Canadian Over-Sea’s Expeditionary Force
“The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was the entire overseas force fielded by Canada during the First World War.”
Enlistment
George Hough emigrated to Edmonton, Canada with his wife Lizzie and five children between 1912 -1913.
In February of 1915 George enlisted with the CEF and arrived in England with his unit the 51st Battalion on the 28th of April 1916 alongside 1054 other men of various ranks and 37 officers. In June of 1916 George was transferred to 7th Battalion.
7th Battalion saw their first major action at Ypres at the ‘Battle of Saint Julien’. Of the 924 Officers and men that went into battle, only 6 officers and 325 men ‘mustered for roll call’.
7th Battalions role in Ypres and holding the line along with the Canadian 1st division, marked the start of the enviable reputation that the Canadian troops would build throughout the war.
“The fighting for Saint Julien was fierce and the Battalion barely managed to escape capture when it was surrounded by the Germans.” – bcregiment.com
Hospitalised
George was moved to the Boulogne General Hospital for ‘Neuritus’.
Neuritis is inflammation of one or more nerves. It can be caused by injury, infection, or autoimmune disease. Neuritis symptoms usually display as pain, impaired sensation often with numbness or hypersensitivity. As well as impaired strength and reflexes.
George re-joined his unit 19 days later.
Leave
During the war George had a total of 24 days leave to the U.K.
Discharged
On the 26th March 1919 George was discharged.
George Hough spent a total of 24 months with 7th Battalion and 7 months with the C.F.C (Canadian Forestry Corps).
The C.E.F Regiment Battalions took part in every major engagement fought by the Canadian Corps during the War. They attached at the ‘Battle of Vimy Ridge’ in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, as well as playing a major role in the ‘Final 100 Days Campaign‘ that ultimately defeated the German Army in 1918.
Kinmel Camp
Before returning home to Canada George spent some time at Kinmel Camp in Wales.
This camp housed many Canadian Troops at the end of the war. Many of the troops put pressure on the Military to let them stay at the camp for a longer duration, reasons being that they had relatives and friends in Britain.
The Military succumbed and many had the chance to reunite with loved ones, a chance they would otherwise be unlikely to have had.
Perhaps George spent time with his family in Bamber Bridge, Preston before returning home to Canada?
George died aged 74 in Langley Prairie Canada in 1959.
Obituary
