A Soldier of the First World War

Frederick Alexander Moorecroft was born on the 10th of August 1893 in Buttonville, Markham Township. He was the fifth child and third son born to Arthur Davis Moorecroft and Agnes Jane White. Shortly after his birth the family moved into the east end of Toronto settling at 60 Galt Avenue near Jones and Gerrard. The family were to remain at this address for most of the next century. Here is what 60 Galt Avenue looks like today.

From the writer's personal collection

In 1911 the family was listed in the census. Fred was 17 years old and working as an electrician:

1911 Census of Canada, Library and Archives Canada

Everything would change with the start of the First World War. Within 8 months the four eldest Moorecroft boys would enlist in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Fred was the first to enlist, on August 13th 1915. His brothers would quickly follow. 

On his attestation papers Fred listed his trade or calling as Engineer. He had been employed at the Lancashire Dynamo & Motor Company at the time of his enlistment.

Canadian Machinery, Vol. VIII, Feb 1912, vintagemachinery.org

It was a source of pride to have enlisted men in your family or having attended your schools:

Toronto Star April 12th 1917

Toronto Star May 18th 1917

From Fred's military file I was able to track his experiences. He was assigned to the 92nd Overseas Battalion and sailed for Europe on May 20th 2016 on the Empress of Britain. In July 1916 he was transferred to the 15th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He was part of the legendary 48th Highlanders. On July 31st 1916 he sailed for France on active duty. Unfortunately he was wounded twice in action. This card from his file tells the story:

Library and Archives Canada, Soldiers of the First World War

On 27 Sept 1916 he was admitted to hospital with a shrapnel wound to the right elbow. He was treated and returned to his unit on 24 Oct 1916 despite the fact that he was left with weakness and limitation of movement in the right arm.

The following year Fred was seriously injured. On February 26th 1917 at Vimy Ridge he was hit by shrapnel. This caused a severe compound fracture to his right knee and calf, as well as his right hand. He also sustained a gunshot wound to his left knee and  flesh wounds of his right arm. In the field his right leg was amputated above the knee.

The description of the original treatment was horrific – no attempt was made to suture the amputation and the femur was exposed. By the time Fred was transferred to England all his wounds had become septic. His leg had to be re-amputated. The injury to his hand was also severe.  Three fingers were lost and his index finger was deformed with limited mobility.

News of the injury was reached Canada:

Toronto Star, March 3rd 1917

Fred spent most of 1917 in hospital. He underwent five surgeries and experienced excruciating pain from the amputation. On December 29th 1917 he was finally well enough to head for home. He sailed on the JS Araguaya and landed in Halifax on January 10th 1918. His return was noted in the local news:

Toronto Star January 22nd 1918

1918 was filled with more treatment for his injuries. Fred was treated as an outpatient at Davisville Medical Hospital which was located at the corner of Davisville and Yonge Streets. This painting by Francis Stanley Turner captured the situation well. Fred could have been the soldier in the wheelchair.

From the collection of the Canadian War Museum

Fred complained of nervousness and insomnia since returning to Canada. He had been supplied with a government prosthetic leg with which he was not satisfied. Though he was treated as an outpatient he still was required to check in with the authorities. Between June and November 1918 he had several periods where he was noted as AWL (away without leave) and having deserted. When he was finally discharged as medically unfit on December 9th 1918 he was docked 59 days pay for being AWL. I like to think he had met his wife to be and just wanted to be left alone but we will never know why he didn't check in when required. Despite his unauthorized absences his conduct and character at the time of discharge were noted as good. 

Fred married Adeline Nichols on January 4th 1921. They had one son, Frederick Albert Moorecroft. Fred Sr. did not return to his former employment as an engineer. Voter lists note he was employed as a bookkeeper. No doubt he continued to experience problems from his war injuries - in 1935 he is listed as a resident at the Christie Street Military Hospital. He died on March 23rd 1956 and is buried in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.

From the writer's collection

Frederick Alexander Moorecroft was my spouse's grandfather. I wish I could have met him.