Born on 14 June 1882 in Hardingstone, Northamptonshire, England - son of Emily May Alice English, Birmingham, England - at the time of his enlistment in 1914: trade as secretary, single, currently a member of the 1st Grenadier Guards of Canada (for two years), no previous military service, Church of England, height of 5 feet 9 inches, chest of 38 inches fully expanded, dark complexion, grey eyes, brown hair.
Joined the 14th Battalion, CEF, as a Temporary Captain in Valcartier, Quebec, on 21 September 1914 - landed in France with the 14th Battalion on 9 February 1915 - served with the 14th Battalion until 16 June 1915 - [returned to Canada] - joined the 148th Battalion, CEF, on 12 January 1916 - transferred to the 38th Battalion, CEF, as a major on 29 June or 27 December 1917 - wounded on 16 March 1918 - transferred to England for duty on 28 January 1919.
Awarded a Mention-in-Despatches - no citation - unit recommendation dated 2 March 1918: "Recommended for 'Mention' for valuable services rendered in the Field and for displaying a conspicuous devotion to duty."
3 comments:
I am searching for any information regarding Major Alfred Soden English. On your website of the 38th batallion, it says that he was mentioned in dispatches (or something of this nature) for valued services. Do you know what these services would have been? Is it possible that Major English was an official photographer for the 38th Batallion? Any information would be helpful.
I don't know what services LCol English performed to receive an MiD. The lack of a citation makes them difficult to decipher. I've also never seen anything to indicate he was used as a photographer in any way. If you haven't done so previously, you could always order his military personnel file through Library and Archives Canada at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=379750&interval=20&&PHPSESSID=cu36vhtvcv0698plpffaigtq27
He is photographed during Aug. 1917 operations at La Coulotte Brewery, Lens, alongside Lt. Col. Ralph H. Webb (attached at this time to the 38th from the 4th Div. Train, CASC) in Official photograph O-1787 available here: Mikan no. 3403864 on LAC's site.
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