CLELLAND, PTE THOMAS LARRY Regimental #657802

 

Thomas Larry Clelland, was born May 9, 1895 son of James and Mary Matilda (Dobbs) Clelland in Croft Twp. near Maple Island.

He enlisted March 27, 1916 and served in England and France. He was discharged Feb. 11, 1919.

The 'tin hat' worn by Tom Clelland of Dunchurch. Note the crease made by an enemy bullet in the crown.

 Alex Clelland standing, Tom Clelland sitting.

 

Tom enlisted in the 162nd Battalion on March 27, 1916. He was transferred to 36th Battalion[1] Dec. 6, 1916. On February 17, 1917 Thomas was transferred to the 4th Battalion. It was when he was with the 4th Battalion that Tom was wounded April 28, 1917 in the aftermath of the Vimy Ridge attack.

 

On July 4, 1917 Tom was transferred to the 3rd Res. Battalion. He was returned to the 4th Battalion March 29, 1918.

 

Tom arrived back at the front with his unit on April 13, 1918. On October 5, 1918 he was reported missing in action – but, in fact he had been admitted to hospital on October 3, 1918. On October 9, 1918 he was hospitalized in Whitley.

 

A description of the injuries suffered in October 1918-which include gas burns:


 

 

 

 

[1] The 36th Battalion, CEF, was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The battalion was authorized on 7 November 1914, and recruited in Hamilton, Ontario and the surrounding district. The 36th Battalion embarked for Britain on 19 June 1915, where it provided reinforcements to the Canadian Corps in the field until 4 January 1917, when its personnel were absorbed by the 3rd Reserve Battalion, CEF. (Wikipedia)