Frederick Henry Arthur Pinnell

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

773115

Unit at enlistment:

125th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Commemorated at:

Victoria Public School Honour Roll

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Bruce

Birth city:

Teeswater, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

22 Jubilee Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

22 Jubilee Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Student

Religious denominations:

Methodist

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

BX August 22, 1917

That her youngest son, Private Fred Pinnell, 773115 had been admitted to a hospital suffering from trench fever was the word received yesterday by Mrs. Pinnell of 22 Jubilee Avenue. He is now in the Endall Street hospital, London England. He went overseas with the first overseas battalion from the 38th Dufferin Rifles.

BX September 19, 1916

September 3, 1916

Dear Mother and Father,

Just a few lines to let you know that I am quite well and am on my leave, having a grand time.

This town is up in Lancashire, a very beautiful part of the country. There is Russell Fish, Eugene Force, and Shelly Higgin and I all staying at Shelly’s grandfathers. He is a fine old gentleman and they are treating us fine. We have invitations out to tea and dinner for everyday here, and it seems as though the Canadians have the run of everything, everywhere. We have the use of the clubs in the town, all the bowling greens and everything else. Of course Mr. Higgins is an influential man here and therefore we have these privileges.

Another gentleman loaned us his car yesterday and we went for a trip of 50 miles. We visited a large hospital, which will hold 3,000 patients, but there are only 1,600 in it now. We went through the books and looked over the names of all Canadians who have been in, but I did not know any and there are none in now. There had been one fellow from the 4th Battalion, but I did not know him. We got in right with an old major and he gave us the run of the whole place.

I have also been through a cotton mill and had everything explained from the time the cotton comes in bales from the States until it goes out in the finished cloth. It certainly was very interesting.

I may have a chance to go through a coal mine if I have time, which will undoubtedly be very interesting.

We were at “chapel” this morning. It was a very beautiful church which would seat 1,000 people quite comfortably. The grounds and interior were very beautiful indeed.

We are going down to Blackpool tomorrow and I am going in for a swim although it is a little cold.

Say, I don’t know whether I am getting fat or not, but my clothes are all getting pretty tight for me. I don’t see how I can get fat on the grub they give us at camp, really it is terrible.

Whenever you think of sending me a parcel send some socks and some Canadian tobacco, for the English tobacco takes the skin off my tongue. Give my regards to everybody around there.

Fred