Jun 21, 1893

Born in Birmingham, England to John and Lucy (nee Seargill) Foley

Dec 2, 1915

Attested into the 123^rd Battalion CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Number 766188

Ø  Next of kin given as Lucy Foley, mother, 61 Hilton Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Steamfitter

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “A” Company

Feb 22, 1916

He requested a transfer to the 154^th Battalion so that he could serve with his brother, Frank Foley, and it was denied.  Norman Foley deserted the 123^rd Battalion and proceeded to Cornwall, Ontario to be with his brother by attesting under an assumed name.  Ironically, his brother was actually serving in the 75^th Battalion in Toronto.

He was discharged from the CEF effective this date as a Deserter

Feb 26, 1916

Attested into the 154^th Battalion, CEF in Cornwall, Ontario with the assumed name of Frank Baxter

Ø  Number 633554

Ø  Next of kin given as John Baxter, father, 53 Raglan Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

He gave his birth date as June 20, 1895

The battalion trained in the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

Mar 16, 1916

Court of Inquiry held in Toronto declared him to be a Deserter and that he be discharged effective February 22, 1916

Jun 14, 1916

Forfeited 8 day’s pay for being absent from June 7 until June 14, 1918

Jun 21, 1916

Forfeited 3 day’s pay for being absent from June 19 until June 21, 1918

Jul 12, 1916

Sentenced to 3 months Imprisonment in Hard Labour in Kingston for being absent

Oct 25, 1916

Embarked the SS Mauretania in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott to continue training

Jan 25, 1917

Transferred to the 156^th Battalion in Witley

May 23, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

May 24, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Jun 11, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Baxter joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Coupigny, France

Jul 3, 1917

On July 3^rd, 1917 the 21^st Battalion moved into billets in the town of Bouvigny-Boyeffles and began training for the attack on Hill 70.  During their off time, many of the men carved their names on walls in the town.  Private Baxter carved his name on the wall that surrounded the chateau that housed the 21^st Battalion Headquarters near his billet.  Thanks to Patrice Machin’s ongoing research, we have a photo of his name on that wall

Aug 15, 1917

During the attack on Hill 70 near Lens, France, Private Baxter received a shrapnel wound that fractured his left arm.  He was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 23 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Aug 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 3 General Hospital in Le Treport, France

Sep 9, 1917

Surgery was performed to amputate his left hand above the wrist

Oct 11, 1917

Transported to Havre, France by No. 34 AT (Ambulance Train)

Oct 13, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Panama

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 2^nd Birmingham War Hospital in Northfield, Birmingham

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

Dec 5, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Feb 6, 1918

Transferred to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital in Buxton

May 13, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Kirkdale, Birmingham

May 31, 1918

Embarked the SS Goorhka in Avonmouth

Jun 11, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 2 Casualty Company and admitted to the MOH (Military Orthopedic Hospital) Davisville Wing

On arrival he was assessed and granted leave until June 25, 1918

Jul 6, 1918

Granted leave until September 8, 1918

Jul 9, 1918

Attended the Toronto General Hospital for examination of a deformed nose.  He was diagnosed with a depressed bridge caused by falling from a horse 5 years earlier.

Feb 17, 1919

Discharged to duty from the Military Orthopedic Hospital

Feb 19, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 54301

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C54571

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 53 Raglan Road, Toronto, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 39 Robert St., Toronto, Ontario

Apr 5, 1919

Married to Ida Lily Attwell in Toronto, Ontario

Nov 22, 1921

He signed a sworn declaration in Toronto, Ontario that he had enlisted in December 1915 under his proper name of Norman Foley.  He then stated that he enlisted again in February 1916 using the assumed name of Frank Baxter.

Nov 27, 1963

Norman Foley died in Scarborough, Ontario and was buried in the Pine Hills Cemetery, Scarborough