Born on 13 December 1880 in Montrose, [???] - son of Margaret Renton, Romiley, Cheshire, England - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as storekeeper and construction worker; married; no current or previous military service; Presbyterian; height of 5 feet 6 inches; chest of 36 inches fully expanded; dark complexion; brown eyes; brown hair.
Joined the 77th Battalion, CEF, in Smiths Falls, Ontario, on 1 July 1915 (number 144476) - departed Canada for overseas on 19 June 1916 - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, in England on 6 July 1916 - landed in France with the 38th Battalion on 13 August 1916 - injured accidentally on 17 November 1918 - struck off the strength of the 38th Battalion on 31 December 1918 - repatriated to Canada on 26 March 1919.
Awarded the Military Medal - official citation: "For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the night of October 30th, 1917, during operations before Passchendaele. While accompanying the Battalion Pack Train with rations they came under very heavy shell fire and suffered a number of casualties both from the heavy enemy shelling and from gas. He assisted in the re-organization of the ration party and by his initiative and bravery undoubtedly did much toward getting them through with a minimum of casualties. He set a very fine example of personal courage and devotion to duty." - unit recommendation dated 6 November 1917: "This N.C.O. showed great devotion to duty as C.Q.M.S. on night of Oct. 30/17 and displayed splendid qualities of leadership when the pack train, on its way to B.H.Q. was being heavily shelled. Again on Oct. 31st after the first attempt had failed he made the 2nd attempt and got through with the rations."
(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Anonymous, An Historical Sketch of the Seventy-Seventh Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force (Ottawa: War Publications Limited, 1926), p.137; Canadian War Museum, 19680229-001, Manu 58C 1 2.18, Honours and Awards, 38th Battalion (Records of recommendations for honours and awards and mentioned in dispatches 19161121 19190117))
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