MILITARY HISTORY

Private Clayton Francis Montgomery — 195156 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

On October 6, 1915, Clayton Francis Montgomery completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Army, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He was 24 years, 5 months and 10 days old, when as a single man he enlisted in Peterborough, Ontario for the duration of the War. Clayton Francis was born in the Township of Harvey, Peterborough County and gave his birth-date as April 26, 1891*. On his Attestation Paper, he indicated “he had never served with a Militia Force” nor any other Military Force. There is nothing in his Records to indicate where he was educated or to what level. As far as employment is concerned, he lists Labourer. Clayton Francis had a dark complexion, brown eyes and brown hair; he was 5′ 6” tall, with a 36” chest (expanded) and weighed 145 pounds. His next-of-kin was listed as his sister (both parents were dead), Miss Beatrice Montgomery of Hall’s Bridge, Ontario (now known as “Buckhorn”. His medical examination indicated that he has a “girl” tattooed on his left forearm. Pte Montgomery was deemed fit for Overseas duty with the Canadian Army on September 22, 1915 in Peterborough. Clayton Francis Montgomery signed the Oath and Certificate October 6, 1915, at Peterborough and was taken-on-strength to the 93rd Battalion (Bn) as a Private (Pte) with Regimental Number 195156. *The correct date is April 20, 1889.

Pte Montgomery’s Military Records do not have any documentation that covers the period of time from October 6, 1915 to July 15, 1916. This 9 month, 9 day period would have been used to complete Basic and Advanced Training, probably in the Peterborough area. The main goal was to form the men into Units and ship them off to England as quickly as possible where their training would be completed. Pte Montgomery embarked, from Halifax, Nova Scotia for England on July 15, 1916 aboard the SS Empress of Britain. He disembarked at Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916 with the 93rd Bn, CEF.

Although not recorded in his documents, the next 43 days would have been employed in training until embarking the UK for France.

September 7, 1916 Pte Montgomery was struck-off-strength from the 93rd Bn, CEF on transfer to the 5th Battalion (Bn), Canadian Mounted Rifles (CMR) at Otterpool, England. September 8, 1916 he was embarked to France (no ship was mentioned) and was taken-on-strength, in the Field, with the 5th Bn, CMR. The following 8 months does not have any documentation that covers this period of time. Pte Montgomery would have been employed on the Front-Line and doing assigned duties. The next entry has Pte Montgomery being admitted to the No 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne, France on May 3, 1917. He was diagnosed as having Pyrexia – an unknown origin of fever and was discharged on May 6, 1917.

On April 6, 1918, while at Vimy, France, Pte Montgomery was cleaning bombs in his trench. This required him to remove the detonator; for additional information on the outcome of his efforts, see the following Statement for details.

Copy of Written Statement prepared and signed by Pte R. E. Lawrence

ACCIDENTAL INJURY BY
PTE. MONTGOMERY C. 6/4/18

Statement by #709780
Pte. LAWRENCE, R. E.

I was sitting in the Firebay where Pte Montgomery was cleaning bombs. He had
taken the detonator out of a mitt of 5 and was replacing it when the detonator exploded
severely injuring his right hand. He ran down the trench, I followed and a stretcher-bearer
met us in the Communication Trench and bandaged his hand.

Signed: Pte R. E. Lawrence Stamped: 27 APRIL 1918

CANADIAN STATION

April 7, 1918 Miss Beatrice (sister) Montgomery’s address is changed to: 556 College St., Toronto; the same day Pte Montgomery was admitted to the No 6 Casualty Clearing Station with a right hand bomb injury. It was also stated that he was accidentally wounded in the Field, while with the 5th Bn, CMR. Pte Montgomery’s accidental wounding was reported to the Québec Regiment (QR). On April 16, 1918 Pte Montgomery was struck-off-strength from the 5th Bn, CMR in the Field and taken-on-strength with the Québec Regiment Depot (QRD) at Bramshott. The QRD is a facility in England used to assemble men and to store and administer equipment and materials. Also on April 16, 1918 Pte Montgomery was admitted to the Northans War Hospital at Northampton, England. July 3, 1918 Pte Montgomery is admitted to the Military Convalescent Hospital at Northampton Epsom, Northans.

July 11, 1918 Pte Montgomery lost about half of his 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th fingers of his right hand. The 2nd finger is slightly stiff but improving naturally. He would spend most of the remainder of his time in England on some recovery from his severe wounds.

On September 2, 1918 Pte Montgomery was attached to the No 2 Canadian Convalescent Depot (CCD). September 12, 1918 he was admitted to No 2 CCD at Bramshott. October 17, 1918 he ceases to be attached to No 2 CCD and returns to QRD. November 12, 1918 Pte Montgomery is placed On-Command to the Canadian Discharge Depot (CDD). The Canadian Discharge Depot is a centre in Canada where soldiers returning from War were released from service. November 13, 1918 Pte Montgomery is attached to No 2 CDD at Buxton, England for return to Canada. November 19, 1918 he embarked Liverpool, England aboard the SS Scandinavian and ceased to be attached to No 2 CDD at Buxton and is struck-off-strength from Canada (Overseas) to Canada (Active) [no suitable employment in England].

