unloaded, and marched to the nearby Bulford Military Camp, on the Salisbury Plain. The rest of the month was spent in ”routine work”. Research failed to discover what this covered, but it can be assumed they received training, to prepare them for what they would experience in the field. They also engaged in: organizing equipment, marching order drills, and there were church parades. On October 29^th, the Brigade was inspected by a Brigadier General Smith. On November 4^th, they were inspected by His Majesty – King George V.

November and December 1914 were spent with the Brigade still at Bulford Camp on the Salisbury Plain, engaged in ”routine work”.

From January to July, 1915 entries in the War Diary were pretty much the same as the previous period: routine work, drills and marching parades; except that tactical exercises, and Battery training were added.

January 4^th, 1915 the Brigade marched to billets in the area of Tinhead-Edington; east-northeast of Westbury. On February 27^th, the Brigade marched to billets at Maresfield Park, which was a large Canadian Army Camp, located in the Wealden District of east Sussex; where it joined the Royal Canadian Dragons, Lord Strathcona’s Horse, the 2^nd King Edward’s Horse. It is reported, that the men of the RCHA Brigade were ”bitterly disappointed when the Dragoons, Strathcona’s, and King Edward’s Horse departed for France on May 5^th, 1916, while they remained behind”. They asked if them having ”13 pounders, instead of 18 pounders was the reason”. Research failed to identify the reason they were left behind. Needless to say, the RCHA Brigade was on their way on July 18^th, 1915.

The first entry in Gunner John Irwin Chittick’s Military File indicates he embarked for France on July 18^th, 1915 for France, from Maresfield.

The War Diary indicates the RCHA Brigade left Maresfield during the night of July 18^th arriving at Buxted, where they entrained for the Port of Southampton, arriving on the 19^th, where they boarded ships for France.  

The Brigade landed in France, at the Canadian Base Depot at Le Havre, on July 20^th, 1915.

When the Brigade landed in France it was comprised of two Batteries (”A” and ”B”). It had total of 15 officers, 244 other ranks, 398 horses, and 12 guns.

In France, the Brigade  provided mobile field artillery support, as part of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, CEF, in France and Flanders, Belgium.

There are no entries in the Military File from July 20^th, 1915 to January 1^st, 1917. For this period, the War Diary of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade was used.

July 23^rd, 1915 the Brigade marched to Audruicq, where they entrained, and after getting off the trains marched to billets at Louches, where they remained until September 7^th. They were kept busy with routine work, and route marches about the countryside. September 8^th, the Brigade marched to Renscure, France and took up positions, nearby. On the 17^th, ”A” Battery moved to position T23 c 48 (map co-ordinate).  The Military File indicates that, Gunner Chittick was assigned to ”A” Battery. The 19^th to 22^nd, were spent, with the Batteries ”registering their guns”. The Batteries received orders to engage in a ”wire cutting” barrage on the 23^rd, 1001 rounds were fired. On the 24^th and 25^th, they laid on a bombardment of enemy positions near Petit Douve.  The 26^th and 27^th, were reported as quiet.  ”A” Battery was relieved, and moved back to  billets at T23, in Belgium.

October 1915: on the 1^st, the Brigade moved to new positions in the area of Neuve Eglise, Belgium, which were described as very comfortable, where they remained until the 7^th, when it moved to position T15 d 23 (map co-ordinate). The 8^th to 11^th, were spent registering their guns. On the 13^th, the Brigade engaged in a wire cutting bombardment; they also fired a large number of shrapnel rounds on enemy front-line, and support trenches. It is reported: ”the enemy retaliated with a large number of high explosive rounds, and completely out-shelled us”. Later that night, the Brigade moved to billets at S30 a 00, (map co-ordinate) near  Wulverghem, where it remained until the 28^th. On the 29^th, it moved back to billets at Neuve Eglise. The rest of the month was spent working on improving positions, but their effort was hampered by lack of materials.

