Jun 24, 1894

Born in Middle River, Nova Scotia to Thomas and Hannah (nee Backman) Countway

Oct 18, 1917

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at Chester, Nova Scotia

Apr 6, 1918

Conscripted into the 1^st Depot Battalion, NSR (Nova Scotia Regiment) under the MSA

Ø  Number 3181454

Ø  Next of kin given as Thomas Countway, father, Middle River, Nova Scotia

Ø  Previous occupation given as Seaman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Baptist

Ø  Posted to “C” Company

o   Later posted to the 5^th Regimental Draft

Apr 17, 1918

The 5^th and part of the 6^th Regimental Drafts embarked the SS Scotian in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Apr 28, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and transferred to the 17^th Reserve Battalion.  The men were attached to the Segregation Camp at Frensham Pond to ensure there were no cases of Influenza

Jun 6, 1918

Discharged from the segregation camp and joined 17^th Reserve Battalion in Bramshott

Sep 19, 1918

Transferred to the 85^th Battalion

Sep 21, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 85^th Battalion

Sep 25, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Sep 30, 1918

Before he could join the 85^th Battalion at the front, he was transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 3, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Countway joined the 21^st Battalion on the Hindenburg Support Line as part of a draft of 156 reinforcements.  On arrival, he was posted to “D” Company

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Seigburg

Mar 9, 1919

The battalion proceeded to Namur, Belgium for guard duty

Apr 3, 1919

Transferred to the Canadian Records List and attached to the 25^th Battalion in Auvelais, Belgium

Apr 8, 1919

Embarked the SS Prince George in Havre, France

On arrival in England, he was attached to “J” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

May 10, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

May 16, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Taken On Strength Military District No. 6

May 25, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 218659

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Chester Basin, Nova Scotia

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Chester Basin, Nova Scotia

Oct 7, 1925

Married to Blanche Lethia Lantz in Chester Basin, Nova Scotia

Jan 30, 1969

Murray James Countway while a patient of the Camp Hill Hospital in Halifax and was buried in the Baptist Cemetery in Chester Basin