A First War Pair to Private Cramb; 3rd Infantry Battalion

 

Footnote: Sydney Cramb was born on June 8, 1894 in Dundee, Scotland, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cramb (later of Perthshire, Scotland). He initially enlisted as a Gunner (43841) with the Canadian Field Artillery at Montreal, Quebec, later signing his Attestation Paper on September 24, 1914 at Valcartier Camp, at the age of 18, stating that he was born on June 8, 1896 in Broughterford, England (the birth date off by two years and the location different than what he would state in June 1915), naming his next-of-kin as his brother, William Cramb of Manchester, England, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Student. Sometime between his signing at Valcartier Camp and his posting to the CEF Divisional Ammunition Column at West Down, North Camp, Salisbury Plain, it was noted that 43891 Gunner Cramb had been "Illegally Absent" from November 9, 1914. In a Court of Inquiry held at West Down, North Camp, Salisbury Plain on December 2, 1914, a report stated that "Driver Sydney Cramb has been absent without leave since Nov. 9th and is still absent. He was issued with (a) full kit but as far as I can tell there is nothing left. He deserted from the camp of the Divisional Ammunition Column at West Down North", signed "A. Weatherhead". In his official records, it was noted that "that Driver Cramb has been absent without leave for upwards of 21 days and that he is a deserter" and he was subsequently struck off strength effective December 2nd. Six months later, Cramb was back in Canada and re-enlisted, signing his Attestation Paper as a Private (457371) with the 60th Infantry Battalion "Victoria Rifles of Canada", on June 15, 1915 at Montreal, Quebec, at the age of 21, naming his next-of-kin as his brother, William Cramb of Manchester, England, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Farmer (possibly Farrier). He sailed August 27, 1915 aboard the S.S. Scandinavian, arriving in England shortly thereafter and was taken on strength by the 23rd Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe on September 6, 1915. Later that year, he forfeited three days' pay for being "absent" on November 6, 1915, followed by his admission to Tent Hospital at St. Martin's Plain eleven days later, on November 17, 1915, where he was diagnosed with "V.D.G." (venereal disease, gonorrhea). After ten days treatment at St. Martin's Plain, he was transferred to the Military Workhouse Hospital at Newcastle upon Tyne on the 24th, then discharged to his unit on the 27th. Early in 1916, he forfeited one days' pay and received twenty-seven days' detention for being "absent", on January 27th. The following month, Privater Cramb was transferred to the 3rd Infantry Battalion for overseas service, on February 29, 1916. It is noted in his records that he also forfeited four days' pay and was awarded seven days Field Punishment No. 2, but it is undated. He arrived in France and was taken on strength in the field on March 2, 1916. Twelve days later, on March 14, 1916, he ran afoul of the authorities again and was sentenced to twenty-one days' Field Punishment No. 1, "For conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline" due to his "Carelessness with (a) rifle". However, he did proceed to his unit on the 14th and joined them on the 15th, before serving his sentence. Four months later, 457371 Private Sydney Cramb, 3rd Infantry Battalion was Killed in Action on July 9, 1916, at the age of 22, after a small operation, attempting to recover trench area on the crest of Mt. Sorrel that had been lost earlier in June. The attempt failed and the Germans subsequently shelled the area around Hill 60 in retaliation. He is buried in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, two kilometers east of the Ieper town centre in Belgium, his grave marker designating him as "CANADIAN PIONEERS". Private Cramb is commemorated on page 72 of the First World War Book of Remembrance and is credited with having served in Canada, England, France and Belgium. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His records indicate he was not eligible for the 1914-1915 Star. The First World War pair, along with his Memorial Plaque and Scroll were forwarded to his brother, William Cramb of Manchester, England.