November 1915: opened with the men still engaged in routine work, and trying to improve positions. This lasted until the 16^th, when ”A” Battery moved forward, and participated in a wire cutting bombardment, from 9 am to 4 pm, 252 rounds were fired, with very disappointing results reported. On the 17^th, Neuve Eglise was heavily shelled by the enemy with 5.9” and 8” guns, but no casualties were reported. The 18^th to 22^nd, were spent in routine work. On the 23^rd, the Brigade moved to a new forward position. On the 24^th, both Batteries ”ranged their guns”. At 9 am, they opened up a wire cutting bombardment. Almost immediately, ”A” Battery guns were located by enemy guns, and had to cease fire. In the afternoon, it opened fire again; but this time, as a result of friendly aeroplanes being in the air, enemy observation aeroplanes were kept away from the area. The rest of the month was spent in routine work.

December 1915: opened with the Brigade still at Neuve Eglise. The men were engaged in overhauling guns, improving observation posts, and gun positions; interspersed with periodic firing on enemy positions. Weather for the month was reported as ranging from very fine and clear, to misty, showers, light to heavy rain. Nothing special happened at Christmas.

January 1916: the month opened with the Brigade firing 156 rounds on small groups of the enemy moving in the open, well back of their lines. Daily firing on enemy observation posts, front-line, support, and communication trenches, vehicles, and supply lines would continue to the 25^th. On the 26^th, the Brigade withdrew from their position, and marched to the rear, where they entrained at Steenwerck Station arriving  at Woincourt, France, on the 28th. They marched two miles to billets at Yzengremer on the 29^th. It is reported that all horses were under cover, and the men were billeted in a Chateau. The rest of the month was spent in a general cleanup of horses, men, and equipment.

February – March – until April 8^th, 1916: the Brigade remained at Yzengremer with time spent in: cleanup, driving drills, riding, signalling, range finding, gun drills, section training, short route marches, church parades, and Brigade inspections.

April 8^th, the Brigade marched in a column to Fointaine, and then on the 9^th, to Blangy-sur-Ternoise, in the Pas-de-Calais area of France.

From now to May 21^st, the Brigade was in daily Battery training. On the 21^st, the Brigade marched to billets at Neuf-Moulin, where Battery, and Brigade training continued. They also practiced crossing trenches, and wire entanglements with horses and guns. This training continued to June 26^th, when the Brigade marched to Soues. On the 27^th, it marched, in heavy rain, to Daours, arriving on the 28^th. They were bivouaced there for the rest of the month.

July – August 7^th, 1916: spent in the area of Daours training. Marched to Sery, where it bivouaced  until the 19^th. On the 20^th, the Brigade marched to Woignarue, where it remained until the 26^th, when it marched back to Sery. On the 27^th, it began a series of daily marches, arriving at a position described as E18 on the 31^st. It was reported, that a heavy enemy bombardment, including gas shells fell on ”A” Battery positions.

September 1916: the month opened with the Brigade in position near Guillmont. One Section of ”A” Battery was north-east of Trones Wood to supply artillery support to an Infantry assault on Guillmont. The other Section, along with ”B” Battery was in position to ”enfilade” (volley of gun fire) Sunken Road, and enemy trenches west of Leuze. Both Batteries fired softening up rounds on the 2^nd. At noon on the 3^rd, the Infantry assault began, with all objectives taken in quick order. From noon to 2:55 pm, the Batteries alternated between ”intense and slow fire”, on enemy positions. The Brigade was on standby for the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th, anticipating enemy counter-attacks, which didn’t happen. Guns relocated on the 7^th, near Angle Road to enfilade trenches, Sunken Road in Ginchy, and the trenches behind it, in support of Infantry assaults. This went on until the 9^th. The 10^th and 11^th, were spent watching for counter-attacks. On the 12^th, the Brigade rejoined the 2^nd Division near Bussy-les-Daours. Where it remained for the rest of the month.

