Ernest Harold Billings

 

Aug 12, 1897

Born in Brockville, Ontario to Henry and Laura Hanna (nee Beckinsale) Billings

 

Dec 1, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø      Number 59064 (temporary number 1135)

Ø      Next of kin given as Mr. H. Billings, father, 334 Brock St., Brockville, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Shoemaker

o       Later recorded as Sadler

Ø      Previous military experience given as 1 year in the 41st Regiment, Canadian Militia, in Brockville, Ontario

Ø      Assigned to the Depot Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston area throughout the winter of 1914-15

 

Apr 28, 1915

Ernest’s brother, James, was killed in action serving with the 2nd Battalion CEF and Ernest vowed to avenge his death.

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent, to continue training

 

Aug 2, 1915

Posted to “A” Company from the Depot Company

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Oct 3, 1915

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Appendicitis.  This was then changed to read Enteritis

 

Nov 22, 1915

Discharged to duty from the CFA

 

Mar 16, 1916

Attached to the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade and employed as a Batman to Padre WE Kidd, Chaplain of the 21st Battalion.  Both he and Padre Kidd remained attached to the battalion for duty.

 


 

Oct 22, 1916

Proceeded on the Bombing Course

 

Nov 1, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from the Bombing Course

 

Dec 1, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

 

Dec 22, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

 

Jan 3, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

 

Dec 6, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

 

Dec 23, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

 

Aug 1, 1918

While marching to the training area, he turned his ankle on a stone and was admitted to the No. 5 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with an accidental fracture of his right leg.  It was later determined to only be a severe sprain of the right ankle.  This was then changed to read Potts Fracture.

 

Aug 6, 1918

Transferred by ambulance train to No. 5 General Hospital

 

Aug 8, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Gloucester Castle

On arrival in England he was admitted to the No. 4 Canadian General Hospital in Basingstoke.

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital

 

Sep 9, 1918

Transferred to the Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Bexhill

 

Sep 20, 1918

Discharged from hospital and posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford, and given 10 days sick leave

 

Oct 30, 1918

Admitted to the Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Bexhill with an infected abscess in the right ankle.  This was a complication from his original injury.

 

Jan 28, 1919

Discharged to duty

 

Feb 13, 1919

Posted to MD Wing #3, Kinmel Park, Rhyl, pending return to Canada

 

Feb 22, 1919

Embarked the SS Belgic in Liverpool

 

Feb 25. 1919

Admitted to the ship’s infirmary diagnosed with Sea Sickness

 

Mar 1, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and admitted to hospital

 

Mar 6, 1919

Transferred to the DD #6 Casualty Company

 

Mar 7, 1919

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the #3 District Depot, Kingston, Ontario

 

Mar 26, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued, number 91080

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge 38 Alma St., Kingston, Ontario

Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 1237 Wellington St., Ottawa, Ontario

 

Jun 24, 1919

Married to Marie (Melissa) Saborin in Brockville, Ontario

Occupation listed as Brakeman with the GTR (Grand Trunk Railway)

 


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