Sep 10, 1895

Born in Belleville, Ontario to Joseph and Edna Mary (nee Conant) Caldwell

May 3, 1916

Joseph’s mother Edna, passed away in Belleville, Ontario

May 25, 1916

Sworn into the 4^th Division Canadian Engineers Signal Training Depot in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank Lieutenant

Ø  Next of kin given as Dr. Joseph Caldwell D.D., father, Belleville, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Bank Clerk

Ø  Previous military experience given as 4 years in the 15^th Regiment, Argyll Light Infantry and 1 year in the 34^th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Assigned to the 9^th Regimental Draft

On attesting he lied about his age, stating that he had been born September 15, 1893

Nov 13, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nov 21, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the draft proceeded to the CETD (Canadian Engineering Training Depot) in Crowborough

Lieutenant Joseph G. Caldwell shortly after his arrival in England

Dec 11, 1916

Admitted to the 2^nd Eastern General Hospital in Brighton with a diagnosis that reads Haematuria (blood in urine)

Jan 28, 1917

Granted sick leave until February 28.

Mar 13, 1917

Admitted to the Canadian Military Hospital in Crowborough with a diagnosis that reads Gonorrhea

Mar 14, 1917

Transferred to the CERD (Canadian Engineering Regimental Depot) in Shoreham for pay purposes while in hospital

Mar 22, 1917

Transferred to the Cherry Hinton Hospital in Cambridge

Aug 8, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

His pay was deducted $224.00 as punishment for becoming infected with Gonorrhea

Aug 9, 1917

Medical Board in London declared him to be cured

Reported to the CETD for duty

Sep 12, 1917

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Sep 29, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot)

Apr 10, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 11, 1918

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Apr 16, 1918

After leaving the base depot, Lieut Caldwell joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart

May 28, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Lieut Caldwell joined the 21^st Battalion Rear Details in Bailleulval, France and assigned to “B” Company

May 29, 1918

Lieut Caldwell left the Rear Detail and moved forward to join the battalion in the front-line west of Neuville Vitasse

Aug 15, 1918

Effective on this date, Lieutenant Caldwell was transferred from “B” Company to the Signals Section

While passing through the town of Fouquescourt, the battalion came under a gas attack.  Lieut Caldwell suffered the effects of that gas and was evacuated to the nearby field ambulance

From the battalion’s War Diary

Aug 17, 1918

Transferred to the No. 48 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment

Aug 19, 1918

Transferred via the No. 25 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 2 Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Rouen

Aug 24, 1918

Discharged from hospital and he was ordered to report for duty with the base details in Rouen

Aug 26, 1918

Joined the base depot in Etaples

Aug 29, 1918

Transferred to the reinforcement camp in Aubin St. Vaast

Sep 5, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Lieut Caldwell rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Division Reserve on the Droucuort Queant Line and assumed the duties of Battalion Signalling Officer

Sep 15, 1918

Lieut Caldwell assumed temporary command of the Communication Section

Oct 13, 1918

Granted 14 days leave to England

Nov 2, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 4^th Brigade across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to billets in Seigburg

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

 
On arrival in England he was attached to “P” Wing in Witley pending his return to Canada

Apr 30, 1919

Lieut JG Caldwell, along with Lieut HD Wightman MM, carried the 21^st Battalion Colours, with an escort from “D” Company, during a parade in Witley, at which time Brig Gen R Rennie CB, CMG, MVC, DSO presented medals to deserving men of the battalion

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded by train to Kingston, Ontario

May 26, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Lieutenant

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 15346

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 166 Bridge St. E., Belleville, Ontario

 
Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 241 Bridge St. E., Belleville, Ontario

 
Joseph Caldwell went on to serve with the Argyll Light Infantry and the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment of the Canadian Militia and rose to the rank of Captain before his retirement.

 
As a civilian he was employed with the Customs and Excise Department.

The service revolver used by Joseph Caldwell
while serving with the 21^st Battalion

Apr 15, 1920

Married to Coralie Laurie Cook in the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Westmount, Quebec

Dec 22, 1921

Shown on the list of officers of the Argyll Light Infantry as a member of “B” Company with the rank of Lieutenant.  He is noted as “pending transfer to the Canadian Corps of Signals”.

