A thin book containing 16 paper pages with information regarding Hart’s service, the exterior is a blue thick canvas material, front stamped OFFICER’S RECORD OF SERVICES ARMY BOOK, the reverse has a flap with a black button, two material flaps on the interior back page, measures 110.10mm (w) x 138.65mm (h), very fine condition; A parchment document appointing Hart to Officer in November 1914, dated October 15 1918, signed by the Major General, numbered 28705 in top righthand corner, measures 360mm (w) x 309mm (h), creased, edges lightly frayed, reverse marked with blue and red ink, very fine condition.
Footnote: Hugh Hart was born in Hampstead, Ontario on October 21, 1886. Hart enlisted with the 31st Battalion in Youngstown on November 18, 1914 and was soon after transferred to the Canadian Army Medical Corp due to his civil occupation as a surgeon and physician. He was promoted to Captain in July 1915, and Major by August 1918.
He arrived transferred to the 25th Battalion on July 14, 1915. On September 16, 1916, while serving at Courcelette, he was wounded with a gunshot wound to the left leg and was admitted to the No. 2 Red Cross Hospital in Rouen. By November he had recovered and returned to active duty. In December he was attached to the ADMS, in Brighton and later the CAMC depot in Westbury for the course of roughly one month. Hart joined No. 5 Field Ambulance in March of 1917. It was with this unit that he was awarded the Military Cross in July 1917 for “conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed the utmost gallantry and courage in attending wounded continuously under heavy shell fire.”
On January 11, 1918, while a part of the #5 field ambulance, CAMC, Hart received a Military Cross Bar. His citation reads as follows: During an action this officer was in charge of the field ambulance stretcher-bearers. His work under very heavy machine gun and shell fire was characterized by thoroughness and a clear and concise idea of the situation at all times which was due to his keeping in close touch with the rapidly advancing infantry. On this and other occasions he cleared all casualties with exceptional rapidity. His courage and tireless persistence were a source of inspiration to all under him.”
On July 28, 1919, Major Hart sailed home aboard the SS Canada and was discharged upon arrival in Quebec on August 8.