copyright © Wartime Heritage Association 2012-2024 Website hosting courtesy of Register.com - a web.com company
Wartime Heritage ASSOCIATION
Remembering World War I Yarmouth Connections
Return To Links
Name: Edward Freeman Hilton Rank: Gunner Regimental Number: 2163315 Regiment: Canadian Field Artillery 3rd Brigade, Canadian Siege Battery Date of Birth: September 21, 1897 Place of Birth: Yarmouth, NS Date of Enlistment: January 20, 1917 Place of Enlistment: Halifax, NS Address at Enlistment: Yarmouth, NS Age at Enlistment: 19 Height: 5 feet, 5 ½ inches Complexion: Ruddy Hair: dark brown Eyes: grey Previous Military: Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery Trade: Fireman Marital Status: Single Religion: Methodist Next of Kin: Alfred Hilton (Father); Yarmouth, NS Date of Death: September 10, 1918 (wounded 9:00 am/died 10 pm September 10, 1918) Age at Death: 20 Cemetery: Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais, France Grave Reference: V. H. 55. Commemorated on Page 429 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on September 14 Edward Freeman Hilton was the son of Alfred Dunstan Snow Hilton and Letitia (Penney) Hilton, of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Before enlisting, he was employed at the Cotton Mill, Yarmouth. His father also enlisted and served overseas. Edward first enlisted on April 14, 1916 at Halifax at the age of 17 and served with the 8th Canadian Siege Battery. Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery (Service Number 9532). On January 20, 1917 he transferred for overseas service. His mother received word of Edward’s death on September 18, 1918. He died of gunshot wounds and a fracture of his right leg on September 10, 1918. Only a few months earlier on May 29, 1918 Edward was admitted to a Military Hospital in France having been badly gassed and shell shocked. His mother had received a letter from him weeks before the news of his death, written from Scotland where he was at the time convalescing. The family was not aware that he had returned to the front.
Edward Freeman Hilton
Return to Casualty List No 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station B E F September 11, 1918 Dear Mrs. Hilton  It is my sad duty to write you of the death of your son, Gunner E. Hilton, No 2163315, 8th Canadian Siege Batt. C.G.A.  He was wounded in the right leg-compound fracture - and was brought here last night and died either on the way in or shortly after he arrived here.  I buried him today at 2:15 in the British Military Cemetery and his grave will be marked by a cross on which will be his name, number and battalion.  The number of his grave is 54, plot 5, row H.  It will be easy to find in the future.  I am sorry that I cannot give you any more particulars. However, I know that your son died for others, that others might enjoy peace and freedom.  He has gone to his reward and I believe you will meet him at the Saviour’s right hand when this strange life is over.  With deepest sympathy to you all, I am, sincerely yours,  A. D. Reid, Can. Chaplain.
War Diary - 8th Canadian Siege Battery: The war diary of the 8th Canadian Siege Battery records that on May 28, 1918, twenty-nine men were hospitalized after being gassed and again on May 29th, 1918 thirty-nine men were hospitalized after being gassed. On September 10, 1918, the war diary records that “Gunner E Hilton was severely wounded about 9:00 am. He dies in a dressing station about 10 pm”.
Sources: Veterans Affairs Canada (War Diaries) Library and Archives Canada Canadian Virtual War Memorial