Mar 4, 1940

Attested into the Hastings & Prince Edward Regimental Depot of the CASF (Canadian Active Service Force) in Picton, Ontario

Ø  Rank on attesting Lieutenant

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Coralie Caldwell, wife, 32 Laird St., Sault St. Marie, Ontario

o   This was later changed to read c/o T. Sheppard, RR #4, Barrie, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Highway Inspector

Ø  Previous military experience given as 3 years in the 21^st Battalion, CEF

Ø  Currently a member of the Argyll Light Infantry with the rank of Captain

Ø  Religion given as United Church

Ø  Assigned as Reinforcement Officer of the Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment

 
On attesting, he stated that he had 3 children, William, Patricia and Joseph

Mar 6, 1940

Attached to the CI(R)TC (Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Transit Camp) in Quebec City, Quebec

May 29, 1940

Ceased to be attached to the reinforcement camp in Quebec City and attached to the reinforcement camp in Camp Borden, Ontario

Jul 14, 1940

Ceased to be attached and proceeded to England

Aug 3, 1940

TOS (Taken On Strength) the No. 1 CIHU (Canadian Infantry Holding Unit) in the Bordon Camp in Hampshire

Aug 10, 1940

Granted Landing Leave

Aug 18, 1940

Returned from leave

Sep 17, 1940

Admitted to the No. 9 Field Ambulance with an unspecified illness

Sep 22, 1940

Transferred to the No. 5 General Hospital in Witley

Oct 6, 1940

Transferred to the Officer’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Garnons, near Hereford

Mar 14, 1941

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 17, 1941

Re-admitted to the No. 5 General Hospital in Witley

Apr 8, 1941

Transferred to the Officer’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Garnons, near Hereford

Jun 26, 1941

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jul 7, 1941

The address for his wife was changed to read 237 Albert St., Belleville, Ontario

Jul 12, 1941

Lieutenant Caldwell’s medical category was changed to “C2”, meaning he was not fit for combat duty, only for service at a base unit in England

Aug 11, 1941

Admitted to the No. 5 General Hospital in Witley

Aug 12, 1941

Medical category was changed to “D”, meaning that he was unfit for any service other than rehabilitation and physical training

Discharged from hospital to duty with the No. 1 Canadian Base Depot in Oulton, Yorkshire

Sep 4, 1941

SOS (Struck Off Strength) on returning to Canada

Transferred to Military District #3 District Depot in Kingston, Ontario

Qualified wear the ribbon of the CVSM (Canadian Volunteer Service Medal) with Clasp

Sep 17, 1941

Posted to the Headquarters Wing in Kingston

Jan 1, 1942

Appointed Subaltern at HWE (Home War Establishment) Headquarters in Kingston

Aug 31, 1942

Appointed to the rank of Acting Captain

Transferred to the No. 1 Special Services Infantry Battalion in St. Johns, Quebec

From here he was transferred to the No. 1 Garrison Battalion, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Dec 17, 1942

Qualified Driver Class 3, wheeled vehicles, excluding motorcycles

Dec 30, 1942

Granted leave until January 3, 1943

Feb 8, 1943

Granted leave until February 21, 1943

Feb 16, 1943

Recalled from leave in order to proceed on course and attached to Canadian Infantry Training Command, Camp Borden, Ontario

Apr 12, 1943

Upon completion of the course, Captain Caldwell returned to the No. 1 Garrison Battalion in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Apr 13, 1943

Granted 14 days leave

May 26, 1943

Returned from leave

The address for his wife was changed to read 61 Octavia St., Belleville, Ontario

Jul 23, 1943

The address for his wife was changed to read 65 East Bridge St., Belleville, Ontario

Oct 16, 1943

Transferred to MD #3 District Depot Headquarters Wing in Kingston, Ontario

Nov 28, 1943

Granted 14 days leave

Feb 7, 1944

Discharged from the CASF as being unable to meet the required military physical standard

Ø  Rank on discharge Captain

Medal entitlement on discharge

 
CVSM & Leaf

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

Jul 1, 1953

Living at 209 Albert St., Belleville, Ontario with his wife and his occupation is shown as Retired

May 8, 1962

Living at 209 Albert St., Belleville, Ontario with his wife

Oct 19, 1968

Joseph George Caldwell died in Belleville, Ontario and was buried in the Belleville Cemetery

Joseph Caldwell had been selected to represent the 21^st Battalion at the November 11, 1968 Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa prior to his passing.  This ceremony was to mark the 50^th Anniversary of the end of the war.

Apr 2, 1972

Wife Coralie died in Belleville, Ontario

Shown are his medals earned in both WW1 and WW2