BRETHOUR, Hector Wilson

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        1st Canadian Infantry Division
                                             2nd Infantry Brigade
                                             5th Battalion - Western Cavalry
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   1018419
RESIDENCE:                    Daysville – Saskatchewan 
DATE OF BIRTH:            November 12, 1881
                                             Blanchard – Perth County - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           September 1, 1918               36 years     10 months
CEMETERY:                     Upton Wood Cemetery – Hendicourt-les-Cagnicourt –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                                  C     28
SISTER:                              Miss Ida Brethour – Kirkton - Ontario
Occupation:                        Farmer                                  Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         North Battleford – Saskatchewan – June 3, 1916
Enlistment Age:                 34 years     6 months
 
Private Btrthour arrived in England on June 9, 1917 on the S. S. Olympic and he entered France on August 27, 1917 and joins his unit in the field on October 11, 1917.
On October 25th he was admitted to No. 1 Canadian field Ambulance with a contusion on his head and a wound on his shoulder but does not rejoin his unit until June 1, 1918.
Private Brethour was killed after he and the men in the Company were involved in an attack at Hendecourt-les-Cagnicourt and he was on his way back from the front line to the Company Headquarters. He was struck in the back by an enemy bullet killing him instantly.
The objective for the advance was Orpis and Opal Trenches immediately west of the Hendecourt Cagnicourt- Duhy Road with “A” Company doing the attack and “D” Company supporting. Zero hour was 04:50 hours and “A” Company advanced and followed the barrage and then attacked with “D” Company in support. There was much opposition from enemy machine-guns in strong points and shell holes causing heavy casualties. By 05:30 hours the objectives had been gained and they began to consolidate their positions but reinforcements were necessary due to such heavy casualties been taken.
The Battalion was forward about 700 yards of the 72nd Battalion on the left resulting in enemy enfilade fire resulting in posts being set up to prevent the enemy from attacking the rear of the Battalion. At 09:00 hours the enemy began a heavy barrage onto the position of the Battalion along with heavy machine-gun fire and then at 11:30 hours the enemy began a counter-attack and it forced the Battalion to withdraw to their original positions. At 1 pm the Battalion counter-attacked the enemy and facing very heavy machine-gun fire and again the Battalion was in possession of their objectives. The right flank was not secured until 4 pm.
It was during this day of battle when Private Brethour was killed in action.
 

Not on a Huron County Cenotaph