James Charles Ratcliff-Smith

Photograph

-

Fred Light Museum

Name/Title

James Charles Ratcliff-Smith

Entry/Object ID

FL-2026-33-13

Photograph Details

Subject Person or Organization

James Charles Ratcliff-Smith

Context

James Charles Ratcliff-Smith Regimental No. 10181351881-1954"5th (Western Cavalry) Battalion, CEF" Top of Page (Handwritten & Stamped Notations) * Top Left: B-60 * Top Center: 232nd BATTALION C.E.F. * Top Right: Original / No. 1018135 ATTESTATION PAPER. CANADIAN OVER-SEAS EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. Questions to be Put Before Attestation (Questions on the left, typed or handwritten answers on the right) 1. What is your surname? * Ratcliff-Smith 2. 1a. What are your Christian names? * James Charles 3. 1b. What is your present address? * Battleford, Sask. 4. 2. In what Town, Township or Parish, and in what Country were you born? * Edinburgh, Scotland 5. 3. What is the name of your next-of-kin? * Elisabeth Ratcliff-Smith 6. 4. What is the address of your next-of-kin? * Battleford, Sask. 7. 4a. What is the relationship of your next-of-kin? * Wife. 8. 5. What is the date of your birth? * Dec. 31st, 1881 9. 6. What is your Trade or Calling? * Farmer. 10. 7. Are you married? * Yes. 11. 8. Are you willing to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated and inoculated? * Yes. 12. 9. Do you now belong to the Active Militia? * No. 13. 10. Have you ever served in any Military Force? * No. 14. 11. Do you understand the nature and terms of your engagement? * Yes. 15. 12. Are you willing to be attested to serve in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force? * Yes. Declaration to be Made by Man on Attestation I, James Charles Ratcliff-Smith, do solemnly declare that the above are answers made by me to the above questions and that they are true, and that I am willing to fulfil the engagements by me now made, and I hereby engage and agree to serve in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force, and to be attached to any arm of the service therein, for the term of one year, or during the war now existing between Great Britain and Germany should that war last longer than one year, and for six months after the termination of that war provided His Majesty should so long require my services, or until legally discharged. * Date: April 11th, 1916 * Signature of Recruit: J. C. Ratcliff-Smith * Signature of Witness: S. S. Caulkin Oath to be Taken by Man on Attestation I, James Charles Ratcliff-Smith, do make Oath, that I will be faithful and bear true Allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth, His Heirs and Successors, and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, in Person, Crown and Dignity, against all enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, and of all the Generals and Officers set over me. So help me God. * Date: April 11th, 1916 * Signature of Recruit: J. C. Ratcliff-Smith * Signature of Witness: S. S. Caulkin Certificate of Magistrate The Recruit above-named was cautioned by me that if he made any false answer to any of the above questions he would be liable to be punished as provided in the Army Act. The above questions were then read to the Recruit in my presence. I have taken care that he understands each question, and that his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to, and the said Recruit has made and signed the declaration and taken the oath before me, at Battleford, Saskatchewan this 11th day of April, 1916. * Signature of Justice: W. Laurie * Title: Justice of the Peace * Bottom Left Stamp: M. F. W. 23 / 200 M.-3-16 / H. Q. 1772-39-841 Description of James Charles Radcliffe-Smith on Enlistment. Physical Description * Apparent Age: 34 years 3 months. (To be determined according to the instructions given in the Regulations for Army Medical Services.) * Height: 5 ft. 7 ins. * Chest Measurement: * Girth when fully expanded: 38 ins. * Range of expansion: 4 ins. * Complexion: Ruddy * Eyes: Brown * Hair: Brown Religious Denominations * Church of England: Yes * Presbyterian: — * Methodist: — * Baptist or Congregationalist: — * Roman Catholic: — * Jewish: — * Other denominations: — (Denomination to be stated.) Distinctive Marks Distinctive marks, and marks indicating congenital peculiarities or previous disease. (Should the Medical Officer be of opinion that the recruit has served before, he will, unless the man acknowledges to any previous service, attach a slip to that effect, for the information of the Approving Officer). * Three vaccination marks left arm. * Scar outer angle of left eye. Certificate of Medical Examination I have examined the above-named Recruit and find that he does not present any of the causes of rejection specified in the Regulations for Army Medical Services. He can see at the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs, and he declares that he is not subject to fits of any description. * I consider him: fit for the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force. * Date: April 11th, 1916 * Place: Battleford * Signature: W. G. McVicar * Rank: Lieut. A.M.C., Medical Officer. Certificate of Officer Commanding Unit James C. Ratcliff-Smith having been finally approved and inspected by me this day, and his Name, Age, Date of Attestation, and every prescribed particular having been recorded, I certify that I am satisfied with the correctness of this Attestation. * Signature of Officer: W. B. [Homer] Captain * For: O.C. (Officer Commanding) * Date: April 11th, 1916

Web Links and URLs

5th Battalion (Western Cavalry), CEF

Created By

Justin M. Miller

Create Date

August 30, 2026

Updated By

Justin M. Miller

Update Date

September 12, 2026