Feb 10, 1895

Born at Bath England

May 27, 1910

Embarked the SS Virginian at Liverpool England

Jun 3, 1910

Disembarked at Montreal Quebec and proceeded to Kingston Ontario (to home of JF Knapp at 333 Johnson St)

Nov 28, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Number 59183 (temporary number 1123)

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs Wilson (friend) of 28 Cowdy St, Kingston Ontario

o       This address was later changed to read 132 Stephen St, Kingston

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England 

On entry to Canada in 1910, he gave his birth year as 1897 and the 1911 Census he is also shown as being born in 1897.  The 1895 date is taken from his Attestation Papers.  It is certain that he lied about his age to enlist.

Dec 16, 1914

Admitted to Kingston hospital with Influenza

Dec 19, 1914

Discharged from hospital to duty

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe Kent

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St Seiriol at Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked at Boulogne France and proceeded to St Omer

Oct 1, 1915

While in the front line trench, a shell exploded close by, burying him with sandbags.  No injury was evident at the time, but a hearing loss was soon to be evident

Oct 18, 1915         From Kingston’s Daily British Whig newspaper

Oct 23, 1915

Will made out leaving estate to his mother, Mrs M Collard, of 11 Brunswick St, at London Rd, Bath England

Nov 5, 1915

Reported sick to Medical Officer, complaining of deafness and drainage from ears 

Admitted to the DRS (Divisional Rest Station) at Locre

Nov 7, 1915

Transferred to No 1 Canadian General Hospital at Etaples with a Tympanum (middle ear) infection

Nov 9, 1915

Discharged to Base Details Camp at Havre

Nov 19, 1915

Admitted to No 2 General Hospital (Palais de Regates) at Sainte-Adresse, near Havre with a diagnosis of Otorrhoea (a drainage of pus from the ear)

Nov 23, 1915

Discharged from hospital to Base Details

Nov 24, 1915

Posted to No 3 Base Depot at Havre

Nov 27, 1915

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion had just moved into the front line trenches at La Clytte

Dec 27, 1915

Admitted to No 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis of Otitis Media (an ear infection)

Dec 28, 1915

Transferred to the Divisional Rest Station at Godewaersvelde

Jan 1, 1916

Transferred to No 8 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Jan 3, 1916

Admitted to No 18 General Hospital at Camiers with deafness

Feb 22, 1916

Transferred to No 6 Convalescent Depot at Etaples

Feb 27, 1916

Posted to Canadian Base Depot and classed TB (Temporary Base), meaning that he was declared only to be fit for light duties at the Base Depot

Mar 4, 1916

Reclassified as PB (Permanent Base) and would not be returned to the front

Mar 7, 1916

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) and placed On Command to the Canadian Training Division at Shorncliffe England

Mar 11, 1916

Medical Board at CCAC Folkestone notes 

Ø      Soldier has had ear problems since childhood, but severely aggravated by conditions in the trenches

Ø      Soldier also has deformed toes (overriding) on right foot and a Hammer toe on left foot making marching difficult

Ø      Will suffer a 25% disability for at least 6 months

Ø      Board recommends that he be discharged as being Medically Unfit

Ø      Board also recommends a gratuity of $50

Mar 13, 1916

Transferred to the Westcliffe Eye and Ear Hospital at Folkestone

Mar 16, 1916

TOS (Taken On Strength) CCAC  and placed On Command to CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) at Bath pending return to Canada

Mar 25, 1916

Embarked the SS Missanabie at Liverpool

Apr 2, 1916

Disembarked at Saint John New Brunswick and proceeded to Montreal Quebec

Apr 4, 1916

Medical Board at Montreal finds that his partial deafness is permanent along with the toe deformities. 

Board recommends that he be placed in a Convalescent Home for 3 months and recommended for the Elmhurst Convalescent Home at Kingston Ontario

Apr 9, 1916

Arrived at and admitted to the Elmhurst Convalescent Home at Kingston

Apr 10, 1916          From the Kingston Daily Standard

Jul 2, 1916

Medical Board at Kingston recommends immediate discharge from the CEF as further treatment is not advisable

Jul 3, 1916

Discharged from the Elmhurst Home

Jul 5, 1916

Discharged from the CEF at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badges Class “A” and Class “B” issued, but numbers not recorded in file

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge – 132 Stephen St, Kingston Ontario

Ø      Trade recorded as – Machinist Apprentice 

There is an undated letter in the file outlining the details of his hearing problems.  The address given is the same as that given on discharge.  He claims he has been employed at the Kingston Locomotive works as a Fireman with pay at the rate of $1.79 per day.  He states that his ear is still discharging and has difficulty sleeping.

Jan 8, 1919

Application made for WSG (War Service Gratuity) giving his home address as 75 Rhodes Ave, Toronto Ontario 

The WSG was approved in the amount of $179.90

Aug 15, 1930

The British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to various addresses in the 1920s but were returned.  The medals were again sent on this date to him at 58 Balsam Ave, Toronto Ontario

Pictured is his British War Medal which is held by the PWOR Museum in Kingston and reproduced with permission

Nov 29, 1958

Deceased at Toronto Ontario