RMR’s First Casualty: Private Eaton

Saturday, February 27, 1915

In billets, Armentières  

The Battalion War Diarist wrote for this day: “Platoons in trenches again changed over.  Had first man wounded.  O.C., 2nd in Command, and Adjutant proceeded with Brigadier and Staff to H.Q. of Battns. near Fleurbaix whom the 3rd Bde. was shortly to relieve, to acquire information about line.”    [1]

27 Feb 15
Map of Fleurbaix Sector

THIS DAY IN RMR HISTORY: The Bn. history tells us this first casualty of the Battalion in the field was “Private R.C. Eaton of No. 1 Coy. who was wounded.”  [3]     No. 22995 Pte. Richard Carter Eaton, a native of Montreal, had enlisted with the 23rd Bn. at Valcartier on Sept 23, 1914, and then served briefly with the 12th Battalion before being transferred to the 14th Bn.

“Pte. Richard Carter Eaton (formerly 12th Battalion), admitted to No.13 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne; gun-shot wound, face; Next-of-kin, Mrs.Isabella Maria Eaton (mother), 32 Seymour Avenue, Montreal.” [4]

He was later deemed medically unfit on Nov 4th 1915 as a result of his wounds.

[1]    War Diary, 14th Canadian Battalion, The Royal Montreal Regiment, Feb 27, 1915.  Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001089695.jpg
[2]   http://digitalarchive.mcmaster.ca/islandora/object/macrepo%3A3940/-/collection
[3]   R.C. Featherstonhaugh, The Royal Montreal Regiment 14th Battalion C.E.F. 1914-1925, Montreal, The Gazette, Printing Co., Ltd., 1927, pg. 29.
[4]   The Montreal Daily Mail, Montreal, Quebec, Tuesday, March 16, 1915, pg. 2, col. 2.

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