Mar 31, 1890

Born Hawkesbury, Ontario to David and Denise (nee Sauve) Belair

Feb 22, 1916

Attested into the 154^th Battalion CEF in Alexandria, Ontario

Ø  Number 633525

Ø  Next of kin given as David Belair, father, Alexandria, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to “D” Company

The battalion trained in the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

Apr 6, 1916

Admitted to the Cornwall, Ontario Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Grippe (the flu)

Apr 12, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

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 3, 1917

Admitted to the Connaught Hospital in Bramshott with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Jan 31, 1917

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford while in hospital

Feb 3, 1917

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

Feb 10, 1917

Admitted to the Etchinghill Hospital for treatment of his Gonorrhea infection

Mar 9, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital and placed under arrest when it was discovered that he had stolen some articles from 3 different soldiers

May 7, 1917

Sentenced to 98 days detention in the Aldershot Detention Barracks for:

 1.     theft of a comrade’s watch on March 4

2.     theft of a comrade’s razor and razor strop on March 5

3.     theft of an electric torch on March 7

The offences occurred while he was a patient of the Etchinghill Hospital.  He pled guilty to all 3 charges.  In his defence he stated he was unhappy with the work he was asked to do while in hospital as well as the lack of food being served.  He just wanted to leave and go to the front

He was transported to the Wandsworth Prison in London to serve his sentence

Jun 15, 1917

Transferred to the Aldershot Detention Barracks

Jul 27, 1917

Released from detention barracks on remission of 15 days of his sentence and joined the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Oct 26, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 27, 1917

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

Oct 30, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) near Calonne-Ricouart, France

Nov 20, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Belair joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Camblain L’Abbe, France and was posted to “C” Company

During his time with the 21^st Battalion, Private Belair was in the area of Bouvigny-Boyeffles, France several times.  On one of those occasions, he entered the church there and carved his name in the stone wall.  This was discovered and photographed by Patrice Machin and shared with out website

Aug 8, 1918

During the capture of Marcelcave, France, Private Belair was reported to be Missing in Action.  He was located shortly after, with a bullet wound, and evacuated to a casualty clearing station

Aug 9, 1918

Transferred to the No. 16 General Hospital in Le Treport, France

Aug 17, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Carisbrooke Castle

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Reading War Hospital

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

Sep 3, 1918

Surgery performed to amputate the 2^nd finger of his left hand

Oct 10, 1918

Transferred to the Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital in the Cooden Camp, Bexhill

Dec 10, 1918

Discharged from hospital and attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

Granted 10 days sick leave

Dec 23, 1918

Sentenced to 30 days in the Pentonville Prison by a civil court for the theft of a Valise.

Jan 14, 1919

Released from the Pentonville Prison and forfeited 21s day’s pay for his time in prison. 

Attached to the CMGD (Canadian Machine Gun Depot) in Seaford for quarters and rations

Feb 25, 1919

Ceased to be attached and reported to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford

Apr 12, 1919

Transferred to Military District No. 3 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

May 7, 1919

Embarked the SS Celtic in Liverpool

May 15, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 3 Sub Depot

May 17, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 184603

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Alexandria, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Alexandria, Ontario

Apr 24, 1921

Married to Bernadette Bedard in Alexandria, Ontario