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 154th 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 6th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling
|
Apr 21, 1917
|
Transferred to
the 21st 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 21st Battalion
|
Apr 24, 1917
|
Pte Blais left
the CBD to join his Battalion
|
May 21, 1917
|
Joined the 21st
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 1st 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 3rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) for
light duties
|
Feb 7, 1918
|
Discharged from
the 3rd CCD and posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion at Seaford
|
Feb 23, 1918
|
Awarded the Good
Conduct Badge
|
Mar 28, 1918
|
Posted to the 21st
Battalion
|
Mar 29, 1918
|
Arrived at the
No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples France and TOS the 21st
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 21st Battalion
|
Apr 8, 1918
|
Rejoined the 21st
Battalion in billets in Wailly France, just south-west of Arras
|
Apr 13, 1918
|
Attached to the
2nd Canadian Machine Gun Battalion for duty
|
May 4, 1918
|
Rejoined the 21st
Battalion
|
Aug 28, 1918
|
During the
advance of the 21st 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
|