Herbert Elijah Hatch

Story:
Herbert Elijah Hatch was born in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1 Nov 1884 the son of Albert Hatch and Mary Ann Hatch (nee Penny).  He lived his early life at Bittles Green, Motcombe.  He emigrated to Canada arriving there on 9 Mar 1907.  He had married Blanche Kivell in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on 20 Nov 1908 returning to Canada and setting up home in British Columbia, Canada.  He had enlisted on 20 May 1915 with the Canadian Expeditionary Force as a Private (Service No. 442685).  He was posted to the UK aboard the SS Mauretania on 22 Nov 1915 and later to France and Flanders on 13 Aug 1916 and served with the 54th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry during which time he was promoted to Corporal.  He returned to Canada on 31 May 1919 and was discharged on 18 Jun 1919.  He had qualified for the Victory and British War Medals but this is not recorded in his records except he was awarded the Class A War Service Badge No. 304901.  By 1921 he was recorded living at Hog Ranch, Kootenay East, British Columbia, working as a Farmer.  He died in Canada on 11 May 1973.