Jan 4, 1894

Born in Dundee, Scotland

Mar 30, 1916

Attested into the 70^th Battalion CEF in London, Ontario

Ø  Number 124675

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Bremner, mother, 23 Arbroath Road, Dundee, Scotland

Ø  Previous occupation given as Leather Worker

o   Later noted as Grocer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Assigned to “A” Company

Apr 26, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

May 5, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Shorncliffe

May 12, 1916

Admitted to the Shorncliffe Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

 
It is noted that the probable date of infection was in September of 1915 while in Ireland

May 15, 1916

Transferred to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe

May 22, 1916

While in hospital he was diagnosed with Mumps and transferred to the isolation unit in Folkestone

Jun 5, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital and his pay was deducted at the rate of 60¢ per day for his hospital stay

Jun 7, 1916

Re-admitted to the Moore Barracks hospital with recurring symptoms of his infection

Jun 12, 1916

Transferred to the Barnwell Military Hospital for further treatment

Jul 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling while in hospital

Aug 15, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Sep 21, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 22, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 143 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 9, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Bremner joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Fieffes, France and was assigned to “A” Company

Jan 9, 1917

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads DAH (Disordered Activity of the Heart)

Jan 10, 1917

Transferred to the No. 18 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment

Jan 12, 1917

Transferred via No. 31 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne to continue his recovery

Jan 28, 1917

After being declared fit for base duty, he was discharged from hospital care and joined the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Jan 31, 1917

Admitted to the No. 2 Canadian General Hospital (aka Casino Hospital) in Le Treport with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis.  This was later changed to read Influenza

Feb 6, 1917

Discharged from hospital and rejoined “A” Company at the base depot in the Rouelles Camp

Feb 18, 1917

Granted emergency leave to Scotland to tend to his dying father.  Upon completion of leave he was ordered to rejoin the 21^st Battalion

Feb 24, 1917

Private Bremner joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin as part of a draft of 68 reinforcements destined to join the 21^st Battalion

Mar 5, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Division Reserve in Bois des Alleux

May 23, 1917

Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment #1 for being absent from the trenches without permission from 9 pm May 9, to 5 pm May 15, and forfeited 7 days pay

Sep 20, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Oct 1, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Nov 11, 1917

Admitted to the No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Nov 13, 1917

Transferred to the No. 11 Canadian Field Ambulance

Nov 15, 1917

Transferred to the No. 12 Canadian Field Ambulance

Nov 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 98 Field Ambulance

Nov 28, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion after being released from hospital care

May 3, 1918

Declared to be a Deserter after it was discovered that he was absent when the battalion formed up to move into the front line trench.  Interesting to note that he had been paid 2 days earlier

May 6, 1918

Arrested and taken into custody

May 21, 1918

Brought before a Field General Courts Martial on the charge of Desertion.  He was found not guilty of that charge, but guilty of being AWL (Absent Without Leave).  He was sentenced to 90 days of Field Punishment #1, but this was reduced by the General Officer Commanding to 48 days Field Punishment #1 and forfeiture of 4 days pay.  Note that he received no pay while serving the punishment.

Aug 6, 1918

While the battalion was moving into position for the attack on Marcelcave, an enemy 5.9 inch artillery shell landed among the troops of “A” Company killing 18 men and wounding several others.  Private Bremner was among those wounded, receiving shrapnel wounds to his arms.  He was evacuated to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transferred to the No. 47 Casualty Clearing Station for further treatment. 

Aug 7, 1918

He was transferred via the No. 26 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 9 USA General Hospital in Rouen

Aug 10, 1918

Transferred to the No. 73 General Hospital in Trouville to continue his treatment

Aug 27, 1918

Transferred to the No 14 Convalescent Depot in Trouville to continue his recovery

Sep 22, 1918

After being discharged from hospital care, Private Bremner was transferred to the No. 2 Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples

Sep 25, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast

Sep 26, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, he rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the rear area near Riencourt, France

Oct 12, 1918

During an advance on the town of Avesnes-le-Sec, France, the battalion came under heavy resistance and Private Bremner was once again wounded by shrapnel, this time in his right shoulder and evacuated to the No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station for treatment

Oct 13, 1918

Transferred via the No. 6 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 2 Australian General Hospital in Boulogne for treatment

Oct 16, 1918

Transferred to the No. 7 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne to continue his recovery

Oct 21, 1918

After being discharged from hospital care he once again joined the base depot in Etaples

Oct 30, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the reinforcement camp in Aubin St. Vaast

Nov 2, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Bremner rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Auberchicourt, north of Cambrai, France

Nov 9, 1918

Granted 14 days leave.  While on leave, a truce was declared and the war ended.

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion crossed the Bonn Bridge and entered Germany as part of the occupying force to keep the peace

Dec 17, 1918

Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment No. 1 for refusing to obey an order given by an NCO

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre for England

 
On arrival in England he was posted to “G” Wing pending return to Canada

Attached to the 24^th Battalion CEF for the purpose of returning to Canada with that battalion

Apr 9, 1919

Medical Board in Witley notes defective vision due to Hyperopia in his left eye as well as slight loss of vision in his right eye.  This was determined to be a congenital condition, not caused by his military service.  Also noted that he does not wear glasses

May 10, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

 
Taken On Strength District Depot #4 in Montreal

May 16, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Montreal, Quebec

May 19, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Montreal, Quebec

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 297669

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Montreal, Quebec

 
Following the war, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 23 Arbroath Road, Dundee, Scotland

Shown is the Allied Victory Medal.  If you know the location of
his British War Medal, please contact the webmaster

Jan 29, 1955

Deceased