Corporal Frederick Sherman
Fred was born in Paris and attended St Paul’s Methodist (now United) Church with his wife Rose. He was born in Burford on August 17, 1884 but lived in Paris at the time he enlisted. Before the war, he served in the Oxford Rifles. He was working as a boarder at Penmans Mill No.1. He was 31 years old when he enlisted with the 125th Battalion in Paris.
Fred 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 would have been transferred to the 4th Battalion after arriving in England, but we know little more about his military service during the war except that he was wounded twice. He was first wounded in the heel and treated at No.7 Canadian Hospital in Etaples on May 24, 1917. Later that year he was diagnosed with PUO, Pyrexia of Unknown Origin. It generally referred to a fever that could not be diagnosed. More seriously, on September 29, 1918, Fred was admitted to the General Hospital at Dannes Camiers, France, suffering from gunshot wounds in the face and eye. His wounds were probably received during the Battle of the Canal du Nord, a pivotal offensive during the Hundred Days Offensive that finally led to the Allied victory over Germany.
Fred was diagnosed with neurasthenia. Common symptoms include persistent, debilitating fatigue, malaise, insomnia, stress-related headaches, irritability, inability to concentrate, and muscle pains. Today, together with his earlier diagnosis of pyrexia, Corporal Frederick Sherman would probably be diagnosed with PTSD. He was demobilized in April, 1919.