775782 Pte. Samuel Heyes was born on July 26th, 1872, in Heywood, Lancashire, England.


Married to Mary Thwaites and living in Toronto, Samuel, a floor cleaner by trade, attested into the 126th (Peel) Battalion in Toronto on January 15th, 1916.


With previous military service with the Highland Light Infantry in the UK, and after training, Samuel found himself on the Empress of Britain bound for the the UK on August 24th, 1916.


With subsequent movements through the 109th (Victoria and Haliburton) Battalion, the CCAC, the 124th (Governor General's Body Guard) Battalion, CASC and CORD, Samuel was transferred to the 4th CMR on June 30th, 1917. This period for the 4th CMR was of working parties and consolidation works after involvement in the attacks on Vimy Ridge. The regiment was not back in active front line action until late August, when they took over the line from the 5th CMR near Loos.


In December 1917, Samuel was admitted to CFAmb1, and following a long period of investigations, during which time he worked as a hut orderly back at Bramshott in the UK, and contracted flu, Samuel was unable to return to active service.


Struck off strength to Canada on November 22nd, 1918, Samuel was finally discharged as medically unfit on January 6th, 1919 - some two months before fellow 4th CMR colleagues.




The above details and images credit with thanks to Darell Zinck.