Canada. A First War 1914-15 Star, to Sergeant Charles Henry Sutton, Royal Canadian Dragoons

(7 Sjt C.H. SUTTON. R. CAN: DNS:). Naming is officially impressed. Scuffing evident on the reverse but does not affect the naming, replacement ribbon, better than very fine.

Footnote: Charles Henry Sutton was born on March 12, 1879 in Richmond, Surrey, England and later immigrated to Canada. He began service with the Royal Canadian Dragoons as Henry Sutton on July 8, 1909. Sutton was a resident of Toronto, Ontario and confirmed in the rank of Sergeant as of September 22, 1914, when he signed his first Attestation Paper as a Sergeant (7) on September 24, 1914 at Camp Valcartier, at the age of 35, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Ina Dorothy Sutton of Toronto, stating that he had previous service with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, that he was Married, that his religion was Church of England and that his trade was that of Clerk. During his medical examination, the doctor noted that he had tattoo marks on both arms. The regiment had been placed on active service on August 6, 1914 for instructional and camp administration duties. On September 14, 1914, the regiment mobilized The Royal Canadian Dragoons, CEF, which embarked for England on October 3, 1914. Seven months after arriving in England and having received additional training, Sutton was employed as a Cook effective May 1, 1915, embarking for service in the French theatre on May 4th and disembarking in France on May 5th. The Royal Canadian Dragoons fought dismounted in an infantry role, as part of Seely's Detachment (really the Canadian Cavalry Brigade), 1st Canadian Division. On January 24, 1916, it remounted and resumed its cavalry role as part of the 1st Canadian Cavalry Brigade, with whom it would continue to fight in France and Flanders until the end of the war. Sutton re-enlisted for a further three years' service on July 8, 1915. Sergeant Sutton was with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, when he made a Statutory Declaration on June 19, 1916: "I Charles Henry Sutton, do solemnly and sincerely declare that I was enlisted on the 8th July 1909 under the name of Henry Sutton, which name I now declare to be incorrect. The name of Charles Henry Sutton, I now declare to be my true name, and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of an act made and passed in the sixth year of the reign of King William the fourth, Chap. 62 entitled the Statutory Declarations Act, 1835". Twenty-six months after arriving in the French theatre, in July 1917, while on duty in France, he developed a case of Bronchitis, which became worse upon further exposure and dampness. He was admitted to No. 12 Stationary Hospital at St. Pol on July 25, 1917, diagnosed with "P.U.O. mild" (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin = fever). 

 

Two weeks later, he was transferred and admitted to No. 10 General Hospital at Rouen on August 7th, at which point his condition was determined to be serious enough to warrant his invaliding to England. Upon arrival in England, he was admitted to the Bath War Hospital on August 13th, where his Bronchitis had developed into "Pleurisy severe". After almost six weeks' treatment at Bath, he was transferred and admitted to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Bear Wood, Wokingham, Berkshire, on September 22, 1917. In a Proceedings of a Medical Board Report, dated October 10, 1917 at Bear Wood, his Pleurisy was addressed: "General condition only fair. Feels weak and tires easily on exertion, heart rapid. Slight pain in left chest, coughing or deep inspiration. Has some cough. Is anemic, voice weak and husky." The doctors estimated that he would require an additional six months to recover from the malady and that he should return to Canada to aid in his recovery. After twenty-six days' treatment at Bear Wood, he was discharged on October 18th. Sergeant Sutton was placed on command at the 1st Canadian Convalescent Depot at Buxton on November 22, 1917, for return to Canada. He sailed from Liverpool, England aboard the troop ship S.S. Justicia on December 7, 1917 and was taken on strength at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto on December 19th. He was admitted to the Base Hospital in Toronto on January 14, 1918, where his condition was noted as "N.Y.D." (Not Yet Determined). An X-ray was done to determine the current state of his chest condition, the results proving "negative", with "no objective signs present". He was subsequently discharged to his unit, fit for duty, on January 23rd. In his Medical History of an Invalid Report, dated February 18, 1918 at Ravina Barracks in Toronto, the doctor stated that Sutton "Complains of pain (dull ache) in left side of chest. This is worse after walking or over exertion. No cough at present. Short of breath on exertion. Sleeps and eats well. Incapacity due to partial loss of function of lungs." Sergeant Sutton was declared by the Board to be designated as Category "C" (Fit for Home Service in Canada only). He was posted to the Depot Squadron, Royal Canadian Dragoons and was a resident of Toronto, when he signed his second Attestation Paper (7) on December 4, 1918 in Toronto, at the age of 39, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Ina Dorothy Sutton of Toronto, stating that he had nine and a half years' previous service with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, that he was with an Active Militia (R.C.D.), that he was Married, that his religion was Church of England and that his trade was that of Clerk. His medical condition was re-visited on April 30, 1919, the doctor noting during his examination that Sutton had "left France with bronchitis but no signs of anything since his return to Canada. Now only some emphysema, no symptoms". Sergeant Charles Henry Sutton was discharged upon demobilization at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, on April 30, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France. For his First World War service, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.