Private Kingsbury was a true Milton lad, born and
farmer raised in the Township of Nassagaweya, on a rural route
of Campbellville, now incorporated into the Town of
Milton. He attested on January 24, 1916 to the 116th
Battalion of this area (Halton-Dufferin). His parents were
from Campbellville.
His official records indicate that he died on September 13,
1916 at Camp
Borden, Ontario when he jumped from a train. Private
Kingsbury is one of many hundred Canadian soldiers that died
before they ever made it to Europe to fight in the Great War,
whether from sickness, accidents or "friendly
fire". Many soldiers made it from Canada, but were similarly
killed while training in England.
Private Kingsbury is unique to our list as he is the only
Milton Soldier buried in the Ebenezer United Church
Cemetery. His grave stone is now shown on the
international Commonwealth War Graves Commission site as the
photograph for this cemetery. CWGC staff are aware of the
deteriorating condition of his stone and have it scheduled for
repair or replacement.
John Meek wrote of the 164th as a typical Canadian Battalion:
"During
the months of December 1915 and January to April, 1916,
recruiting was brisk, and at the end of April, the Battalion had
a strength of about 800 all ranks. From that time on it was
increasingly difficult to secure men, consequently the 164th
Battalion never reached full strength.
"
"Until June 1916, the Battalion was divided into several
detachments stationed throughout the two counties. On June 5,
1916, the Battalion was mobilized at Orangeville Fair Grounds,
remaining there under canvas until July 6, when they were moved
by train to Camp Borden. The Battalion remained at Camp Borden
until October 16, 1916, and on this day they began their long
trek to the city of Hamilton, Ontario for further winter
training.
"
