Pte. Frank Savino

The First World War - The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 113th & 16th Battalions 

Pte. Frank Savino was born on March 14, 1891, in “Fojje,” Italy, likely referring to Foggia in southern Italy. He worked as a labourer and resided in Lethbridge, Alberta, where his mother was also living at the time of his enlistment. He enlisted in Lethbridge on August 26, 1916, joining the 113th Battalion (Lethbridge Highlanders), a unit raised in southern Alberta that drew recruits from across Lethbridge, Calgary, and surrounding districts.

After training in Alberta, the 113th Battalion sailed from Halifax aboard the SS Tuscania on September 27, 1916, arriving in England on October 6, 1916. Like many Canadian units arriving overseas during this period, the battalion was broken up to provide reinforcements for front-line formations.

Pte. Savino was posted to the 17th Reserve Battalion in England from October 10, 1916, to November 12, 1916, before proceeding to France, where he was taken on strength with the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) on November 12, 1916. He served with this battalion on the Western Front until March 10, 1918.

While serving in France, Pte. Savino was wounded by a gunshot wound on March 4, 1918, resulting in the amputation of his left thumb. His injury ended his front-line service, after which he was moved through the Canadian reinforcement and recovery system, including time with the 3rd Canadian Command Depot and the Manitoba Regimental Depot.

For his service, Pte. Savino was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal in recognition of his overseas service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War.

Pte. Savino survived the war and later returned to civilian life in Canada. He died on January 3, 1981, and was buried at Erin Cemetery, Erin, Ontario.

His service record reflects both the combat experience of Italian immigrants serving in front-line Canadian battalions and the long administrative and medical system that managed wounded soldiers during and after the First World War.

Sources: Library and Archives Canada (Personnel Records of the First World War, Canadian Expeditionary Force service file B8673-S007; attestation papers; LAC ID 215267).

Research and compiled by Luigi Audia