October 1916: the Brigade remained bivouaced, in the rain, at Bussy until the 6^th, when it moved to position E22 C. The 7^th to 9^th, the Brigade was engaged in using their horses supplying the 56^th Divisional Artillery with ammunition. On the 10^th, they moved to position A22 4.9, near Carndy, where it bivouaced, until the 16^th. The men were engaged in working parties. The Brigade moved to position T7 C 8.6, and then the night of 17^th – 18^th, they moved into position T7 a 1.1,  for the purpose of supplying artillery support for a planned Infantry assault that was to start at 3:45 am, on the 18^th. From zero hour to 6:20 am, the Brigade guns laid down intense fire on enemy positions. At which time, the rate of fire reduced to 1 round per gun every 3 minutes. At 7:40 am, the guns stood to, for a counter-attack. For the rest of the month, both Batteries of the Brigade fired occasional salvos, at irregular intervals on enemy Milky Way, and Stormy trenches. The Brigade was withdrawn from the line, the night of October 31^st.

November 1916: the Brigade bivouaced on wagon lines. On the 2^nd, Batteries moved independently to position E 22 c, where they remained until the 5^th. Moved to a new position in the wagon lines, F 24 on the 6^th, which were described as ”1 foot deep in mud”. It rained the whole time. On the 10^th, they moved back to their old camp at E22 c. Now began a series of daily marches, that took them to billets at St. Quentin on the 15^th. The billets were described as: ”for the most part very good”. The rest of the month was spent: cleaning the horses, and harnesses; exercising horses, clipping, training remounts; as well as individual training. The weather during this period was described as ”rain”.

December 1916: the month was spent in: individual training, training remount exercises, exercise rides, inspections, and church parades.

On January 1^st, 1917 Gunner Chittick was admitted to No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, in Le Treport as being ”sick”. He was transferred to the No. 39 Canadian General Hospital in Le Havre on January 4^th, 1917, where he remained until his discharge on February 19^th, when he was transferred to the Canadian Base Depot. He rejoined ”A” Battery on February 20^th, and was granted a 10 day leave arriving back on March 2^nd. He left to join ”A” Battery in the field on March 3^rd, rejoining on March 12^th.

Once again, there are no entries in the Military File from March 12^th, to August 9^th, 1917 and the War Diary was used.

March 12^th, 1917 when Chittick rejoined the Brigade, it was billeted at St. Quentin, engaged in routine work. Where it remained until the 18^th. On the 19^th, it began a series of daily marches, which took it to Manacourt, arriving on the 24^th. The 25^th was spent preparing to support the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (which was fighting as an Infantry Unit) assault on Equancourt Wood and Village, on the 26^th.  Both objectives were taken. On the 27^th, ”A” Battery took up a position south west of Lieramont and supported a Canadian Cavalry Brigade attack on Guyencourt – Saulcourt, which was successful. On the 28^th, it was withdrawn to bivouacs at Manancourt. The Brigade marched to Camp 57, at Cappy, where it remained for the rest of the month. The men were engaged in cleaning up.

April 1917: the month opened with the men still engaged in cleaning up. On the 12^th, ”B” Battery moved to Fourques. ”A” Battery remained behind until the 16^th, when it marched to Fourques, where it rejoined the Brigade. The rest of the month ”A” Battery was engaged in manoeuvres with the Lord Strathcona’s Horses, and tactical exercises, involving spotter aeroplanes, and the Canadian Cavalry Brigade.

May 1917: the Brigade was involved in Battery manoeuvres, and training. On the 8^th, it moved to bivouacs near Hamelet. On the 10^th, the Brigade returned to the 5^th Canadian Cavalry Division, and bivouaced in V4 central.  On the 12^th, the 5^th Canadian Cavalry Division was ordered to the front-line, and relieve the 59^th U.S Infantry Division. On the 17^th, the Brigade was grouped in support of the Secunderabad Brigade (British Indian Army). On the 18^th, the Brigade moved forward, and took up forward positions near Nobescourt Farm. The rest of the month, was reported as quiet, with only a few rounds fired, per day, by both sides.

June 1917: still near Nobescourt Farm. From the 1^st to 22^nd, the Brigade was reported in normal artillery work, with most days as quiet. The 23^rd to 26^th, all Brigade guns were firing on enemy communication trench. Guns paused on the 26^th, and started up again on the 27^th. The 28^th to 30^th,  were reported as normal activity.

