Remembering Those Who Served World War I - Yarmouth Connections

Name: Service No Rank Battalion/Service Date of Birth: Place of Birth: Date of Enlistment: Age at Enlistment: Place of Enlistment: Address at Enlistment: Height: Complexion: Eye Colour: Hair Colour: Previous Military: Martial Status: Trade: Religion Next of Kin: Date of Discharge: Date of Death: Cemetery: Additional Information:

Charles Asa Cunningham 469578/1099596 Private 64th Battalion (enlisted September 1, 1915) 256th Battalion (enlisted February 16, 1917) July 11, 1881 (actual 1863) Cape Sable, NS September 1, 1915 (64th Battalion) 34 (actual age 52) Sussex NB Yarmouth, NS 5 feet, 9 inches fair blue light 29th Battery Canadian Field Artillery, Yarmouth NS Married Fisherman Baptist Laura L Cunningham (Wife) Yarmouth, NS November 3, 1916 (first discharge) February 9, 1918 (second discharge) March 30, 1944 Mountain Cemetery Charles Cunningham was one of the oldest from Yarmouth, NS to enlist in World War I. A fisherman by trade, he was married with five children; Everett, Clayton, Percy, Eva, and Rita. His first enlistment was with the 64th Battalion at Sussex, NB. He arrived in England on the SS Adriatic on April 9, 1916, having departed Halifax on March 31, 1916. He was transferred to the 40th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe. He was discharged as overage and medically unfit and returned to Canada in October, 1916 and discharged on November 3, 1916. Charles then re-enlisted at Yarmouth on February 16, 1917 with the 256th Overseas Railway Construction Battalion (Service Number 1099596) and was passed at medically fit. His age was listed as 51 years; however, he was actually 53. Again he proceeded overseas arriving in England on the SS Northland on April 29, 1917 and embarked for France on June 17, 1917 arriving in the field on June 19, 1917. On August 7, 1917 Charles was admitted to No. 39 Canadian Casualty Station suffering from problems with his right knee, the result of fall in May 1917. He was returned to England and hospitalized on August 16, 1917 until October 24, 1917. Once again determined to be unfit for further military service he was returned to Canada sailing from Liverpool on the SS Metagama on December 23, 1917 and discharged on February 9, 1918. Charles served three month in France. His sons, Everett Augustus Cunningham (733567) and Clayton Wilfred Cunningham (817029) also served during World War I.

Charles Asa Cunningham

Source: Library and Archives Canada

photo: Wartime Heritage 2018