Sep 26, 1892

Born in Petawawa, Ontario to Reverend Charles Vaughan Forster and Mary Letitia (nee Perry) Bliss

Nov 6, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario 

Ø      Number 59073 (temporary number 398)

Ø      Next of kin given as Reverend C.V. Forster Bliss, father, Smiths Falls, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Clerk

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company

o       This was later reorganized into “B” Company 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Jan 16, 1915

Tony Bliss played on the “D” Company hockey team in a game against “H” Company that included the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame member, Frank McGee.  “D” Company won that game 5 goals to 4.

Feb 18, 1915

Appointed to the provisional rank of Lance Corporal

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 

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal with pay

Jul 1, 1915

Confirmed in rank of Lance Corporal

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Promoted to the rank of Corporal

Jan 11, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Lance Sergeant to replace L/Sgt Weston 60049, who had been promoted

Mar 27, 1916

Granted leave to England until April 4, 1916

Apr 2, 1916

Admitted to the Duchess of Connaught Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Taplow Bucks, England with a diagnosis that reads Scabies and an infected foot 

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Jun 18, 1916

Transferred to Hillingdon House Convalescent Hospital in Uxbridge

Jun 23, 1916

Discharged from hospital to the CCAC

Jun 27, 1916

Posted to the 39^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling

Aug 21, 1916

Appointed in the rank of Temporary Lieutenant and attached to the 39^th Reserve Battalion from the General List of Officers

Aug 22, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant

Sep 6, 1916

TOS the permanent strength of the 39^th Reserve Battalion

Sep 21, 1916

Posted to the 19^th Battalion

Sep 22, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in Etaples, France and TOS the 19^th Battalion

Sep 24, 1916

Left the CBD and joined the 19^th Battalion in billets in Vadencourt

May 2, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Temporary Captain

Jun 12, 1917

Appointed as Acting Captain to replace Capt SH Johnston who had been wounded

Oct 26, 1917

Admitted to the No. 9 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Impetigo.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 44 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment

Oct 27, 1917

Transferred via the No. 9 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 3 General Hospital in Le Treport

Nov 9, 1917

Discharged from hospital and arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Nov 19, 1917

Left the CIBD and joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart

Nov 24, 1917

Left the CCRC and rejoined the 19^th Battalion in the Suburban Camp near Villers au Bois

Dec 11, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

Dec 29, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Jan 10, 1918

Granted 3 days leave to Boulogne

Jan 19, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Mar 4, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Acting Major while employed as the 2^nd In Command of the 19^th Battalion

May 28, 1918

Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette #30706

Jun 12, 1918

Relinquished the rank of Acting Major

Aug 8, 1918

During the advance on and capture of the town of Marcelcave, France, Capt Bliss was recommended for a gallantry award for his heroic actions in both saving lives, and successfully attaining the objective

Aug 14, 1918

Granted 14 days leave to London

Sep 3, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Sep 30, 1918

Appointed to the position of Adjutant of the 19^th Battalion

Oct 4, 1918

Awarded the DSO (Distinguished Service Order) per London Gazette #31119.  The citation reads: 

“For conspicuous gallantry and cool courage.  This officer was given charge of all the attacking troops of his battalion. 

Shortly after crossing the enemy front line he received word that his left was held up.  He at once organized the troops in the vicinity, leading them personally in the attack against a strong point under heavy machine-gun fire, overcame the opposition, killing all the garrison, and enabling the attack to steadily advance. 

He rushed with a few men the village, taking numerous prisoners.  Later, with only three others, he captured a senior commander and his staff, in all 35, from one building.  He then established and organized a line about half a mile in advance.  Throughout, a heavy mist made his task the more difficult.”

Jan 8, 1919

Relinquished the position of Adjutant to Capt. JE Johnson

Jan 9, 1919

Appointed to the rank of Acting Major

Apr 5, 1919

Embarked for England and on arrival was TOS “O” Wing at Witley pending returning to Canada

May 13, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

Relinquished the rank of Acting Major

TOS Military District No. 2 in Toronto, Ontario

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario

Jun 18, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto 

Ø      Rank on discharge Major

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Smiths Falls, Ontario 

On discharge he was transferred to the Reserve List of Officers 

Following his discharge the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Smiths Falls

Dec 31, 1919

Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette #31089

Jun 15, 1921

Married to Anna Louise Pickard in Byng Inlet, Ontario

Feb 8, 1960

Robert Hamilton Bliss DSO, died in Port Arthur, Ontario with the rank of Colonel and was buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Port Arthur.