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Aug 11, 1897
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Born in
Foresters Falls, Ontario to William Stephen and Margaret Blacklock (nee McKillop) Coleman
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Aug 17, 1915
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Attested into
the 77th Battalion in Smiths Falls, Ontario
Ø Number 144947
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs. S. Coleman, mother, Foresters Falls, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Student
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Church of England
Ø Assigned to “D” Company
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Oct 23, 1915
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Embarked the SS
California in Quebec City, Quebec as part of the 77th Battalion’s 1st
Reinforcing Draft
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Oct 31, 1915
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Disembarked in
Plymouth, England and the draft proceeded to Shorncliffe.
On arrival in Shorncliffe, the entire draft was absorbed into the 12th
Reserve Battalion
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Mar 15, 1916
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Transferred to
the 21st Battalion
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Mar 16, 1916
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Arrived at the
CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 1,288
reinforcements from England, and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion.
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Mar 18, 1916
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Left the CBD to
join the battalion
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Mar 21, 1916
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Joined the 21st
Battalion in billets in Ridgewood, France as part of the 4th Brigade Reserve.
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Apr 22, 1916
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In the early
morning hours, while in a dug out in the front line near Voormezeele, Private Coleman
suffered from shrapnel wounds to both legs. It
was later determined that he also suffered from shell shock.
He was
admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance).
After receiving first aid, he was transferred to the No. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing
Station) for further treatment. Because of
the serious nature of the wounds, he was transferred via the No. 15 AT (Ambulance Train)
and admitted to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne, where surgery was performed
to remove the shrapnel.
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May 6, 1916
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Discharged to
the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne
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May 16, 1916
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Discharged to
the Base Depot in Havre and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from
wounds and illness
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May 25, 1916
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Admitted to the No. 2
Canadian General Hospital, Le Treport, with a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet
Determined). This was later changed to read
“Mental”
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May 27, 1916
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Invalided to
England aboard the Hospital Ship Asturias
Transferred
to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) while in hospital
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May 29, 1916
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Admitted to the
Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley
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Jun 7, 1916
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Transferred to
the Moore Barracks Hospital, Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that now reads Neurasthenia, a
nervous disorder, also used to describe shell shock
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Jun 8, 1916
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Transferred to
the Granville Canadian Special Hospital, Ramsgate
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Jul 26, 1916
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Discharged to
duty and posted to the 39th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling
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Jan 4, 1917
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Transferred to
the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling
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Apr 21, 1917
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Transferred to
the 21st Battalion
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Apr 22, 1917
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Arrived at the
CBD in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 3,000 reinforcements from
England, and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion.
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Apr 24, 1917
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Left the CBD to
join the battalion
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May 21, 1917
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Rejoined the 21st
Battalion in the front line trenches just beyond Vimy Ridge as part of a draft of 149
reinforcements.
There is no
explanation in the file as to why it took almost a month to join the battalion.
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Aug 15, 1917
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The 21st Battalion,
as part of the 2nd Division of the Canadian Corps attacked the high
ground near Lens, France known as Hill 70.
This was strongly defended by German forces and once removed, mounted
several counter-attacks that were repelled by the battalion. The fighting was fierce and often involved
hand to hand combat and many casualties were suffered on both sides. During this battle, Private Coleman was
wounded and removed to a nearby field ambulance for first aid before being
evacuated to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) where he died of his
wounds.
Barlin
Communal Cemetery
Pas de Calais, France
Following the war the
British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial
Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Margaret Coleman, Foresters Falls, Ontario
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