Sgt. Percy Robert Risdale - 5th Battalion Western Cavalry

Photograph

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Fred Light Museum

Name/Title

Sgt. Percy Robert Risdale - 5th Battalion Western Cavalry

Entry/Object ID

FL-2026-33-18

Photograph Details

Subject Person or Organization

Percy Robert Risdale

Context

Sgt. Percy Robert Risdale - 5th Battalion Western Cavalry Percy, born in 1892 in North Hampton, England, came with his family to Canada with the Barr Colonists in 1903. His father, Robert Risdale, a shoemaker, by trade worked for a time teaching the trade at the Indian Industrial School at Battleford. He then went into business in Battleford and eventually opened Risdale's General Store. Percy served 5 years in the 22nd Saskatchewan Light Horse before going overseas, and T.O.S. in the 5th Bn. Western Cavalry. Percy returned, at war's end, to Battleford where he joined his father in the store, which continued its operation for many years. Percy and Bella Risdale's son, Gerald, served in the Navy in WWII and also had a daughter, Margaret. Percy was a member of the Great War Veterans Association at Battleford and President in 1924, and again in 1938/39 and in 1946 he served as Mayor of Battleford. Percy retired to Victoria in the 1950's and passed away on November 3, 1978 in Saskatoon. Attestation Paper Transcription Top of Page (Handwritten & Stamped Notations) * Top Center: 232nd BATTALION C.E.F. / 2571916 (partially faint date stamp) * Top Right: No. 1018247 ATTESTATION PAPER. CANADIAN OVER-SEAS EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. Questions to be Put Before Attestation 1. What is your surname? * Ridsdale. 2. 1a. What are your Christian names? * Percy Robert. 3. 1b. What is your present address? * Battleford Sask. Canada 4. 2. In what Town, Township or Parish, and in what Country were you born? * Northampton England 5. 3. What is the name of your next-of-kin? * Mrs. M. Ridsdale. 6. 4. What is the address of your next-of-kin? * Battleford Sask. Canada. 7. 4a. What is the relationship of your next-of-kin? * Mother. 8. 5. What is the date of your birth? * 12th. August 1893. 9. 6. What is your Trade or Calling? * Farmer. 10. 7. Are you married? * No. 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? * 22nd. Light Horse. 4 Years. 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, Percy Robert Ridsdale, do solemnly declare that the above are answers made by me to the above questions and that they are true... * Date: March 15th, 1916 * Signature of Recruit: Percy Robert Ridsdale * Signature of Witness: J. G. Rowe Oath to be Taken by Man on Attestation I, Percy Robert Ridsdale, do make Oath, that I will be faithful and bear true Allegiance... * Date: March 15th, 1916 * Signature of Recruit: Percy Robert Ridsdale * Signature of Witness: J. G. Rowe Certificate of Magistrate The Recruit above-named was cautioned by me... taken the oath before me, at Saskatoon Sask this 17th day of March, 1916. * Signature of Justice: H. F. Browne Jr. Attestation Paper Transcription## Header Description of Percy Robert Ridsdale on Enlistment. Physical Description * Apparent Age: 22 years 7 months. (To be determined according to the instructions given in the Regulations for Army Medical Services.) * Height: 5 ft. 8 1/2 ins. * Chest Measurement: * Girth when fully expanded: 35 ins. * Range of expansion: 2 1/2 ins. * Complexion: Fair * Eyes: Brown * Hair: D. Brown (Dark Brown) Religious Denominations * Church of England: — * Presbyterian: — * Methodist: Yes * Baptist or Congregationalist: — * Roman Catholic: — * Jewish: — * Other denominations: — Distinctive Marks Distinctive marks, and marks indicating congenital peculiarities or previous disease. (blank) 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: March 15th, 1916 * Place: Saskatoon Sask. * Signature: [A. C. Rowe] Major, C.A.M.C., Medical Officer. Certificate of Officer Commanding Unit Percy Robert Ridsdale 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: J. H. [Gonne] Major, for O.C. * Date: March 15th, 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