Nov 12, 1896

Born in Meadowvale, Ontario to Mandy and Mary (nee Ellis) Connaghan

Apr 14, 1917

Attested into the 254^th Battalion CEF in Bancroft, Ontario

Ø  Number 1093414

Ø  Next of kin given as Mandy Connaghan, father, Wilberforce, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

The battalion trained in the Belleville, Ontario area

May 29, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jun 9, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Seaford where it was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

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

Nov 17, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France

Nov 24, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Connaghan joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line, east of Vimy Ridge

Nov 29, 1917

Attached to the 4^th Field Company, Canadian Engineers for duty

Dec 11, 1917

Rejoined the battalion in the Cellars Camp at Neuville St. Vaast, France from the Canadian Engineers

Apr 2, 1918

While in the front line south-east of Agny, France, Private Connaghan received shrapnel wounds to his back and was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station

Apr 3, 1918

Transferred via the No. 3 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France

Apr 5, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Ville de Liege

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Fort Pitt Military Hospital in Chatham

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

May 8, 1918

Transferred to the Preston Hall Military Hospital in Aylesford

Jul 9, 1918

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Sep 2, 1918

Attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training and exercise

Granted 12 days sick leave.  Address on leave YMCA London

Oct 11, 1918

His brother, Silvester, died while serving with the 21^st Battalion at Iwuy, France

Nov 14, 1918

Discharged from hospital care and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Dec 3, 1918

Attached to Military District No. 3 Wing at Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

Dec 12, 1918

Embarked the SS Regina Liverpool

Dec 20, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 3 Casualty Company

Dec 24, 1918

Granted leave until January 6, 1919

Jan 22, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence in discharge Wilberforce, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Wilberforce, Ontario

Aug 22, 1931

Married to Sarah Jane Death (nee Rutledge, a widow) in Erindale, Ontario