Saturday 1 December 2012

Private Frederick Charles Airey

Born on 29 October 1886 in London, England - son of Edward George Airey and Mary Johns - husband of Ethel Nina Marsh Airey, Toronto, Ontario - father of Frederick Watson Airey - next of kin, Mrs. Edgar Locey [sp?], sister, Cornwall, Ontario - attestation form states trade as electrician, single, not currently a member of the military, served one year as a bugler with the 59th Stormont and Glengarry Regiment, height of 5 feet 6 inches, chest of 41 inches, ruddy complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, Church of England.

Joined the 59th Canadian Infantry Battalion - transferred to the 38th Battalion on 3 or 7 June 1915 (number 410232) - served with the battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France with the battalion on 13 August 1916 - killed in action on 18 November 1916, age 31 - name inscribed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Airey's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that I took in August 2012).

(My thanks to Frederick S. Airey for the additional family information).

(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; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Frederick Charles Airey and Ethel had one son Frederick Watson Airey who served in the Second World War RCAF Transport Command, later married Doryne Burgess and they had two children Frederick Stephen and Judith Lynn. Doryne resides in Millbrooke ON age 92. Frederick, 64 lives with his wife Jillian Rose in Alvinston ON and Judy, 59 lives with her husband Allan in Peterborough ON. There are