
Name
Private Charles Arthur Reed
Service Record 1
Regimental Number
651593
Highest Rank
Private
Conflict
Battalion
Company
Enlisted
Enlistment Date
1916-01-31
Discharge Date
1918-03-28
Service Record 2
Regimental Number
651593
Highest Rank
Private
Conflict
Battalion
Enlistment Date
1918-03-28
Wounded Date
1918-10-10
Wounds
Gunshot wound to right hand
Wounded Where
Valenciennes, France
Discharge Date
1919-03-22
Discharge Cause
Demobilizaton
Artefacts, Photographs & Resources
Visit the Online Collections of the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre through the link below, for more information and artefacts related to this soldier.
Online Collections Link
Notes
Charlie was the son of Arthur and Bella Reed of Eden Grove. He enlisted in the 160th Bruce Battalion, and then, along with most of the 160th, joined the 18th Battalion. In France, he was a runner for headquarters staff. He carried messages under fire during the fighting at Amiens, Arras and Cambrai. On October 10, 1918, he was attempting to deliver a message to an advance company which had gone over the top, when he was hit by gun fire from a sniper, striking his hand and going clear through his finger. As he lay perfectly still, the German, after firing another shot, left him for dead. Charlie afterwards crawled on and, in spite of his wounded hand, succeeded in delivering the message. He was recommended for a Military Medal, but never received one. On going to the hospital, Charlie contracted the flu and trench fever and never got back to the lines again. Charlie was known as the Rawleigh man around home, being on the road for that firm for over two years before enlisting. He returned home to help his father (who had moved) on their farm, 2 miles southeast of Fergus.Sources & Links
a) James, F. Treve and Thomas Johnston, eds. “Bruce in Khaki containing a History of the 160th Overseas Bruce Battalion and Complete Nominal Roll of all Men who were at any Time on the Strength of the Battalion.” Chesley: James and Johnston, 1934. Prib) Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Command. “Military service recognition book, volume IV.” Fenety Marketing, 2017. Print.
- Library & Archives Canada
News Clippings

Witley Culmer Corner postcard, front

Oct. 1, 1917 postcard, front

Feb. 4, 1917 postcard, front

Feb. 4, 1917 postcard, back

Oct. 1, 1917 postcard, back

Field service card

Nov. 5, 1916 postcard, front

Hollycomb House postcard, back

The Red Lion postcard, front

Hollycomb House postcard, front

Sept. 12, 1916 postcard, front

Sept. 12, 1916 postcard, back

Nov. 11, 1915 postcard, front

May 24, 1918 postcard, back

May 24, 1918 postcard, front

Red Lion postcard, back

Dec. 10, 1916 postcard, back

Nov. 5, 1917 postcard, back

Nov. 5, 1916 Darling postcard, front

Nov. 5, 1916 Frith Hill postcard, front

Badges and Pins

Charles Reed

Dec. 10, 1916 postcard front

Nov. 5, 1916 Darling postcard, back

Witley Culmer Corner postcard, back

Nov. 5, 1916 postcard, back

Charles A. Reed, at Bramshott Camp

Discharge Certificate, 1919

Letter to mother, p. 1

Letter to mother, p. 2

Charles Reed, 1915

Jan. 25, 1917 postcard, back

Jan. 25, 1917 postcard, front

Nov. 11, 1916 postcard, back

Ed Zimmerman, Charles Reed, and two girls from Glasgow postcard, Nov. 11, 1916

Charles Reed and unknown soldier

160th Battalion Enlistment Card

Paisley Advocate – April 9, 1919