July 1917: the Brigade remained at Nobescourt until the 12^th, when it started a series of daily marches, ending up at St. Pol, on the 20^th. Routine work until the 27^th, when the Brigade marched to billets near Mazingarbe, where it spent the rest of the month.

August 1917: from the 1^st to 7^th, the Brigade was engaged in normal activities. The weather was described as continuous rain. 

On August 9^th, 1917 Gunner Chittick was admitted to No. 51 Canadian General Hospital, at Etaples, France, with ”health related issues”, where he remained until October 25^th, 1917 when he was discharged to the Canadian Base Depot. He was taken-on-strength with ”A” Battery, on October 30^th, and left the same day to join the Brigade in the field.  Joining the Unit on October 31^st.

There are no entries in the Military File from October 31^st, 1917 to July 2^nd, 1918. The War Diary was used.

November 1917: when Gunner Chittick rejoined the Brigade, it was located at Herly, France, where it was engaged in routine work. It remained there until the 9^th, when it began a number of daily marches which took it to Hamelet, France on the 13^th; where it came under the command of the 3^rd Ambala Brigade (British Indian Cavalry). On the 20^th, the Brigade marched to Marcoinq – Maisinieres. ”A” Battery moved forward to reinforce the 1^st Cavalry Division near Ribecourt, on the 21^st. The 22^nd, the Brigade marched to Equancourt, and on the 23^rd, to Cappy.  On the 26^th, the Brigade moved to another position, which is unreadable, where it stayed until the 29^th. On the 30^th, the Brigade was ordered to concentrate a bombardment at a crossroad 1/2 mile east of Estrees. The 1^st Cavalry Division, then pushed off rapidly to assist repelling a heavy enemy attack near Gouzeaucourt. ”A” Battery accompanied the Ambala Brigade to an area east of Epehy, where it went into action.

December 1917: the month opened with ”A” Battery in action, firing on enemy positions near Genin Well. Brigade wagon lines, were shelled by the enemy, and had to be moved twice during the night. 12 horses were killed. ”A” Battery fired on enemy positions near Viller Quislain. Not much activity on the 4^th. With no firing at all on the 5^th. The Brigade now marched to Roisel, where it remained to the end of the month. The weather was described as clear and cold, with the occasional blizzard. The men were engaged in routine work.

January and February 1918: were repeats of the last days of December 1917.

March 1918: the month began as January – February. On the 19^th, ”A” Battery changed positions, and were shelled by the enemy during the night, with high explosive shells. Battery guns retaliated. Throughout the 20^th and 21^st, ”A” Battery was continuously shelled. It was ordered to retire, but because of cut communication lines, it didn’t get the message. On the 22^nd, word was received that the enemy had broken through the ”Green Line”. All Batteries, immediately put down a heavy barrage in front of Poeuilly, and across the valley, where the enemy were reported. Brigade was gradually withdrawn, and moved to a valley south of Mons-en-Chausee, on the 23^rd. taking up a position near Morchain. On the 24^th, word was received that the enemy had crossed the Canal between Bethencourt – Porgny. All Batteries laid on a heavy barrage, all day, and as a result, the enemy made little progress.  The rest of the month remained relatively fluid, with enemy advances, and Brigade guns being moved about to bombard enemy positions, and Infantry retaking previously lost positions.

April 1918:  the month opened with the Brigade in position near Hailles, France. The 1^st to 9^th, were reported as relatively quiet. On the 10^th, the Brigade withdrew, and took up a position near La Chausee, on the 11^th. On the 12^th, the Brigade was ordered to move to Maizicourt-Beauvoir. While on the road, ”the Commander-in-Chief passed, and upon recognizing the Brigade, stopped, and said that he could not pass, without congratulating them on their recent operations”. On the 13^th, the Brigade marched to Valhuon, and then on to Pernes, arriving on the 14^th. On the 17^th, they marched to Eps. The rest of the month was reported as quiet, with the men taking care of the Brigade horses, which were described as being in fine shape. The Brigade was visited by a General Seely, Officer Commanding of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade. At the end of the month word was received that the Canadian Corps Commander would inspect the entire Canadian Cavalry Brigade, in full marching order, on May 1^st.

