Albert Gosford "Ab" Acheson

 

 

Sep 6, 1892

Born in Westmeath, Ontario to Alexander M. and Elizabeth (nee Jackson) Acheson

 

Nov 6, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø      Number 59001 (temporary number 388)

Ø      Next of kin given as Alexander Acheson, father, Pembroke, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Telephone Lineman

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Wesleyan

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company

o       This was later reorganized into “B” Company

o       He was later assigned to the Signals Section

The battalion trained in the Kingston area with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries.  It is worthy to note that even though he was assigned the lowest number in the number series allotted to the battalion, he was not the first recruit to attest as these numbers were assigned alphabetically.

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Sep 20, 1915

Attached to the 4th Brigade Cycle Company for duty

 

Apr 25, 1916

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Myalgia.  He was transferred the same day to No. 5 CFA.  Both feet were swollen and both legs were very painful

 

Apr 29, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 CFA

 

May 3, 1916

Transferred to the No. 17 CCS (Canadian Casualty Clearing Station) with suspected Rheumatic Fever.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples via No. 14 AT (Ambulance Train)

 

May 9, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven

Admitted to the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary on arrival in England.

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) while in hospital in England

 

Jun 21, 1916

Transferred to the 1 / 5 Northern General Hospital in Leicester

 

Jul 6, 1916

Transferred to the King’s Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Bushy Park

 

Jul 7, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Buxton, Derbyshire and Hyper Thyroidism is added to the diagnosis and a Goitre is noted, along with flat feet.  While here, orthopedic boots were ordered for him.  A heart murmur was also noted.

 

Sep 6, 1916

Transferred to the Moore Barracks Military Hospital in Shorncliffe

 

Sep 13, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the CCAC, Folkstone

 

Sep 21, 1916

On Command to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Bath pending return to Canada

 

Oct 10, 1916

Embarked the SS Mauretania in Liverpool

Oct 18, 1916

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Quebec City, Quebec

 

Jul 12, 1917

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      War Service Badges Class “A” and Class “B” issued, numbers not recorded

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Pembroke, Ontario

He was initially noted as being discharged November 10, 1916, but this was cancelled in order to receive medical treatment.

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him in Pembroke

 

Mar 12, 1918

Married to Mary Ellen Miller in Renfrew, Ontario

Following the war he was employed by Bell Canada, initially in Pembroke, but transferred to the Belleville location in 1942, retiring in 1959.

 

Apr 3, 1960

Albert Acheson died of an accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa, Ontario.  His widow is listed as Mrs. Mary Acheson, 30 Sidney St. S., Belleville, Ontario

 

 
From the August 1960 issue of The Communiqué, the 21st Battalion Association post war newsletter

 


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