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Dec 14, 1897
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Born in St.
Albert, Ontario to John Carman and Christine Catherine (nee McLeod) Casselman.
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Feb 26, 1916
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Attested into
the 154th Battalion in Chesterville, Ontario
Ø Number 633591
Ø Next of kin given as Mr. John Casselman, father, Boundary Falls,
British Columbia
Ø Previous occupation given as Farmer
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
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Oct 25, 1916
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Embarked the RMS
Mauretania in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Oct 31, 1916
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Disembarked in
Liverpool, England and proceeded to Witley
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Jan 28, 1917
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Transferred to
the 156th Battalion in Witley.
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May 23, 1917
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Transferred to
the 21st Battalion
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May 24, 1917
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Arrived at the
newly organized No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and TOS
(Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion.
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Jun 10, 1917
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Left the CIBD as part
of a draft of 64 reinforcements for the front.
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Jun 11, 1917
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Joined the 21st
Battalion in billets in the Coupigny Huts near Barlin, France
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Aug 18, 1917
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Admitted to the
No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with shrapnel wounds to his left arm and hand
received during the fighting at Hill 70.
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Aug 22, 1917
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Transferred to
the No. 10 CFA.
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Oct 4, 1917
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Discharged to
duty from the No. 10 CFA
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Oct 16, 1917
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Admitted to the
No. 4 CFA diagnosed with suspected Diphtheria and transferred the same day to the No. 6
CFA.
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Oct 17, 1917
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Transferred to
the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)
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Oct 21, 1917
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Transferred via
the No. 9 AT (Ambulance Train) to the No. 46 General Hospital, Etaples.
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Dec 25, 1917
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Invalided to
England aboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Coninck
Posted to the
EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital.
Admitted to
the Grove Military Hospital, Tooting Grove, London.
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Jan 4, 1918
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Transferred to
the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bearwood Park, Epsom.
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Jan 11, 1918
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Discharged from
hospital and On Command to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) for
rehabilitation.
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Feb 28, 1918
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Discharged from
the 3rd CCD and posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion at Seaford.
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Apr 11, 1918
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Posted to the 21st
Battalion and proceeded to the No. 2 CIBD in Etaples, France and was TOS the 21st
Battalion on arrival.
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Apr 14, 1918
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Left the CIBD to
join the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp).
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Apr 16, 1918
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Joined the CC
Rein C in Calonne Ricouart as part of a draft of 9 reinforcements destined for the 21st
Battalion.
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May 10, 1918
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Left the CC Rein
C to join his battalion.
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May 12, 1918
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Joined the 21st
Battalion in billets in Wailly, southwest of Arras.
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May 27, 1918
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Admitted to the
No. 6 CFA with shrapnel wounds to his right arm and leg, face and a fractured left leg. He was transferred the same day to the CCS. From there he was transferred to the No. 3
Canadian Stationary Hospital, Doullens.
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Below is from the 21st Battalion's War Diary
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May 28, 1918
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Private
Casselman died of his wounds while in hospital.
Doullens
Communal Cemetery
Somme France
Following the war the
British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his uncle, Mr. John Archie MacLeod,
Morewood, Ontario.
The Plaque (Dead
Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, John Casselman, Boundary Falls,
British Columbia.
No Memorial Cross was
issued as his mother had predeceased him.
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Private Casselman is honoured on
the war memorial in Morewood, Ontario
As an interesting aside, the statue on the memorial above was created
in the likeness of Capt EJ Glasgow , who also served in the 21st Battalion. Also of
interest, Capt Glasgow signed Pte. Casselman's last will as a witness.
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