Photos
Biography
Richard Hamilton Sebben
Richard Henry Hamilton Sebben (249007) was born on March 17, 1885, in Milverton, Perth County, Ontario, to parents John and Maria Marjorie Sebben. He was the oldest of four children, with brothers Lorne Case and John Fulton Sebben and sister Meredith William Sebben. By 1901, they moved as a family to Shakespeare Rd, North Easthope Township, Stratford, Perth County, Ontario.
After Richard completed his schooling, he worked as a farmer until February 26, 1916, when he signed his attestation papers in Toronto. He enlisted as a Private in the 208th (Canadian Irish) Battalion CEF, completing training at Camp Borden and Exhibition Park in Toronto. During this period of training, on August 22, 1916, Richard married Margaret McKay McIntosh of Stratford in Toronto, Ontario.
On May 3, 1917, Richard and the 208th Battalion sailed on the SS Justicia from Halifax to Liverpool, England, arriving on May 14. They were stationed at Witley Camp in Surrey after a couple days of quarantine at Otterpool Camp in Kent where they continued to train.
By early 1918 the decision was made to disband the unit and, on January 11, 1918, Private Sebben was transferred to the 2nd Canadian Reserve Battalion, also stationed at Witley Camp. The unit trained there for just over a month before being absorbed into the 8th Canadian Reserve Battalion on February 14, 1918, stationed at East Sandling Camp near Saltwood and Hythe in Kent. Two days later, he transferred to the 54th (Kootenay) Battalion CEF.
On February 27, 1918, Private Sebben was admitted to the No.1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. On March 5, 1918, he was transferred to the No.4 General Hospital in Camiers in the Pas-de-Calais department of France just north of Etaples for further treatment. Three days later, he was transferred to the No.51 General Hospital in Etaples. On May 15, 1918, he was discharged to duty.
With the 54th Battalion, Private Sebben participated in the Capture of Oppy Wood, the Battle of Amiens, The Battle of the Canal du Nord and the capture of Bourlon Wood on September 27.
On the morning of September 30, 1918, Private Sebben’s company along with other Canadian units launched an attack north of Cambrai to push their line but faced heavy resistance and suffered many casualties. During this battle, Private Sebben was struck in the head and shoulder by shrapnel from a high explosive shell. His wounds were attended to, and he was speedily removed to a field ambulance then admitted to the No.30 Casualty Clearing Station in Cambrai. Four days later, on October 4, 1918, Private Sebben died from his wounds.
He was buried at the Bucquoy Road British Cemetery in Ficheux, Pas-de-Calais, France, which is 4.25 miles south of Arras. Both his mother and his wife were awarded the Memorial Cross for his sacrifice, and he is honoured in the Stratford War Memorial.