November 30, 1918 Pte Montgomery arrived at St. John, New Brunswick. On December 3, 1918 he was granted Leave with a Subsistence Allowance to December 16, 1918. December 7, 1918 Pte Montgomery is taken-on-strength with Casualty Company No 3 at Kingston, Ontario from Canada (Active).

January 7, 1919 Pte Montgomery received his Post Discharge Pay of $389.81 at No 3 Military District, Kinston. On January 8, 1919 Private Clayton Francis Montgomery was discharged from the Canadian Army as a Category “E” (Disability due to Service). He stated that he would be residing in Hall’s Bridge, Ontario.

Private Clayton Francis Montgomery served with the Canadian Army a total of 3 years, 3 months and 3 days: 9 months and 9 days in Canada; 1 month, 14 days in the UK; 2 years, 2 months and 11 days in France and 19 days travel time.

Based on his Military Service, Private Clayton Francis Montgomery would have been awarded the:
British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He was also awarded War Service Badge – CEF Class “B”

An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s magazine 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

CLAYTON FRANCIS MONTGOMERY

Clayton Francis Montgomery was born in Harvey Township, Peterborough County, Ontario on April 20, 1889 into a large family of 13 children, his parents are Hugh James Montgomery and Mary Jane Armstrong.
As a young child Clayton Francis lived on Nelson St. in Lakefield with his mother and father, as well as in the Buckhorn and Lakehurst regions of Harvey Township. Several of his siblings and their connections were more known in the Lakefield area.
On August 24, 1921 Clayton Francis Montgomery married Helen Rebecca Windsor, in Peterborough at the St., Andrew’s Manse. Helen was born in Burleigh Township on October 6, 1899, daughter of William John Windsor and Rebecca Patterson. Clayton and Helen had two sons, Donald Clayton Montgomery born on October 11, 1930 and William John Beeby Montgomery stillborn on August 18, 1935. Clayton and Helen were living in Burleigh Falls in 1935.
Clayton Francis was the lockmaster of several Lakefield area locks and father to Donald Montgomery. Clayton Francis was a brother to Emily Ann (Annie) wife of Thomas Junkin and mother to Thomas (went by “Tom”) and Kenneth (went by “Dick”) Junkin; she lived all her adult life in Lakefield. Clayton Francis was also brother to James David, the father of Arthur, and grandfather to Keith Montgomery; an excellent hockey player who lived in Lakefield. Harry Osborne, Clayton Francis younger brother also served in WW I. Harry Osborne Montgomery lost his life in WW I on April 26, 1915; he is interred in the New Irish Farm Cemetery, Leper, Ypres, Belgium.

Helen Rebecca died February 19, 1969 and Clayton Francis Montgomery died at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Peterborough, Ontario on September 26, 1970.

THE CLAYTON FRANCIS MONTGOMERY FAMILY OF HARVEY TOWNSHIP

Clayton Francis Montgomery’s paternal grandparents are William born in 1807 and Sarah McMillan born in 1810. They resided in Smith Township. William passed away August 3, 1870 and Sarah died February 21, 1888; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery. His maternal grandparents are James and Lizzie Armstrong.

Clayton Francis Montgomery’s parents are Hugh James Montgomery, born about 1834 in Ontario and Mary Jane Armstrong, born January 27, 1850 in Québec. They were married in Peterborough on January 6, 1866. Hugh James and Mary Jane farmed in Smith and Harvey Townships and had 13 children, all born in Ontario: Walter, born about 1867, in 1891 he was a farm labourer; Augustus, born about 1869; James David, born May 6, 1870; Edward Nelson, born March 22, 1872 in Smith Township, he married Maud May Higgins in Peterborough on December 25, 1903; Myra Dollie, born about 1874; Angus M. and Elizabeth Maud, twins, born December 9, 1875 in Harvey Township; Emily Anne, born about April 1878; Beatrice, born August 31, 1880 in Smith Township; Cora J., born August 4, 1883; Susan Rose, born July 10, 1886 in Harvey Township; Clayton Francis, born April 20, 1889 in Harvey Township; and Harry Osborne, born February 26, 1892 in Harvey Township.

Hugh James Montgomery passed away on August 22, 1898. The 1901 Census shows Mary Jane, widowed, was in Harvey Township with three sons and two daughters: Edward Nelson; Cora J.; Susan Rose; Frances Clayton and Harry Osborne. In 1911 Mary was living in Lakefield with her daughter Myra and her husband John Hayes. Mary Jane passed away on May 28, 1914 and is buried in Lakefield Cemetery with her husband.