838714 Cpl. Eby Goheen was born on February 5th, 1897, in Dundalk, Ontario. His mother, Susan, being widowed, subsequently married Alexander Vanalstine.
Eby was working as a farmer when hostilities broke out. He attested into the 147th (Grey) Battalion in Owen Sound on January 24th, 1916, and was probably billeted in Markdale over the winter. The unit centralized in Owen Sound in May just prior to their departure for Camp Niagara later that month.
As the conditions in the Camp were wanting the unit moved to the new training facility of Camp Borden in late June. In September the unit received their orders to proceed overseas, but due to an outbreak of diphtheria they were detained in Amherst, Nova Scotia, for over a month. The unit finally sailed from Halifax, for Great Britain, on the S.S. Olympic, on November 14th, 1916.
On January 1st, 1917, the 147th Battalion ceased to exist when it became the nucleus for the 8th Reserve Battalion, whose task it was to supply reinforcements to the 58th Battalion and the 4th C.M.R. Eby was taken on strength of the 4th C.M.R. on February 7th, 1917, during the buildup for the Battle of Arras, which saw the Canadian Corps storm Vimy Ridge.
Serving with the unit through the battles at Vimy, Hill 70 and Passchendaele, Eby came through it all physically unscathed. Promoted to Corporal in April of 1918 he was sent on a Lewis Gun course in June and then having been recommended for his commission he was sent to England for Officer training.
Graduating his course Eby received his commission and after being taken off strength of the 4th C.M.R. as Corporal, he was posted to the 3rd Reserve Battalion as Lieutenant, where he served until the armistice was signed.
Lieutenant Eby Goheen was struck off strength of the C.E.F. on February 1st, 1919.
Credit and many thanks go George Auer for the above biography.