Thomas Brant (Hill) signature

Thomas Brant signed up in Belleville on this day in 1916. He stated that he was born in Shannonville on March 1st, 1899. Our colleagues at the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte’s Research Unit have identified him as Thomas Hill.

Thomas joined the 235th Battalion with the regimental number 1027453. He was five feet six and a half inches tall, with a dark complexion, brown eyes and chestnut hair. Thomas’s service record states that his father, also Thomas, was at the front. This is possibly the Thomas Hill who enlisted in February 1915.

Thomas junior was discharged from the army in March 1917 when he was considered to be under age. The medical board which examined him determined that he was fifteen years old, but he may have been even younger (census records suggest that he was born in 1905).

Thomas Brant (Hill) medical board

Extract from medical board report in Thomas Brant/Hill’s service record, courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.

 

10 (a) Disease or disability. Under age

(b) Date of origin. 1902

…
11. Present Condition (Most Important). Big strong boy, first class condition, apparent age about 18 years, in good health.