Sep 26, 1889

Born in Brussels, Ontario to William and Annie (nee Ronald) Cluff

Oct 14, 1915

Qualified for the rank of Lieutenant in the 28^th Perth Regiment in London, Ontario

Nov 14, 1915

Officer’s Declaration on enlistment in the 71^st Battalion at Woodstock, Ontario

Ø  Rank Lieutenant

Ø  Next of kin Rev. W.T. Cluff, father, St. James Rectory, Stratford, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Student at Law

Ø  Previous military experience given as Officers Training Corps at University of Toronto and currently a member of the 28^th Perth Regiment

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Qualified for the rank of Captain at the 28^th Perth Regiment in London, Ontario

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Oxney Camp near Bramshott

Admitted to the Shorncliffe Military Hospital with a Hernia

Transferred to the Helena Military Hospital in Shorncliffe where surgery was performed to repair the Hernia

Jun 14, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in the Beresford Lodge, Birchington

Jul 7, 1916

Transferred to the 47^th Battalion in Bramshott while in hospital

Jul 27, 1916

Granted 21 days sick leave

Aug 3, 1916

Transferred back to the 71^st Battalion while on leave

Aug 5, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the 71^st Battalion

Granted leave until August 20, 1916

Aug 22, 1916

Posted to the 71^st Battalion Headquarters Company to be employed as temporary Adjutant

Sep 1, 1916

Appointed to position of Adjutant

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 54^th Battalion

Oct 7, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France.  On arrival the transfer to the 54^th Battalion was cancelled and he was transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 10, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Lieutenant Cluff joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Fieffes, France as part of a draft of 80 reinforcements and was posted to “D” Company as a Platoon Commander

Oct 28, 1916

Proceeded on course at the 1^st Army School

Dec 6, 1916

On completion of his course, he was attached to the Canadian Composite Battalion

May 26, 1917

Admitted to the No. 1 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin).  This is a fever without a known cause, sometimes referred to as Trench Fever

May 31, 1917

Transferred to the No. 14 Stationary Hospital in Boulogne, France

Jun 7, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Andrew

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 3^rd London General Hospital in Wandsworth, London

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Jun 19, 1917

Discharged from hospital

Sep 27, 1917

Admitted to the 2^nd Eastern General Hospital in Brighton with a diagnosis that reads Scabies

Oct 17, 1917

Granted 7 days leave

Oct 28, 1917

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Nov 21, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Nov 22, 1917

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

Nov 28, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Lieutenant Cluff rejoined the 21^st Battalion south-east of Lens, France

Dec 9, 1917

Proceeded on course

Dec 20, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Auchy-au-Bois, France

Feb 8, 1918

Proceeded on course

Feb 23, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in the Alberta Camp near Carency, France

Mar 4, 1918

While defending the line just west of Lens, France, the battalion came under attack by approximately 250 German troops.  Lieutenant Cluff received shrapnel wounds from the explosion of an enemy stick grenade to his left leg, both feet and groin.  He was evacuated to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Surgery was performed at the casualty clearing station to remove his left testicle, remove his left knee cap and amputate several toes from both feet

Mar 9, 1918

Transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 1 Red Cross Hospital (Duchess of Westminster’s Hospital) in Le Touquet, France

Apr 8, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Bathurst House Hospital in London

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

May 11, 1918

Transferred to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital in Buxton

May 14, 1918

Attached to the HQ OMFC (Headquarters Overseas Military Force of Canada) pending return to Canada

Jun 3, 1918

Embarked the SS Neuralia in Avonmouth

Jun 14, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to London, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 1 Depot and admitted to the Victoria Military Hospital in London, Ontario

Jun 16, 1918

Granted leave until July 1, 1918

Sep 16, 1918

Posted to the District Depot Details Company in London from hospital

Sep 23, 1918

Attached to the CAPC (Canadian Army Pay Corps) to be Paymaster Military District No. 1 in London

Jun 4, 1919

Admitted to the Western Ontario Military Hospital for ongoing treatment of his wounds received in France

Aug 28, 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital

Sep 15, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in London, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Lieutenant

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Headquarters Military District No. 1, London, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 404 Talbot St., London, Ontario

Howard Cluff graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1920 and practiced law in London, Ontario until his death

Jan 5, 1928

Married to Dorothy May Sproul in London, Ontario

Apr 1, 1936

Howard Roger Cluff was travelling by train from London to Toronto, Ontario when he suffered a heart attack.  He was removed from the train in Hamilton and rushed to the Hamilton General Hospital died where he died.  He was buried in the Avondale Cemetery in Stratford, Ontario