256893 Pte Alfred Dickson Canadian Expeditionary Forces 17th Canadian Machine Gun Coy from:Carcross, Yukon Territory Alfred Dickson was born 5th of May 1881 in Keene, Ontario the son of James and Mary Pratt Dickson. He was one of eleven children with only three sisters.
As a young man he saw three brothers join the Northwest Mounted Police in April of 1888 and a fourth brother joined a few years later. Serving was obviously an expected way of life in the family.
Attestation Papers for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Forces show that Alfred took his oath on 30th of September 1916 but had already logged 3 years with the Cobourg Artillery and one year with the 31st Battalion in the Cobourg, Ontario area. Prior to taking the oath, Alfred had moved west to Carcross, Yukon Territory to be with several of his brothers who were working as miners out there.
Early research shows he was in good health when he had his physical in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory though there was a note that he had suffered from typhoid in 1901. He was 147 pounds at 5 foot 7 inches. With a life insurance policy in effect and leaving his estate to his brother, Adam Dickson, he was ready to go.
It appears he left for Liverpool, England on the S.S. Canada on 22nd of January 1917 and arrived in Liverpool, England on 6th of February 1917 where he was assigned to the 7th Reserve Battalion. He was further assigned to the 3rd Machine Gun Coy 5th Canadian Division in Witley, England on 24th of March 1917.
In late October 1917 Alfred began experiencing problems with his kidneys and was hospitalized on 31st of October at the Bramshott Military Hospital (Canadian Military Hospital # 5) where he remained for some time. On 5th of December of the same year he was transferred to the Queens Hospital (Canadian Military Hospital # 12) in Liverpool, England. As his illness progressed he was deemed unfit for further war service and was sent back to Canada in April of 1918 where he spent time in the Queens Military Hospital in Kingston, Ontario.
Alfred received his discharge on 17th of July 1918. At that time he again made his home out in Carcross, Yukon Territory. He would later marry and make a home for his family in Vancouver, BC. Research continues so further corrections will be made if needed. Alfred died 20th of February 1958.
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