Canadian Virtual War Memorial

War Diary – Seven men were killed when a shell dropped during the evening of September 5th, 1918 in the lines of the 1st Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column. All were buried the following day on September 6th. Original War Diary entry. The men killed were: Dvr. Joseph Audette, 40768; Dvr. John Alexander Cardinal, 345126; Dvr. John Cliffe, 92915; Dvr. Reginald Frank Davey, 304113; Corporal Eaton Andrew Kitching, 86113; Dvr. David Simpson, 42740; and Dvr. Harold Alphonse Smith, 349023. A letter detailing these events can be found on the record for Dvr. Harold Alphonse Smith (Canadian Virtual Memorial).

Photo of Eaton Kitching – These photographs of Eaton Kitching as a civilian and in uniform came from the home of Eaton's sister Mary Crockford who lived at 23, Albert Rd, Cosham, Portsmouth UK. Eaton's mother who outlived him resided close by at 19 Albert Rd and later at number 23. Eaton emigrated to Canada and worked for the CPR in Winnipeg. He married his wife Florence on the 29th June 1909 in Winnipeg. He joined the Army at Winnipeg in December 1914, landed in England in August 1915 and embarked for France in January 1916. As the photograph in uniform shows only one stripe it is likely to have taken prior to November 1915 when he was promoted from Bombardier to Corporal at Otterpool Camp, Kent. His visit to 23 Albert Road in December 1915 when on leave was remembered by his niece Olive Crockford. He managed to obtain a turkey from the local butcher for his family at Christmas at a time when food was short. According to his family in Cosham Eaton was killed by a stray shell which hit the hut in which he was sleeping. A British solder (Fred Latter) also of Cosham helped recover Eaton's body and recognised him. Allegedly the shell which killed Eaton and his companions was an Allied one not a German one. In Olive's words `some damm fool let off a gun by accident'. Presumably this information reached the family informally possibly via Fred Latter.

Photo of Eaton Kitching – This photograph of Eaton Kitching as a civilian came from the home of Eaton's sister Mary Crockford who lived at 23, Albert Rd, Cosham, Portsmouth UK. It was probably taken in England before he emigrated to Canada.

Gravemarker – Eaton Andrew Kitching - Grave Marker Eaton is buried in Plot VI. F. 17 at H.A.C. Cemetery, Ecoust-St Mein, Pas-de-Calais, France. The grave has been visited by his wife. His is probably a concentrated burial from Imperial(Dominion) Cemetery Hendecourt-les-Cagnicourt 3kM to the north east. See notes on CWG site. (Initial burial at Hendecourt confirmed in War Diary entry) He is buried alongside six other members of the Canadian army (All drivers of the same 1st Division Ammunition Column) who were killed on the same day. Inscription on his headstone reads "His duty nobly done" The cemetery was visited by Chris Welti in April 2001.

Attestation Paper – Eaton's attestation papers show that he joined the Canadian Army using the name Eaton Andrew Kitchener at Winnipeg in December 1914. In 1917 his service record was annotated to show:- 'Having declared his true name to be 'Eaton Andrew Kitching' will be in future be known as such. All documents to be altered accordingly' This copy of Eaton's attestation papers differs slightly in detail to that shown on the web site.

Photo of Eaton Andrew Kitching – This portrait of Eaton in uniform taken during WW1 was found in 2012 after the death of his last known relation living near Cosham, Hampshire. On the reverse is written "To May from Eaton thank you for writing I will write before long" (May is Emily May Crockford (1897-1972), Eaton's niece)

Cemetery – Highly likely to be a photograph of the area of Eaton Kitching's grave at H.A.C. Cemetery Ecoust - St Mein. The sparse vegetation and the number of graves suggest this picture of Eaton's grave was taken after it was concentrated from Imperial Cemetery to Ecoust St Mein in around 1919. The location shown is consistent with the present position of Eaton's grave in plot VI, Row F, Grave 17 (middle of row) towards the front left hand side of Ecoust St Mein cemetery. Photograph (Annotation on back K9378) found with a signed photograph of Eaton in December 2012 at the home of the last remaining relative associated with the Kitching / Crockford family of Cosham. Photo probably belonged to Eaton's mother and passed down via a niece (Emily May Crockford) and daughter. Probably sent to Eaton's mother by the Canadian Army. Eaton's burial record is annotated "Photo of G sent ?/K 3-8-21". None of the burial records of his six companions killed at the same time has this annotation.

Memorial Cross – Eaton's mother (Fanny Kitching nee Eaton 1838 - 1925) was awarded a Memorial Cross (Also known as the Silver Cross) by the Canadian Government after his death. Original cross engraved with Eaton's name and service number found in Portsmouth Dec 2012. There is also a case and accompanying note. Eaton was Fanny Kitching's youngest son. At the time of his death she had outlived her husband and at least six of her eight children. Her grandson Richard Charles Alfred Kitching (who served in the British Army) was also killed in France in 1916 at the age of 17.

Memorial Cross – Eatons' Memorial Cross in original box with presentation card.

War Memorial – Eaton is commemorated on the War Memorial at Wymering Church, Cosham, Hampshire. See right hand panel. Note error in initials, E E Kitching shown on memorial, it should be E A Kitching. Many of Eaton's relations attended this church.

Grave marker – Photo courtesy of Wilf Schofield, England