Hunt, Edwin Charles

Edwin Charles Hunt was born in Blandford, Dorset, England, on 7 January 1884 (some records say 14 March 1883). It is not known when he immigrated to Canada.

A labourer, Hunt enlisted in the 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Central Ontario) at Valcartier Camp, Quebec, on 22 September 1914. He had military experience, having served several years in the British Army’s Dorset Regiment. After initial training in Canada, Hunt travelled to Plymouth, England, with his unit on 3 October 1914 as part of the First Contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The Contingent trained on Salisbury Plain for four months before being shipped to France in February 1915.

Soon after arriving in France, Hunt was hospitalized due to a joint inflammation. He spent a month in treatment at No. 4 General Hospital, in Saint- Nazaire, and No. 9 Stationary Hospital, in Rouen. He returned to his unit on 14 April 1915.

In late December 1915, Hunt was admitted to hospital suffering from a hernia. For the first half of 1916, he was posted to a variety of positions behind the lines while his hernia healed. He did not rejoin the 4th Battalion until September 1916.

On 8 September 1916, heavy shelling killed and wounded men in Hunt’s trench. He volunteered to take the wounded to the Regimental Aid Post and safely made two trips under fire. He would later receive the Military Medal for his actions.

On 8 October 1916, Hunt was wounded when his unit attacked German positions near Courcelette during the Battle of the Somme. He was taken to an aid post, then to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station for treatment. He died there on 13 October 1916.

Edwin Charles Hunt is buried in Puchevillers British Cemetery, in France.

Military Medal

No citation. London Gazette, 9 December 1916, Supplement 29854.