Apr 9, 1896

Born in Vancouver, British Columbia to Arthur and Mary (nee Bishop) Balkwill

May 22, 1916

Attested into the 211^th Battalion CEF in Vancouver, British Columbia

Ø  Number 258258

Ø  Next of kin given as Mary Balkwill, mother, 76 – 6^th Ave. W., Vancouver, British Columbia

Ø  Previous occupation given as Steamboat Engineer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Jun 7, 1916

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Jul 3, 1916

A Court of Inquiry was held and Private Balkwill was declared to be a Deserter and Struck Off Strength of the 211^th Battalion

Nov 13, 1917

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at Vancouver, British Columbia

Jan 17, 1918

Conscripted into the 1^st Depot Battalion, BCR (British Columbia Regiment) under the MSA in Vancouver, British Columbia

Ø  Number 2020567

Ø  Next of kin given as Arthur Balkwill, father, 76 – 6^th Ave. W., Vancouver, British Columbia

Ø  Previous occupation given as Seaman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Posted to the Regiment’s 11^th Draft

Jan 20, 1918

Admitted to the Victoria Hospital with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Feb 4, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 4, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal

May 15, 1918

The regiment’s 11^th Draft embarked the SS Ajana in Halifax, Nova Scotia

May 27, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Seaford where the draft was placed in Segregation to ensure there were no cases of Influenza in the group

Taken On Strength of the 1^st Reserve Battalion

Reverted to the rank of Private on arrival

Jun 11, 1918

Joined the 1^st Reserve Battalion in Seaford to continue training

Sep 13, 1918

Transferred to the 29^th Battalion

Sep 14, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 29^th Battalion

Sep 16, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Sep 19, 1918

Before he could join the 29^th Battalion, he was diverted and transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 20, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Balkwill joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line just west of Canal du Nord near the Arras – Cambrai Road

Oct 11, 1918

During the capture of Iwuy, France, Private Balkwill received a shrapnel wound to his right leg and was evacuated to the No. 9 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station

Oct 12, 1918

Transferred to the No. 4 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Oct 17, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 1^st Eastern General Hospital in Cambridge

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Dec 5, 1918

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Jan 13, 1919

Discharged from hospital and attached to the 1^st CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training and exercise in Witley

Granted 10 days leave

Feb 5, 1919

Discharged from hospital care and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Feb 15, 1919

Attached to Military District No. 11 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

Feb 17, 1919

Admitted to the Kinmel Park Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis

Feb 21, 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 10, 1919

Embarked the SS Celtic in Liverpool

Mar 18, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Mar 26, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Vancouver, British Columbia

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 64140

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 76 Sixth Ave. W., Vancouver, British Columbia

Although he was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medals, there is no indication in his file that they were ever sent to him

Sep 17, 1919

Married to Esther Caroline Thorpe in Vancouver, British Columbia

Jun 7, 1950

Arthur Cecil Balkwill died in Vancouver, British Columbia