GOVENLOCK, Thomas Edward

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         2nd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             4th Infantry Brigade
                                             21st Battalion  -  Eastern Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   475460
RESIDENCE:                    St. Catharines – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            May 5, 1892
                                             McKillop Township – Huron County
DATE OF DEATH:           September 30, 1916             24 years     3 months
CEMETERY:                     Ovillers Military Cemetery – Ovillers –
                                             Somme – France
                                             XVII     N     7
PARENTS:                         Mr. and Mrs John M. Govenlock – Seaforth – Ontario
Occupation:                        Teacher                                 Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         Montreal – October 20, 1915 into 4th Universities Company of the P.P.C.L.I.
Enlistment Age:                 23 years     6 months

Private Govenlock had departed from Canada and arrived overseas in England in early December of 1915. Private Govenlock on March 21, 1916 he was taken on strength by the 39th Battalion at West Sandling and did signals training. He was there until September 3, 1916 at which time he transferred to the 21st Battalion and on September 12th joined his unit in the field.
Private Govenlock was acting as a signaller when he was killed by an enemy shell while in the trenches near Courcelette on the Somme front.
Thomas received his education at McKillop Township Public School and Seaforth Collegiate Institute and following his earning and receiving his teaching certificate he taught at Steelton, Sault Ste Marie and St. Catherines Collegiate Institute.
   He is remembered on the Roll of Service at the University of Toronto.
During the night of September 29/30 it was relatively calm. However, during the day the enemy shelled Coucelette most of the day. They also heavily shelled Dyke Road, The Quarry and the East Miraumont Road. Heavy casualties were taken in the ranks of the runners and somehow communications were maintained. As well during the night the construction and strengthening of the line was continuous. It was during this day of enemy artillery bombardments when Private Govenlock suffered his fatals wounds.
Late on the evening of the September 30th the 21st Battalion was relieved by the 18th Infantry Battalion.
A bomb store containing a large number of bombs left in Courcelette by the enemy was hit by a shell and a series of destructive explosions ensued.