Robert Morton Barrett


Mar 25, 1900

Born in Bedford, Nova Scotia to George Robert and Annie Alberta (nee Caudle) Barrett

 
(birth date taken from the 1901 and 1921 Canadian Census)

 

Mar 3, 1916

Attested into the 64th Battalion CEF in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Ø  Number 471154

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Annie Barrett, mother, Bedford, Nova Scotia

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

 
He lied about his age stating that he had been born March 23, 1898

 

Mar 31, 1916

Embarked the SS Adriatic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Apr 9, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Shorncliffe

 

Jul 6, 1916

Transferred to the 40th Reserve Battalion in Shorncliffe to continue training

 

Jul 13, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Jul 14, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 76 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion and assigned to “A” Company

 

Aug 23, 1916

Admitted to the Rouelles Camp Detention Hospital and classified “C” for being “immature”. 

 

Aug 24, 1916

Proceeded to Folkestone, England and posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes

 
This was done without him having physically joined the 21st Battalion even though he had been added to the payroll

 

Aug 29, 1916

Attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Bath pending returning to Canada for discharge

 
Medical Board declares him to be category “PB” (Permanent Base) meaning that he is only fit for base duty and unfit for front line service.

 

Sep 29, 1916

SOS (Struck Off Strength) on proceeding to Canada

 

Oct 1, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Liverpool

 

 

Oct 5, 1916

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Oct 7, 1916

Medical Board in Halifax recommends that he be discharged from the service because of his age

 

Oct 21, 1916

Discharged from the CEF as “no longer physically fit for war service” as he was underage at 16 years of age.

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 35085

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number 18735

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Bedford, Nova Scotia

 
Following his discharge the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Bedford, Nova Scotia

 

Feb 4, 1918

Admitted to the Pine Hill Convalescent Hospital in Halifax with a diagnosis that reads DAH (Disordered Activity of the Heart)

 

May 13, 1919

Discharged from Pine Hill Hospital to the care of the ISC (Invalided Soldiers Commission) for further treatment

 
Robert Morton Barrett died in 1964 and is buried in the All Saints Cemetery in Bedford Nova Scotia


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