May 1918: on the 1^st, the Cavalry Brigade formed up, in mass, and marched passed the Corps Commander in single file. He gave a short address, complimenting the Cavalry Brigade, and then awarded a number of decorations to officers and men. The RCHA Brigade marched to Vielhesdin on the 4^th, and Mesnil Domqueur on the 5^th. Then on to billets at Montigny on the 7^th. The next few days were spent receiving orders to move to the front, and then to ”stand to”. In the event of being ordered to advance, suitable routes were checked out. The men spent their time in training exercises. On the 23^rd, orders were received to march to St. Ouen, on the 24^th, where it spent the rest of the month in routine work.

June 1918: until the 23^rd, the Brigade remained at St. Ouen. On the 24^th, it marched to Montigny, where it spent the rest of the month.

On July 2^nd, 1918, Gunner Chittick was admitted to No. 20 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station with ”Influenza”. He remained there until July 15^th, when he was discharged. He rejoined ”A” Battery in the field on July 16^th. Gunner Chittick was granted a 14 day leave to England on August 23^rd.  He returned on September 8^th, and rejoined his Unit, in the field.

There are no entries in the Military File from September 8^th, 1918 to February 5^th, 1919. once again, the War diary was used.

September 1918: on September 8^th, when Gunner Chittick rejoined the Brigade it was located at Ligny-sur-Canche, and it was raining. It would continue to rain, until the 13^th, when the horses of the Brigade were inspected by the Officer Commanding of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade. The 15^th and 16^th, were spent in Brigade tactical schemes. The afternoon, of the 16^th, the Brigade marched to Blangy-sur-Ternoise. On the 17^th, the Brigade started as series of daily marches, arriving at Fillievres, France on the 20^th, where it remained until the 24^th. On the 25^th, it marched to Thieves. It marched again on the 28^th, taking up a position near Curlaincourt, where it finished the month. 

October 1918: the month opened with the Brigade under stand to orders, being ready to move with an hour and one half notice. The evening of the 3^rd, the Brigade marched to Vermand, and were placed on 4 hours notice to move. It made a night march to Joncourt Valley arriving at 5:30 am. It took up a position at G.17.b. On the 9^th, the Brigade moved to Valley in C.1 Central. ”A” Battery was ordered to join Advance Guard, in support of the Fort Garry Horse, and immediately went into action firing on a Cross Roads; as the Fort Garry Horse charged enemy machine gun posts at P.s5.d. At 12:30, the Battery fired on enemy positions at Remont, Troisvillers, and Woods, while the Fort Garry Horse continued their advance. At 16:30, ”A” Battery was ordered to gallop forward, and supply close artillery support. With the Fort Garry Horse seen on a crest, at 18:00, the Battery, once again, galloped forward to continue to provide close support to the advance.  The Battery fired on enemy in the open on the road between Inchy and La Chateau. Brigade guns continued to fire all through the night. The early evening of the 10^th, all Brigade guns fired a creeping barrage in support of the continuing Infantry attack. At 19:30, the Brigade was withdrawn, and marched to bivouacs at Montigny. On the 13^th, it marched to Banteux, and then to Fins-Bus in the early hours of the 14^th. In the afternoon, it marched to an area just east of Ypres., where it remained to the end of the month. The men were engaged in the usual routine work. They also engaged in tactical schemes with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, and the Lord Strathcona’s Horse.

November 1918: on the 6^th, the Brigade marched to Buissey, followed by a series of daily marches, ending up at Fontenoy, Belgium on the 11^th.

Word was received, that all hostilities would stop at 11:00. The Brigade stopped its advance; the horses were off saddled, and fed near the Village of Troups.

