Private Tuxford lists his birth home and address
of next-of-kin as London, England. His pay records show a link
to an Alex Reid of Milton West, Ontario. The 1911 census shows
two (2) possibilities, one from Milton (age 73) and one from
Nassagaweya (age 34). There is also a Charles Reid who attested
the same day and place as Tuxford (#11149) who served with the
20th Halton Rifles - a possible link.
Private Tuxford attested in Valcartier Quebec to the 4th
Battalion (1st Division, 1st Infantry Brigade) on September 22,
1914. At that time there was only one division and they
were known as the "First Contingent". They sailed on
October 3, 1914.
In June of 1915 Private Tuxford was taken of strength
for treatment of rheumatism, shell shock, neuralgia and measles.
He returned to duty but was again sent to the Canadian
Convalescent Hospital at Epsom in April 1916, not retuning to
the 4th Battalion until August 7, 1916, after having spent some
time in the entrenching battalion. He was reported missing in
action on October 9, 1916.
October 8, 1916 marked the Battle of Ancre Heights and the
attack on Regina Trench, northwest of Courcelette on the Somme
battlefield. The attack failed and by last light the 1st
Division was where it started. History reports the inaccuracy of
the artillery fire and inability to cut the wire, led to the
disaster and 1,364 Canadian casualties that day.
The war diary of the 4th Battalion of October
8, 1916 reports on the movement north of Courcelette, the
attack and the retreat. On October
9, 1916 they were shelled heavily before they were relieved
and moved back to Albert. Detailed Orders for the attack are
provided in Appendix
5 and are followed by an Operation Report in Appendix
6.
