War diary for 7th Battalion CEF.

[Pyewacket]

Osmond Kidwell died 5th May 1916 at Ypres ... he was in the CEF 7th Battalion.

I am trying to find out what he was doing when he died, and where ... it was a stray shell which killed him and three other Canadians.

Is there still in existance a day to day war diary, say for that first week in May, leading up to his death ?

If so, can anyone tell me how I can see a copy of it please ?

Osmond was my uncle .. mothers brother.

If this should be on the WW1 board, please tell me !

[liverpool annie]

KIDWELL, OSMOND
Initials - O
Nationality - Canadian
Rank - Private
Regiment/Service - Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Unit Text - 7th Bn.
Age - 21
Date of Death - 05/05/1916
Service No - 429060
Additional information - Native of Colwich, Stafford. Went to Canada, 1910. Enlisted, Feb., 1915. Son of Mary Jane Kidwell, of 5, Victoria Rd., Stafford, England, and the late William Henry Kidwell.
Casualty Type - Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference - II. D. 2.
Cemetery - CHESTER FARM CEMETERY

7th Battalion (First British Columbia Regiment) was made up of these regiments

6th Regiment (The Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles)
11th Regiment (Irish Fusiliers of Canada)
88th Regiment (Victoria Fusiliers)
102nd Regiment (Rocky Mountain Rangers)
104th Regiment (Westminster Fusiliers of Canada)

And looking at his attestation papers ... it looks like he was with the 104th Regiment ( I believe it was militia before the war ! ) .... so you need to look for the war diaries of that regiment !

http://www.rootschat.com/links/04k1/

http://www.rootschat.com/links/04k2/

I'll keep looking !

Annie 

[liverpool annie]

Found this ... but it doesn't say too much I'm afraid !

http://www.rootschat.com/links/04k3/

http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001080339.jpg

[Tabbitha]

Id sent a PM in reply to your other thread,then found this

Great catch on the war diaries liverpool annie

[liverpool annie]

The Canadian Virtual War Memorial site doesn't seem to be working right now ... probably because it's the weekend and everybody is using it  .... but there is a post for your Osmond here !

http://www.rootschat.com/links/04k4/

Are you a relation too Tabbitha ?

Heres a picture of Chester Farm and Osmond is also mentioned here !

http://www.inmemories.com/Cemeteries/chesterfarm.htm



Annie 

[Pyewacket]

 Thank you so much for your very helpful reply to my latest request.  The info I had that there was'nt a battle going on, & that it was a stray shell which caught four men.  The theory being that the other men had time to bury all 4 men & put up their details on individual crosses.  My friend Lydart will post the photo that was sent to my grandmother at the time. This is the second time that a family rumour has been shot down by actual records. 
It was Lydart who put up the information for me about Osmond on the Virtual War Memorial Site.

[Tabbitha]

Nope,no relation, just like to help if/when I can

I know what its like trying to track facts down about family ancestors hehe.

[Lydart]

Here's the picture Pyewacket wanted me to post for her ... its of Osmonds grave plus three others ...

[liverpool annie]

Those old photos always seem so much more poignant somehow don't they ??

Thanks Lydart ! ... maybe we should look up the other soldiers too .... they've been pals together there for so long !

Annie