Pte
Edwin Patrick Fitzgerald
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 21/01/1873 |
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Place of birth: Dayton, Ohio, United States of America |
General information
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Profession: Professional Soldier |
Army information
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Country: Canada |
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Force: Canadian Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 207834 |
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Enlistment date: 01/02/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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Units: — Canadian Infantry, 85th Bn. (Nova Scotia Highlanders) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 30/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Tyne Cottage, Passchendaele, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 44 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: I Row: B Grave: 27 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Edwin Patrick Fitzgerald was born in January 1873 in Dayton, Ohio. As a young man Edwin served with the 4th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish–American War. He was discharged from the army at the age of 27. In February 1904 he marries Effie Macy in Montgomery, Ohio. At the moment he was employed as a moulder. A year later in February 1905, at the age of 31, Edwin reenlists in the U.S. Army. In 1912, while stationed at the Plattsburgh barracks in New York, Edwin remarries. He and his new wife, Mabel Adele Murphy had five children. But only two survived childhood. The family lived in Norwood, New York.
On the 1st of February 1916, Edwin, although still a professional soldier in the United States Army, enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Toronto, Ontario. On his attestation papers Edwin lied about his age, stating he was 35-years old, while he had just turned 43. In June 1917 he proceeded overseas for service with the Canadian Infantry, 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), part of the 12th brigade, of the 4th Canadian Division.
On the 30th of October 1917, the 12th Brigade took part in an attack, directly south of the ruins of Passchendaele. The 85th Battalion advanced along the Ypres-Roulers railroad, going towards Vienna Cottage, Tiber Copse and Tiber. The attack was divided in four groups: “A“ Company advanced on the left and took Tiber, “B” Company advanced on the right and attacked along the railway, ensuring the defence on the right flank, “C” company remained in the centre and took Vienna Cottage and “D” company was put up as a reserve.
At 5.50 am the 12th Brigade began the attack. Almost immediately they were met with heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. The Nova Scotia Highlanders were held up in No Man’s Land and a fierce fire fight erupted. When “D “Company was called in to reinforce the attack, the Germans retreated.
Despite the high number of casualties, the 12th Canadian Brigade managed to consolidate all its objectives by 8.30 am. During the rest of the day, the Germans were seen, trying to advance on Hill 13 and towards Passchendaele. Their progress was stopped by machine-gun fire from the 12th Brigade.
Private Edwin Patrick Fitzgerald was killed in action on the 30th of October 1917. The 44-year-old was buriedat Tyne Cottage, an advanced dressing station at the time. Edwin is still remembered at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot I, Row B, Grave 27.
On the 1st of February 1916, Edwin, although still a professional soldier in the United States Army, enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Toronto, Ontario. On his attestation papers Edwin lied about his age, stating he was 35-years old, while he had just turned 43. In June 1917 he proceeded overseas for service with the Canadian Infantry, 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), part of the 12th brigade, of the 4th Canadian Division.
On the 30th of October 1917, the 12th Brigade took part in an attack, directly south of the ruins of Passchendaele. The 85th Battalion advanced along the Ypres-Roulers railroad, going towards Vienna Cottage, Tiber Copse and Tiber. The attack was divided in four groups: “A“ Company advanced on the left and took Tiber, “B” Company advanced on the right and attacked along the railway, ensuring the defence on the right flank, “C” company remained in the centre and took Vienna Cottage and “D” company was put up as a reserve.
At 5.50 am the 12th Brigade began the attack. Almost immediately they were met with heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. The Nova Scotia Highlanders were held up in No Man’s Land and a fierce fire fight erupted. When “D “Company was called in to reinforce the attack, the Germans retreated.
Despite the high number of casualties, the 12th Canadian Brigade managed to consolidate all its objectives by 8.30 am. During the rest of the day, the Germans were seen, trying to advance on Hill 13 and towards Passchendaele. Their progress was stopped by machine-gun fire from the 12th Brigade.
Private Edwin Patrick Fitzgerald was killed in action on the 30th of October 1917. The 44-year-old was buriedat Tyne Cottage, an advanced dressing station at the time. Edwin is still remembered at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot I, Row B, Grave 27.
Sources 6
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"Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Uniform, 2018, pg. 153-154. Sources used |
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Circumstances of Death http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/mass-digitized-archives/circumstances-death-registers/Pages/circumstances-death-registers.aspx Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/462755/fitzgerald,-/ Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
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War Diary Canadian Infantry, 85th Bn. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lac-bac/search/arch Sources used |
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War Graves Registers http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/mass-digitized-archives/commonwealth-war-graves-registers/pages/commonwealth-war-graves-registers.aspx Sources used |