John Brice, MM


Above was taken during the 1936 Pilgrimage to Vimy Ridge for the Memorial's unveiling

 

 

May 16, 1888

Born at London England

 

Nov 25, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Number 59093 (temporary number 1116)

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs EJ Brice (mother) of 38 Roding Rd, Clapton Pk, London England

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Brethern

Ø      Initial Company assignment not recorded in file, but when in France served in No 9 Platoon, “C” Company as a runner

 

 

Mar 21, 1915

Admitted to Kingston Hospital with Influenza

 

Mar 28, 1915

Discharged to duty

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec

  

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to West Sandling Camp near Hythe, Kent

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St Seiriol at Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked at Boulogne France and proceeded to St Omer

 

Dec 30, 1915

Admitted to No 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with Influenza

 

Jan 2, 1916

Transferred to the Divisional Rest Station at Godewaersvelde

 

Jan 5, 1916

Discharged to duty

 

Apr 3, 1916

Granted leave until April 11, 1916

 

Apr 11, 1916

At duty from leave

 

Sep 29, 1916         Wounded by shrapnel to left leg and admitted to CFA

  

Above is from the 21st Battalion War Diary

 

Sep 30, 1916

Transferred to CCS and surgery performed to remove shrapnel

 

Oct 1, 1916

Transferred to No 1 Stationary Hospital at Rouen and second surgery performed

 

Oct 9, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Maheno

  

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

 

Oct 10, 1916

Admitted to the Metropolitan Hospital, London

 

Dec 9, 1916

Awarded the Military Medal per London Gazette #29854

  

This was awarded for his actions as a runner during the fighting at Courcelette where he was wounded.

Citation reads

Near Courcellette 15th/16th, 1916.  For exceptional gallantry and energetic devotion to duty.  When employed as a runner he made numerous trips between front line and Battalion Hdeqrs under heavy shell fire.  He acted as guide to parties going forward and upon one occasion brought out with him men who had been wounded.  He displayed marked disregard for his own personal safety and his conduct throughout was most creditable.

Auth: AFW 3121

Jan 2, 1917

Transferred to King’s Canadian Red Cross Hospital at Bushey Park

 

Feb 3, 1917

Transferred to Granville Special Hospital at Ramsgate

 

Feb 19, 1917

Transferred to the Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital then discharged to CCAC

 

Mar 10, 1917

Posted to EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot)

 

Mar 22, 1917

Embarked the SS Essequibo at Liverpool

  

 

Mar 31, 1917

Disembarked at St John New Brunswick and proceeded to MOH (Military Orthopedic Hospital) Christie St, Toronto Ontario

 

Apr 12, 1917

Transferred to Military Hospital Convalescent Centre, Spadina Ave, Toronto as an out-patient

 

May 11, 1917

Transferred to Whitby Hospital

 

May 23, 1917

Transferred to Toronto Military Hospital, College St, from Whitby

 

Jun 2, 1917

Transferred to N Toronto Hospital

 

Sep 15, 1917

Transferred to Collingwood Hospital as an out-patient

 

Address while in Collingwood – Box 233 Collingwood, c/o Mrs Meacham

 

Sep 29, 1917

Transferred from Collingwood to N Toronto Hospital

 

Feb 15, 1918

Medical Board at MOH Toronto notes: 

Ø      Suffers from shrapnel wounds to left leg, thigh and foot with limited movement of left knee

Ø      Is painful when walking and walks with a marked limp

Ø      Left foot swells when walking

Ø      Suffers from numbness when cold or damp

Ø      Recommend he be classified E3 and be discharged

 

Mar 6, 1918

Discharged from the CEF at Toronto Ontario 

Ø      Residence on discharge – 23 Wood St Toronto Ontario

Ø      Discharged as Medically Unfit

Ø      Given 3 months Post Discharge Pay

 

Dec 17, 1921

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to 45 Nairn Ave, Toronto Ontario

 


Above is from the January 1936 issue of the Communiqué


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