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Cpl Robert Walker Symes DCM Service No 478. Born in Glasgow, Scotland 25 Jul 1888, son of Robert Grant Snedden Symes and Robina Jane Walker. Commonly known as "Bob". He enrolled in RAMC at Aldershot, England, 26 July 1906. He finished his recruit and corps training and transferred to Class B Army Reserve on 25 July 1907. He emigrated to Canada sometime between 1907 and 1909 and resided in Montreal, Quebec where he practiced his trade as a boilermaker (riveter). Family lore said he was a riveter employed in bridge building for railways. He was mobilized in Canada 12 Aug 1914, reported to Camp Valcartier near Quebec City and was posted to the RAMC, A Coy Depot, Aldershot, England 30 Aug 1914. He entered the war in France on 07 Oct 1914 with the 23rd Field Ambulance. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal "For conspicuous gallantry. During four consecutive days and nights he repeatedly went out, under heavy fire, and brought in wounded men." His other decorations include the 1914 Star (clasp and rose), the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was promoted to Cpl 21 Jan 1916. He returned to Canada in 25 May 1919 to his home in Eaton Corners, Cookshire, Quebec. He was transferred to Class "Z" Army Reserve on demobilization 27 Jun 1919. He lived in Cookshire for a few years then moved with his wife Maisie and two daughters to Pacific St in Sherbrooke, Quebec where he lived in the same house for the rest of his live. Due to PTSD suffered from his wartime service he was unable to resume his boilermaker trade and worked mostly as a general labourer. He was a long time member of the Royal Canadian Legion and died in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada 01 Sep 1966 at the age of 78. He is buried in a family plot in Elmwood Cemetery, Sherbrooke , Quebec with his wife and his daughter, Catherine, and son-in-law Douglas Davis.
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