Charles E Cornwall

Charles Edward Cornwall, (Private, 5th Coy, Canadian Machine Gun Corps, 2nd Canadian Division, Canadian Expeditionary Force) was born on December 4, 1894 in Oakville, Ontario. His parents were George Alexander and Adeline Louise. He had an older brother Leonard, and older sister Margaret and a younger sister Emily. The Cornwall's address was listed as Box 359 in Oakville, and they belonged to the Church of England. After Charles finished school, he worked as a bank clerk for a few years up until two months before enlisting in the war, during which time he worked for his father who was a tinsmith. He enlisted on January 31, 1916 with the 120th City of Hamilton Battalion. He was 21 years old and had no previous military experience. His medical examination had taken place on January 27th, 1916, where he was deemed fit by the medical examiner. It was recorded that Charles had a ruddy complexion, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was 5 feet 7 inches and weighed 150 lbs. His distinctive marks were adark mole on the middle back of his right forearm and a scar 1 1/4" along the outer corner of his right eyebrow.

After the war , Charles most likely would have continued working as a bank clerk or for his father if he wanted to. He probably would have been interested in searching for a wife and starting a family, as he was listed as single on his attestation papers.

His war biography leading up to his death is found in the image selection below or this link to Canada's Veterans Affairs Ministry: http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtu...

Charles Edward Cornwall, Private 5th Coy, Canadian Machine Gun Corps 2nd Canadian Division Canadian Expeditionary Force

Charles Edward Cornwall was only 19 years old when WWI began. He was enjoying life in Oakville, working as a bank clerk. Like many other young men, he enlisted in the war. He would never return back to Oakville, his family, and the life he once had…

Personal Information: Charles Edward Cornwall was born on December 4, 1894 in Oakville Ontario. His parents were George Alexander and Adaline Louise. He had an older brother Leonard, an older sister Margaret and a younger sister Emily. The Cornwall’s address was listed as Box 359 in Oakville, and they belonged to the Church of England. After Charles finished school, he worked as a bank clerk for a few years up until two months before enlisting in the war, during which time he worked for his father who was a tinsmith. He enlisted on January 31, 1916 with the 120th City of Hamilton Battalion. He was 21 years old and had no previous military experience. His medical examination had taken place on January 27th, 1916, where he was deemed fit by the medical examiner. It was recorded that Charles had a ruddy complexion, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was 5 feet 7 inches and weighed 150 lbs. His distinctive marks were a dark mole on the middle back of his right forearm and a scar 1 ¼" along the outer corner of his right eyebrow.

After the war, Charles most likely would have continued working as a bank clerk or for his father if he wanted to. He probably would have been interested in searching for a wife and starting a family, as he was listed as single on his attestation papers.

Military Movements: Charles Edward Cornwall enlisted with the 120th City of Hamilton Battalion on January 31, 1916. He embarked on the Empress of Britain from Halifax, Nova Scotia on August 14th, 1916. On August 23, he arrived in England. His regimental number was 757728. On November 29, 1916, Charles was transferred to the Canadian Machine Gun Depot. The training centre depot for the Canadian Machine Gun Corps was located in Belton Park in England and the overall base depot was at Camiers in France. On April 18, 1917, he was transferred to the Machine Gun Pool, arriving there two days later and being taken on strength with the Machine Gun Pool. Charles was struck off strength with the Machine Gun Coy on April 27 at the field. On April 28, he was taken on strength with the 5th Machine Gun Coy. The next day, he officially joined the 5th Canadian Machine Gun Coy. Men in the Machine Gun Corps were specialists trained in the use of machine guns. While serving in the 5th Coy, Charles was a Private. On Friday November 30, 1917, Charles was killed in action at the age of 23.

The Final Days: On November 1, 1917, the 5th Canadian Machine Gun Coy completed physical training, a squad drill and a route march. At 11:45a.m., the next day, the company left and arrived at Caestre. They then travelled by train to the asylum at Ypres. Upon arrival, they were trained and marched to take over the lines of the 16th Canadian Machine Gun Coy; camp was set up there.

From November 3 through November 5, enemy shelling was very severe. Many SOS calls were made. The 5th Canadian Machine Gun Coy opened fire on the lines. The enemy fired in and 40 about the transport lines. During a heavy barrage no direct hits were made on the trench occupied by the barrage guns. Shots were also fired on the Passchendaele cross roads.

On November 6, the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions attacked and captured Passchendaele. The 26th Canadian Infantry Battalion of the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade attacked on the right and the enemy fire was intense, continuing throughout the day. The barrage guns responded to three SOS calls. From 5 PM to midnight enemy artillery fire was very heavy. The “B” section on the right was heavily shelled but escaped casualties until 3 PM when the right position was practically destroyed.

