Apr 8, 1895

Born in Toronto, Ontario to James and Florence Agnes (nee Howell) Clemett

Albert’s mother died in 1905 and his father died in 1907.  Albert and his sister Myrtle went to live with cousins Frederick and Bella Clemett in Omemee, Ontario

Oct 20, 1914

Shown on the payroll of the 45^th Victoria Regiment

Nov 5, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59168 (temporary number 622)

Ø  Next of kin given as Miss Myrtle Clemett, sister, Omemee, Ontario

o   There is a note to also notify the National Trust Company, Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Teamster

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “F” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

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

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

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Jan 13, 1916

While the battalion was in the front line N & O trenches near Voormezeele, Belgium, Private Clemett received a bullet wound to his right arm and was evacuated to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid

Jan 14, 1916

Transferred to the No. 8 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment

Jan 15, 1916

Transferred via the No. 24 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital in Boulogne, France

Feb 4, 1916

Transferred to the No. 25 General Hospital in Hardelot, France

Feb 15, 1916

Transferred to the No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne and Gastritis was added to the diagnosis

Feb 20, 1916

Discharged to the base details in Boulogne

Feb 27, 1916

Classified “A” meaning he was fit for full duty and transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France

Mar 3, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Clemett rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Brigade Reserve in Ridgewood, Belgium

Mar 14, 1916

While the 21^st Battalion was resting in billets in La Clytte, Belgium, work parties were supplied to restore the nearby P Trench system.  While on one of those work parties, Private Clemett received bullet wounds to his head and chest.  The bullet to his head entered the right side of his forehead and exited the left side of his forehead causing fractures on each side of his forehead and he suffered a loss of brain matter.  He was evacuated unconscious to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance and immediately transferred to the No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station.

Mar 15, 1916

Transferred via the No. 23 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne, France where surgery was performed to remove bone fragments from his skull and to cover the entry and exit wounds with flaps of skin.

Mar 18, 1916

Placed on the dangerously ill list and patient is still semi-conscious

Apr 4, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Jan Breydel

On arrival in England he was admitted to the King George Hospital, Stanford St., London

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

Jul 28, 1916

Wounds are healing on the surface and patient is more aware of his surroundings and complains of headaches

Aug 3, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bromley

Aug 8, 1916

Discharged from the convalescent hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre

Aug 10, 1916

Attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Bath pending return to Canada for discharge

Aug 11, 1916

Medical Board in Bath notes

Ø  Patient suffers from bullet wound to the frontal portion of his skull

Ø  Suffers from loss of brain matter

Ø  Recommend return to Canada for discharge

Ø  Recommend 100% pension

Sep 1, 1916

Embarked the SS Grampian in Liverpool

Sep 10, 1916

Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec

Medical Board at the Quebec Discharge Depot notes

Ø  Patient suffered skull fracture from bullet wound that caused brain damage

Ø  Suffers from severe headaches

Ø  His brain can be seen pulsating under the skin where the pieces of skull have been lost

Ø  Suffers from 75% impairment that should improve in 6 months to 25% impairment

Ø  25% impairment is permanent

Ø  Admission to a convalescent home is recommended

Sep 14, 1916

Admitted to Elmhurst Convalescent Home in Kingston, Ontario

Nov 3, 1916

Medical Board in Kingston notes

Ø  Bullet entered right frontal bone and exited left frontal bone

Ø  There is loss of cranial vault as well as loss of some brain tissue

Ø  The brain can be felt pulsing over area devoid of bone tissue

Ø  There is no disability from the bullet wound to his arm

Ø  Board recommends immediate discharge from military service

Ø  Patient should be re-examined in 6 months

Nov 4, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Nov 18, 1916

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø  There was no post discharge residence recorded

Following the end of the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 184 Browning Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Mar 6, 1924

Albert married Harriet Marjorie Wagstaff in St. Paul’s Church, Lindsay, Ontario

Apr 1, 1962

Albert and Marjorie were living at 1485 Davie St., Apartment 311, Vancouver, British Columbia

Feb 21, 2007

Albert’s younger brother Lloyd Clemett passed away while a patient in Toronto’s Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital at the age of 107.  He was 1 of 3 remaining Canadian veterans of WW1, having served in the Canadian Forestry Corps.