Cecil Haggart Shaver MM

Rank:

Gunner

Regimental number:

322914

Unit at enlistment:

12th Brigade C.F.A., 54th Battery

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

September 2nd, 1918

Cemetery:

Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension - Pas de Calais, France - IV.A.4.

Awards or decorations:

Military Medal

Commemorated at:

B.C.I. High School Memorial Plaque

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Cainsville, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

Cainsville, Ontario

Next of kin address:

Cainsville, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Farmer

Religious denominations:

Methodist

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Gallantry medals:

Yes

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 31173
Date: February 11, 1919
Honour or Award: Military Medal
Authority: 1st D.O. 5429, September 28, 1918
Shaver, Cecil Haggart (322914)
Unit: 2nd Brigade C.F.A.

BX January 29, 1919

Military Medal Won by Cecil Haggart Shaver

Gunner Cecil Haggart Shaver a well known young Brantford lad who enlisted with the 54th Battery under Capt. Henderson, just when he was leaving school and who was killed in action on September 2, had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery. Mrs. N.D. Shaver, his mother, who lives at 167 East Avenue, was only informed of her son’s decoration this week. From Lieut. Cyril C. Ashcroft of the 6th Battery, C.F.A., she received a letter telling of Gunner Shaver’s deed. He was wounded badly, yet he went to the assistance of some of his companions, and was killed. A message from one of his pals said it was an exploding bomb that caused his death. The letter follows:

I am enclosing a strip of the Military Medal ribbon that your son Cecil won at the time he received his wounds that afterwards proved fatal.

It was with sorrow that I heard of his death, for he was one of my section and one of the best chaps I have had with me. I would like to extend to you my deepest sympathy in the hope that it may comfort you a little to hear from one who had the privilege of having such men under him.

His Military Medal will be forwarded to you by the Records Office. Though badly wounded, he went to the assistance of some of his comrades in distress and was hit again.

Cyril C. Ashcroft,

Lieut. 6th Batt., C.F.A.

Circumstances of Casualty: Died of Wounds (Shrapnel wounds face and legs) at No. 42 Casualty Clearing Station.

BX September 14, 1918

Gunner Cecil Haggart Shaver Reported

Gunner Cecil Haggart Shaver, youngest son of the late Henry Shaver, Cainsville, is officially reported to have died of gunshot wounds in the face and legs at 43 Casualty Clearing station. Gunner Shaver commenced his military career with the B.C.I. cadets. He then was in training with the Dufferin Rifles for several years, enlisting with the 54th Battery in March, 1916. In the Battle of Vimy Ridge Gunner Shaver was gassed. Then followed trench fever and he was invalided to England in April, 1917 returning again to France in November. Gunner Shaver was 21 years of age and leaves a widowed mother and sister, who reside at 147 Northumberland Street, and three brothers, Bert and Ira at Cainsville and Captain F.D. Shaver, who had been overseas for more than two years and was honorably discharged October, 1917.