Joseph Leo Baptiste

May 9, 1900

Born in Baptiste, Ontario to Robert Godfrey and Susan Baptiste

 

Mar 30, 1916

Attested into the 155th Battalion CEF in Bancroft, Ontario

Ø  Number 636992

Ø  Next of kin given as Susie Baptiste, mother, Bancroft, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

He lied about his age, stating he had been born May 6, 1897.  He was only 15 years old when he attested.  His birth registration states that both the mother and father were unknown.

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

 

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

 

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Dec 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 21st Battalion

 

Dec 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Baptiste joined the 21st Battalion in Bully Grenay, France

 

May 25, 1917

When his true age was revealed, he was removed from the front line and transferred to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France

 

May 31, 1917

Proceeded to England and was transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) in Seaford to be returned to Canada for discharge as a Minor

 

Oct 31, 1917

Attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

 

Nov 8, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Liverpool

 

 

Nov 14, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 3 Casualty Company

 

Dec 1, 1917

Transferred to the No. 3 Special Service Battalion and posted to the No. 3 Special Service Company in Kingston

 

Mar 7, 1918

Sentenced to 7 days CB (Confined to Barracks) and forfeited 4 days pay for being AWL (Absent Without Leave)

 

Apr 30, 1918

Sentenced to 7 days Detention and forfeited 10 days pay for an unrecorded offence

 

May 30, 1918

Medical exam at Fort Henry in Kingston notes

Ø  His actual age is noted as 18 years

Ø  He has flat feet and is unable to do any marching due to pain in his feet

 

Jun 1, 1918

Transferred to the No. 3 Battalion CGR (Canadian Garrison Regiment) in Kingston

 

Jun 12, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Bancroft, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Bancroft, Ontario

 

Mar 19, 1949

Joseph Baptiste was crushed between a truck and a railway car at a level crossing in Bancroft, Ontario while hauling timber and suffered severe internal injuries.  He was taken to the Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital in Toronto, Ontario

 

Mar 22, 1949

Joseph Leo Baptiste died while a patient of the Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital in Toronto of a ruptured intestine and was buried in the Maynooth, Ontario Roman Catholic Cemetery

 

 


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