Apr 10, 1889

Born in Kingston, Ontario to John and Sarah Ann “Annie” (nee Clark) Curson

Nov 11, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59226 (temporary number 57)

Ø  Next of kin given as John Curson, father, 22 Elm St., Kingston, Ontario

o   There is a note to also notify Mrs. Annie Curson, mother, 21 Frontenac St., Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Stationary Fireman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to No. 2 Platoon, “A” Company

The 21^st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Jun 1, 1915

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Jun 4, 1915

Reported for duty and was sentenced to 5 Days Detention and forfeiture of 3 day’s pay for his absence

Jul 30, 1915

Reported to be AWL

Aug 3, 1915

Reported for duty and was sentenced to 14 Days Detention and forfeiture of 5 day’s pay for his absence

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Nov 20, 1915

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line trenches near Ridgewood, Belgium after attending the War School

Nov 25, 1915

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with an accidental fracture to his left Femur

Nov 27, 1915

Transferred to the No. 8 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Nov 29, 1915

Transferred via the No. 18 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 6 British Red Cross Hospital in Etaples, France

Dec 11, 1915

Discharged from hospital to the Base Details in Etaples

Dec 14, 1915

Transferred to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

Dec 25, 1915

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Ridgewood, Belgium

Feb 25, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance with sprained back

Mar 8, 1916

Discharged to duty and rejoined the battalion

Mar 25, 1916

Admitted to the Divisional Rest Station at No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance with a Sprained Back.  There is no date recorded in the file for his return to the battalion

Oct 15, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), more commonly referred to as Trench Fever.  He was transferred the same day to the nearby Casualty Clearing Station

He was then transferred to the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France

Oct 22, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen

On arrival in England he was admitted to the Neston Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital, Neston, Cheshire

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Oct 25, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Western General Hospital in Liverpool

Nov 17, 1916

Transferred to the King’s Lancashire Miliary Convalescent Hospital in Blackpool and the diagnosis was changed to read Myalgia

Jan 15, 1917

Transferred to the Monks Horton Hospital.  Patient complained of foot pain from an accident prior to enlisting that crushed his foot.  He enquired about being transferred to a unit where he did not have to march.

Mar 1, 1917

Discharged from hospital

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot)

Apr 22, 1917

Reported to the EORD in Seaford

Jun 1, 1917

Transferred to the CRTRD (Canadian Railway Troops Regimental Depot) in Purfleet

Sep 20, 1917

Medical Board held at Purfleet notes that Sapper Curson suffers from Traumatic Pronation of the right foot that was caused by an injury prior to enlistment

Mar 16, 1918

Transferred to the newly formed 13^th Battalion CRT (Canadian Railway Troops) in Purfleet

Mar 29, 1918

The 13^th Battalion CRT proceeded to the No. 1 Camp in Havre, France

Sep 11, 1918

Admitted to the No. 47 Casualty Clearing Station with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Sep 12, 1918

Transferred to the No. 41 General Hospital in Amiens, France

Sep 14, 1918

Admitted to the British No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples, France with a diagnosis that reads Venereal Disease Gonorrhea

Sep 15, 1918

Transferred to the British No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples

Oct 3, 1918

Transferred to the No. 7 Stationary Hospital in Boulogne

Nov 1, 1918

Transferred to the No. 4 British General Hospital in Camiers and Influenza and Pneumonia were added to the diagnosis

Nov 26, 1918

Transferred to the No. 7 Canadian Stationary Hospital in Boulogne and Broncho Pneumonia was added to the diagnosis

Nov 28, 1918

Transferred to the No. 24 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples and Otitis Media was added to the diagnosis

Dec 7, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

On arrival in England he was admitted to the Beaufort War Hospital in Bristol

Transferred to the Canadian Railway Troops Regimental Depot for pay purposes while in hospital

Jan 2, 1919

Transferred to the Bearwood Park Convalescent Hospital where Mastoiditis was added to the diagnosis

Jan 31, 1919

Discharged from hospital to the Knotty Ash Camp in Liverpool

Feb 26, 1919

Transferred to Military District Wing in Rhyl pending return to Canada

Mar 19, 1919

Embarked the SS Minnekahda in Liverpool

Mar 27, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

Mar 29, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Sapper

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 91548

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 21 Frontenac St., Kingston

Following his discharge, Andrew Curson was employed by the Commissionaires of Canada at the Barriefield Army Camp

 
From the February 1957 issue of the Communiqué
the 21^st Battalion’s post war newsletter

 

Oct 5, 1971

Andrew Curson died while a patient in the Kingston General Hospital