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. Pri
b) Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Command. “Military service recognition book, volume IV.” Fenety Marketing, 2017. Print.
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