MILITARY HISTORY

Private William Henry Dainton – 113162 – ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

On August 30, 1915 William Henry Dainton completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Army, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He was 28 years, 11 months and 21 days old when, as a married man, he enlisted for the duration of the War plus 6 months after. William Henry was born in London, England, and gave his birth-date as September 8, 1886. On his Attestation Paper, William Henry indicated that he did not belong to an Active Militia nor any Military Force. Additional data via Ancestry.ca indicated that William Dainton, 6, was admitted to the Saunders Road School in Hammersmith and Fulham, London, England on February 19, 1894 by his father Arthur Dainton where he was educated. As far as employment is concerned, he lists Farm Labourer. William Henry was 5′ 3” tall, 35″ chest (expanded); his weight is not listed. He had a fair complexion, with blue eyes and light brown hair. William Henry’s Medical Examination was completed by Dr. D.E. Bell in Peterborough, Ontario on August 30, 1915 and scars on the back of his legs were noted. He was deemed fit for Overseas duty with the Canadian Army. His next-of-kin was listed as his wife, Mrs. Mary Jane Dainton, of Keene, Ontario. William Henry Dainton signed the Oath and Certificate of Attestation August 30, 1915, in Peterborough. The Certificate of Magistrate was signed by the Justice on August 30, 1915. Although only sparse notes were found, it seems that William Henry Dainton was taken-on-strength, as a Gunner (Gnr), with the 33rd Battery (9th Bde), Canadian Field Artillery (CFA), in Peterborough and was assigned Regimental Number 300412. October 1, 1915 he was transferred to the 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles (CMR), then Gnr Dainton spent October 1915 with the 8th CMR. In October 1915 Private Dainton assigned $25.00 monthly to his wife Mary Jane; then on November 19, 1915 he made a monthly Separation Allowance of $20.00 monthly to his wife Mary Jane. He would have been taken-on-strength, as a Private (Pte), with the 8th Regiment, CMR, in Peterborough and was assigned Regimental Number 113162.

The 8th Regiment, CMR was authorized August 6, 1914 and mobilization was authorized December 1, 1914 and mobilized at Ottawa, Military District No 3. The Regiment was recruited by A Squadron in Ottawa, B Squadron in Peterborough and C Squadron in Toronto. On July 23, 1915 Pte Dainton is shown with the B Squadron, 8th Regiment, CMR which came from the 57th Regiment. Pte Dainton embarked from Halifax October 9, 1915 aboard the SS Missanabie, disembarking in England on October 19, 1915. On November 5, 1915 Pte Dainton was present on a Muster Parade at Bramshott (Camp), England.

On January 28, 1916 he was shown as transferred for Overseas Service, from the 8th Regiment CMR, and embarked with the 8th Infantry Brigade for France. The 8th Regiment, CMR was absorbed January 28, 29, 1916 into the 4th Battalion (Bn), CMR and the 39th Battalion (Bn).

On January 29, 1916 Pte Dainton disembarked at Le Havre, France and was taken-on-strength to the 4th Battalion (Bn), CMR at the Canadian Base Depot (CBD) attached to the 8th Infantry Brigade at Bramshott; part of the 3rd Canadian Division. Also, on January 29, 1916 the latest address for Pte Dainton’s son, William Henry Dainton was given as: c/o the Children’s Aid Society; Peterborough, Ontario.On February 7, 1916 Pte Dainton departed from the CBD to join the 4th Bn, CMR in the Field. February 10, 1916 he rejoined his Unit in the Field.

It was reported on June 6, 1916 that Private William Henry Dainton had been killed in action. The actual date of his demise was May 27, 1916.

There are no entries in Pte Dainton’s Military File for the four months from February 10, 1916 to June 6, 1916; as such the War Diary of the 4th Bn CMR was used. Examination of the pertinent dates did not yield any data. Private William Henry Dainton is interred in the Poperinghe New Military Cemetery 10.5 Km west of leper town centre, in the town of Poperinghe itself.

Private William Henry Dainton served with the Canadian Army a total of about 9 months: about 1 month and 9 days in Canada; about 3 months in the UK; about 4 months and in France and about 11 days travel time.

There is no mention in Private William Henry Dainton’s File with regards to what Military Medals that 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.

War Service Gratuity — Pensioner Deceased $116.00 January 26, 1920
Pension paid to Mr. G. W. Powell, Secretary Children’s Aid Society, Peterborough Ontario, to be administered on behalf of the Dainton children from date of death of mother, at orphan’s rate.

Private William Henry Dainton’s Medals, decorations, Plaque, Scroll and Silver Cross were dispatched on October 27, 1920 to: Mrs. M. J. Dainton
c/o J. P. MacFarlane, Esq
543 Water St.
Peterborough, Ontario
His mother received a Silver Cross dispatched on October 27, 1920 to:
Mrs. Keefe
26 Norland Gardens
Norland Road
London, England

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

WILLIAM HENRY DAINTON

William Henry Dainton born September 8, 1886 in London England; son of Arthur William Dainton & Helen Elizabeth Wilson. In 1901 William Henry worked as a Farm Labourer.

According to the 1911 Census William Henry Dainton and his brother Frederick Arthur immigrated to Canada in 1906.

William Henry Dainton, 21, a bachelor living in Otonabee Township, son of Arthur Dainton and Helen Carey married Mary Jane Wood, 24, a spinster living in Otonabee Township, daughter of Ruben Wood (mother not given) on January 29, 1908 in Otonabee Township. The wedding ceremony was performed by Rev. W. D. Harrison by License. In 1911 William Henry and Mary Jane were living in Otonabee Township. William Henry and Mary Jane had five children: Amy; William Henry (Jr), born March 3, 1909; Charles Leonard, born December 4, 1910; Clara May born September 27, 1812 and May Helen born April 18, 1914.

William Henry Dainton was killed-in-action in on May 27, 1916; his brother Frederick Arthur joined the same Unit in WW I. Mary Jane Dainton, a 40 year old Widow, died on January 26, 1920 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The primary cause for her death was Influenza; a contributory factor was Pneumonia. The two children were looked after by the Children’s Aid Society, Peterborough Ontario and funded by William Henry Dainton’s Pension. (see William Henry Dainton’s Military History)

THE WILLIAM HENRY DAINTON FAMILY OF OTONABEE TOWNSHIP

William Henry Dainton’s parents are Arthur William Dainton born in 1854 & Helen Elizabeth Wilson born in 1877. They lived in Kensington, London England. Arthur and Helen had five children: Ellen “Helen” born in 1877; Edith Alice born in 1880; Florence Dainton born in 1882; Frederick Arthur Dainton, born January 18, 1884 in Kensington, London, England and William Henry Dainton, born September 8, 1886 in London, England. Arthur William Dainton died in 1887 leaving Helen with a small family.