Mar 25, 1893

Born in Romania to Duntie (Bob) and Katherine (nee Vasela) Barbinski

Feb 13, 1915

Attested into the 59^th Battalion CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Number 454828

Ø  Next of kin given as Bob Barbe, father, Dorohoi, Romania

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Greek Catholic

Ø  Posted to the 2^nd Reinforcing Draft

He attested under the Anglicised name of John Barbe

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Nov 12, 1915

The 2nd Reinforcing Draft embarked the SS Missanabie in Montreal, Quebec

Nov 23, 1915

Disembarked in Plymouth, England and the draft proceeded to the West Sandling Camp where the men were absorbed into the 39th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Jan 7, 1916

He was admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital with a suspected fractured clavicle after he fell while walking in the dark. 

Jan 31, 1916

Transferred to the Monks Horton Hospital

Feb 1, 1916

After being assessed, he was discharged to duty from hospital

May 25, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

May 26, 1916

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

Jun 1, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Barbe joined the 21^st Battalion resting in the “A” Camp in Dikkebus, Belgium

Sep 15, 1916

During the attack on the sugar factory, south of Courcelette, France, Private Barbe received a concussion from a nearby shell explosion and was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 3 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station).  He was transported the same day via the No. 25 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 26 General Hospital in Etaples, France

Oct 6, 1916

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples

Oct 8, 1916

Transferred to the No. 5 Convalescent Depot in Cayeux, France

Nov 15, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France

Dec 16, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

Mar 5, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Barbe rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Bois des Alleux

May 23, 1917

Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment No. 1 and forfeited a total of 34 day’s pay for:

1.     Absent Without Leave from the trenches from 9 pm May 9 until 10 pm May 10, 1917

2.     Absent Without Leave from Fatigue Party 10 pm May 11 until reporting to camp at 2 pm May 14, 1917

Sep 7, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Sep 19, 1917

Rejoined the battalion in trenches at Roellecourt, France from leave

Sep 29, 1917

Admitted to the No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Oct 3, 1917

Transferred via the No. 32 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples, France

Nov 30, 1917

Discharged from hospital and reported to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Dec 10, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in Calonne Ricouart, France

Dec 14, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Barbe rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the trenches near Acheville, France

Apr 2, 1918

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance with a bruised left shoulder for first aid before being transported to the No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station

Apr 4, 1918

Transferred via the No. 20 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 47 General Hospital in Le Treport, France

May 7, 1918

Transferred to the No. 3 Convalescent Depot in Le Treport

May 21, 1918

After being discharged from hospital care, he joined the Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples, France

Jun 6, 1918

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

Jun 11, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Barbe rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the trenches at Ficheux, France

Aug 11, 1918

Declared to be Absent Without Leave

August 19, 1918

Reported for duty from being absent and placed in custody to await trial by Court Martial

Sep 12, 1918

Tried by FGCM (Field General Court Martial) and charged with:

1.     When on active service Desertion

Testimony was given that he was absent from August 11 to August 19, 1918.  He testified that he had gone to the YMCA to purchase cigarettes but when he returned, the battalion was gone and he wandered about until the 19^th trying to find the battalion.

He was found Not Guilty of Desertion, but Guilty of being Absent Without Leave and sentenced to 90 days Field Punishment No. 1.

Sep 18, 1918

Proceeded to Arras, France to serve his sentence

Nov 14, 1918

After being released from custody, Private Barbe rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Mesvin, Belgium

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Canadian Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Siegburg

Jan 29, 1919

Granted 14 days leave

Feb 15, 1919

Rejoined the battalion in Ham Sur Sambre, Belgium from leave

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

On arrival in England, he was attached to “P” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario by train

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 279955

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 65 Tyroll St., Toronto, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 45 Mitchell Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Jan 24, 1920

Married to Marie Steele in Toronto, Ontario

Jan 1, 1943

John George Barbe died while a patient of the St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario and was buried in the Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery in Toronto