Private George Crump
George Crump was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England on August 30, 1897. He immigrated to Paris to work as a spinner, probably for Penmans. He attended the Paris Baptist Church. George was single when he enlisted with the 125th Battalion in Paris at 18 years of age. George was a member of the 9th Platoon that embarked aboard the S.S Scandinavia on February 12, 1916. The 9th and 10th Platoons were the first contingent of soldiers from Paris, nearly 100 men, to go overseas.
He was transferred to the 124th Pioneer Battalion after arriving in England. A pioneer battalion is a specialized military unit that bridges the gap between combat infantry and engineers. Primarily composed of soldiers with specialized civilian trades (like carpentry, masonry, and mining), their core function is to execute critical construction and logistical tasks in forward combat zones.
George was “dangerously wounded” on July 26, 1917. The unit spent late July constructing deep dugouts, laying light railway tracks, and repairing communication trenches. This heavy labor was essential for the upcoming Battle of Hill 70, which was launched nearby just weeks later. As a pioneer unit, the men worked directly behind—and often in—the front lines. They regularly faced routine German artillery shelling, sniper fire, and gas attacks while executing their engineering tasks. While no massive engagement occurred on July 26, individuals wounded or incapacitated from previous weeks of frontline labor were continually being processed, such as soldiers returning to Canada or transferring through field hospitals.
There seems to have been an exploded shell casing, and George suffered multiple shrapnel wounds to his chest, hands and legs. He was passed through several medical facilities. When he reached Whitby Military Hospital in Whitby, his right arm was amputated. He was invalided to Canada and sailed from Liverpool aboard the Araguaya on March 11, 1918. Private George Crump received his discharge certificate on June 27, 1918.