On the 12^th, all kits were inspected, in order to have all men properly dressed. The 13^th, was spent cleaning up for a move forward. The 14^th to 16^th, were spent in routine work. The Brigade marched to Vollezeele on the 18^th, where it stayed until the 21^st. On the 22^nd, it marched to billets at Geest-Geromport. On the 24^th, it marched to Mont St.Andre, where it spent the rest of the month in routine work.

December 1918: on the 16^th, the Brigade marched to permanent winter billeting area near Hermalle-sur-Nuy. ”A” Battery at Clermont. The rest of the month was reported as dull and cool. Men on rotational leaves to England.

January and February 1919: the Brigade remained at Hermalle-sur-Nuy, with the men continuing on rotational leaves to England, and in routine work. The weather was reported as bright and cool to bright and cold.

Gunner Chittick was granted a 10 day leave on February 5^th, 1919, and rejoined ”A” Battery in the field on February 17^th.

When Gunner Chittick rejoined ”A” Battery, the routine was the same as when he left, and continued to the end of the month.

March 1919: was spent in a series of daily marches across Belgium and into France, arriving at St. Quentin – Lamolte on the 31^st, where it remained into April.  

Gunner Chittick proceeded to England from France on, what appears to be, April 6^th, 1919.

There are a couple of entries in the Military File which are unreadable, as to when he proceeded from  the Port of Liverpool for Canada. The File does indicate that he was taken-on-strength with No. 3 Military District, in Kingston on May 21^st, 1919.

Gunner John Irwin Chittick was discharged from the Canadian Expeditionary Force on May 31^st, 1919 at No. 3 District Depot (Kingston, Ontario).

The Military File indicates that Gunner John Irwin Chittick was eligible to receive the Canadian Expeditionary Force Class A War Service Badge. The File does not mention what other Medals or Decorations that he was eligible to receive; but based on established Military criteria, it is believed that he would have been eligible to receive the:  1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

According to the Military File, Gunner John Irwin Chittick served a total of 4 years, 8 months, and 6  days with the Canadian Expeditionary Force: approximately 1 month in Canada; 11 months in the U.K. Counting leaves, and 3 years, 7 months, and 16 days 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 honourable”.

John Irwin Chittick 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.

PERSONAL HISTORY

JOHN IRWIN CHITTICK

John Irwin Chittick was born in Smith Township on October 12, 1892, son of John “Jack” Irwin Chittick and Sarah Waram.  He received his education in Smith Township and worked as a rancher.  In September 1914 John Chittick enlisted at Valcartier, Quebec to serve his King and Country.

John Irwin Chittick returned from the war and was discharged May 31, 1919 at Kingston, Ontario.  He passed away April 11, 1981 and is buried in Lakefield Cemetery.  (Interesting to note that John’s original birth record and the 1901 Ontario Census indicate his date of birth as October 12th; however the family tombstone has his birth date as October 11th.)

John Irwin Chittick 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.

FAMILY HISTORY OF JOHN IRWIN CHITTICK

John Irwin Chittick’s paternal grandparents were Fanny and James Chittick.  They resided in Smith Township and had at least three children – Robert, Frances and John “Jack” Chittick.

John Irwin Chittick’s maternal grandparents were Mary and Richard Waram.  Richard was born in England in 1818 and Mary was born in 1830.  They were married on March 26, 1855 and made their home in Smith Township.  They had a family of at least four children – Sarah, twins Richard and Thomas and Emma Waram.  Richard passed away on December 24, 1898 and Mary died February 3, 1903; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.

John Irwin Chittick’s parents were John ‘Jack’ Irwin Chittick born on May 25, 1864 in Bobcaygeon, Ontario and Sarah Waram born May 15, 1865.   They married in Smith Township on November 24, 1885 and made their home at Lot 19 Concession 8 in Smith Township where Jack worked as a cheesemaker.  They had a family of five children – Bertha M., John Irwin, Robert Clare, Richard James Waram and Robert Irwin Chittick.  Sadly Jack Chittick was killed on June 19, 1917 while working at the cheese factory making cheese when the boiler exploded. Sarah passed away on July 18, 1949; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.