Heavy enemy shelling continued for the next few days. On November 8th, the relieving crews were caught in an enemy barrage and the two guns of the “C” section were destroyed. Relief was completed by 6p.m. and the “B” section moved back to the transport lines. The next day, the “D” section was ordered to move forward a thousand yards and take up new battery positions.

On November 10, the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 2nd Canadian Division, in conjunction with 1st Canadian Division and the 1st Imperial Division, under cover of an intense barrage, attacked the enemy’s position. The 1st and 2nd Canadian Division gained all their objectives while the 1st Imperial Division on the left was held up. Rain fell during the afternoon and positions were nearly washed away.

The next day, the 16th Canadian Machine Gun Coy moved into the transport lines of the 5th Canadian Machine Gun Coy. The 2nd Canadian Division was relieved by the 4th Canadian Division. The 5th Canadian Machine Gun Coy proceeded by train to Brandhoek, where they detrained and marched to the tents at the camp. The next day they left and arrived at St. Floris at 4:30p.m. On November 14, they left at 9:30a.m., for Lapougnay. Once arriving at 3:00p.m., the sections cleaned their guns. One day later, they left for Maisnil Bouche, where they trained and cleaned their guns once again.

On November 18, orders were received to move to Aux Rietz. The camp was in bad condition, as it was very dirty and the dug‐outs were falling down. The next day, the company was put in small working parties to re‐build the dug‐out and get the camp in good condition. All guns and equipment were inspected the following day. Over the next few days, the company took part in routine physical training, squad drills and even lectures, such as one on “Discipline and the Army Acts”. On November 24, the company paraded for Christmas pay.

On November 30, 1917, the “B” section came under enemy artillery fire and two teams were put out of action. Five men were seriously wounded and two were killed instantly, one being Charles Edward Cornwall.

Medical Records: There are no medical records available for Charles Edward Cornwall. He was killed in action in France on November 30, 1917, after a section of the 5th Canadian Machine Gun Coy came under enemy artillery fire.

Lest We Forget: Charles Edward Cornwall died at the young age of 23. His next of kin was his father, George. In his will, Charles left his real estate and private estate to his mother, Ada. His mother and father both received a plaque and scroll for Charles’ service in the war. Charles also earned the Memorial Cross, which was given to his mother.

Charles Edward Cornwall is buried at La Targette British Cemetery in Neuville‐St Vaast, Pas de Calais, France. The cemetery first began at the end of April 1917 and was formerly known as Aux‐Rietz Military Cemetery because it lies in the western angle of the cross roads at Aux‐Rietz. It was used by field ambulances and fighting units until September 1918. La Targette British Cemetery contains 638 First World War burials.

Canada’s Contribution to the War Effort: At the time of Charles Edward Cornwall’s death, Canada was making a great contribution to the war effort. Canada helped capture Passchendaele in November, 1917, during which time it suffered 15,000 casualties. As well, during April 1917 (when Charles Edward Cornwall was serving in the war), the Canadians fought at Vimy Ridge. This was a major victory for Canada as a country. The success won Canada recognition as a nation and proved its capability in the war effort. Besides sending soldiers to fight in the war, Canada made other contributions as well. They provided a great deal of supplies to the troops including food, weapons and medical equipment.

Conclusion: Charles Edward Cornwall’s life was cut short at only 23 years old. The war destroyed his hopes and dreams of growing old and living a happy life. He never got the chance to settle down and start a family. I feel like I can relate to Charles. We grew up in the same town and went to the same school. He experienced some of the same things that I have. However, when the war began his whole life changed. Charles was very young when he enlisted in the war. He wanted to make his family and country proud by serving overseas. He probably thought he would come back a hero after the war. Although he did not return to Oakville, he will always be remembered as a hero. Through his service in the Canadian Machine Gun Corps, Charles helped make Canada a better and safer place. The bravery he displayed and sacrifices he made prove him to be a true Canadian hero and it is important that we do not forget this. Lest we forget the soldiers that lost their lives in the war, including Charles Edward Cornwall. The hardships they faced and the bravery they showed deserve to be remembered. Let us not forget the names and stories of those who have helped make our country a better place. I thank all of the Canadian soldiers that served in the war. I will be forever grateful for their service. I am sorry for those who did not get to return home and for whose lives were taken away far too soon.

Written by Melissa, Oakville Trafalgar High School Source: http://www.ontarioveteranarchive.ca/Search-Stories/ApprovedSubmissi...