Sep 25, 1892

Born to Israel and Margaret (nee Lahey) Blais at Clarence Ontario

Note that the 1911 Canadian Census shows his birth year as 1890

Feb 23, 1916

Attested into the 154^th Battalion at Thurso Quebec 

Ø      Number 633552

Ø      Next of kin given as Israel Blais, father, of Clarence Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Teamster

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Baptist

Oct 25, 1916

Embarked the RMS Mauretania at Halifax Nova Scotia

Oct 31, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England

Jan 31, 1917

The Battalion was absorbed into the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling

Apr 21, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 22, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at the Rouelles Camp, Havre France along with about 3,000 other reinforcements from England

TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Apr 24, 1917

Pte Blais left the CBD to join his Battalion

May 21, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the Support Trenches near Aux Rietz as part of a draft of 149 reinforcements

Aug 15, 1917

During the attack at Hill 70, Pte Blais received a wound to his head and was admitted to a field ambulance for first aid.  From there he was transferred to the Casualty Clearing Station, and then to the 1^st South African Hospital for treatment

Aug 18, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Carisbrook Castle

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

Aug 19, 1917

Admitted to section 8 of the Grouped Temporary Military Hospital at Exeter

Sep 10, 1917

Transferred to section 6 of the Temporary Hospital

Oct 13, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Monks Horton

Dec 13, 1917

Discharged from hospital and placed On Command to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) for light duties

Feb 7, 1918

Discharged from the 3^rd CCD and posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Feb 23, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Mar 28, 1918

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Mar 29, 1918

Arrived at the No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples France and TOS the 21^st Battalion

Apr 3, 1918

Left the CIBD and joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) at Calonne Ricouart along with 97 other reinforcements destined for the 21^st Battalion

Apr 8, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Wailly France, just south-west of Arras

Apr 13, 1918

Attached to the 2^nd Canadian Machine Gun Battalion for duty

May 4, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion

Aug 28, 1918

During the advance of the 21^st Battalion on the Sensee River, Pte Blais was killed and his body was never recovered from the battlefield.  Because of this, his name is honoured on the Vimy Ridge Memorial for those with no known graves

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs Israel Blais, at Clarence Ontario

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father at the same address