Military Service Recognition Book 502 ONTARIO COMMAND SMITH, James H. “Herb” James was born in Hamilton, Ontario on August 10, 1896. He enlisted in the Army on February 7, 1916 and served as a Lewis Gunner with the 3rd Battalion (Toronto Regiment) CEF during World War I. He was involved in all major battles with this Battalion in France, most notably the Battle of Vimy Ridge from April 9 to 14, 1917. The 3rd Battalion was part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade responsible for the far right hand side of the line. His unit was specifically discharged with the objective of taking the 3rd Line (Blue) and the 4th Line (Brown) of the ridge. They successfully accomplished this and he was promoted to Lance Corporal shortly after the battle. Remarkably, Herb survived the war unscathed, earning the Victory Medal and the 19141918 Medal. He settled down in his hometown and married a British Home Girl, Sarah Eaton, in 1920. They had two sons, Russell and William and an adopted daughter, Sheila. He was discharged on April 23, 1919. He initially worked as a shipper for a local grocery store and ended up working at Westinghouse in Hamilton. Lance Corporal Herb Smith died peacefully in Hamilton on April 20, 1978 and is buried in Hamilton Cemetery. SMITH, John J. John was born in England on August 20, 1879. He enlisted in the Army and joined the 168th Battalion on April 4, 1916. He embarked on the S.S. Lafland on October 30, 1916 and landed in Liverpool, England on November 1, 1916. John served during World War I with the 2nd Battalion in France and was wounded on September 16, 1917. He returned home on May 26, 1917 on a ship called Sragunya and landed in Canada on June 3, 1917. He was discharged on June 14, 1918. He was a member of Tillsonburg Legion Branch 153. John passed away on January 8, 1969. SMITH, James William James was born in Thornloe, Ontario on February 7, 1919. He enlisted in the R.C.A. on January 8, 1940 and later transferred to the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. He served in Belgium during World War II. James was killed in action on December 9, 1944 in Belgium. He is buried at Schoonselhof Cemetery Grave Memorial Ref L.C.5. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre posthumously by the Belgian Government.
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