Mar 15, 1897

Born at Flinton Ontario 

On attestation he lied about his age and gave his birth date as March 15, 1896 in order to join the army as he was under the age of 18.

Nov 9, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Number 59278 (temporary number 625)

Ø      Next of kin given as Amos Dafoe (father) of Flinton Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Merchant Clerk

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to 9 Platoon, “F” Company

o       This was later reorganized into “C” Company

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to 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

Nov 14, 1915

Admitted to No 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis of Pleurodynia (chest and abdominal pain associated with a fever) 

Later transferred to the DRS (Divisional Rest Station) at Locre

Dec 12, 1915

Transferred to No 5 CFA and diagnosis changed to read Enteritis (an infection of the small intestine)

Dec 16, 1915

Discharged to duty and rejoined the Battalion

Sep 15, 1916

Admitted to the Field Ambulance with a wound to his right foot received during the fighting at Courcelette when the Battalion was attacking the Sugar Refinery there.

Sep 17, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Maheno

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) while in hospital

Mar 16, 1917

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital for administrative purposes, pay etc.

Nov 15, 1917

Discharged from hospital and posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Dec 28, 1917

While on sick leave in London, was found ill at the Victoria Station and admitted to the Endell Street Hospital with the diagnosis reading NYD (Not Yet Determined).  This was later changed to read Alcoholism

Jan 3, 1918

Discharged from hospital, but remained as an Out Patient for further treatment

Mar 6, 1918

Appointed to rank of Lance Cpl

May 1, 1918

Reverted to rank of Pte

May 3, 1918

Discharged from hospital care and returned to 6^th Reserve Battalion

May 30, 1918

Arrived at No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre France and TOS 21^st Battalion.  He then proceeded to rejoin the Battalion in the Field

Jun 16, 1918

Rejoined the Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in the front line trenches in the Mercatel Sector

Aug 8, 1918

Wounded in right leg during the fighting at Amiens and admitted to CFA

Aug 12, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St David

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital

Sep 4, 1918

21^st Battalion Routine Orders announce the Military Medal had been awarded to Pte Dafoe

Dec 11, 1918

Discharged from hospital and posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion

Jan 3, 1919

Posted to CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) at Kinmell Park pending return to Canada 

Jan 12, 1919

Embarked the SS Empress of Britain at Liverpool

Jan 21, 1919

Announcement of the Military Medal published in London Gazette #31142

This was awarded for his actions on August 8, 1918, at Marcelcave in assisting with the capture and guarding of German prisoners.

Jan 22, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston Ontario and posted to the MD #3 Casualty Company

Jan 26, 1919

Granted leave with subsistence until February 8, 1919

Feb 15, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Kingston 

Proposed residence on discharge – Chapman Ontario

Dec 26, 1921

Acted as a witness when his sister Jennie (Jean) married John C Kerrigan in Toronto Ontario.  He gave his address at that time as 259 Bray St, Hamilton Ontario.   

It was noted that his parents were living at 251 Church St, Toronto Ontario

Mar 5, 1938

After being reported as being a patient in the Christie St Hospital, Toronto, and after undergoing several operations, he was discharged from hospital.

May 30, 1941

Enlisted in the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) at Toronto Ontario 

Ø      Number R/105408

Ø      Next of kin given as Jean Kerrigan (sister) of 164A Sydenham St, Toronto Ontario

o       This was also listed as his current address

o       Stated that his parents were both deceased

Ø      Previous occupation given as Caretaker

Ø      Previous military experience given as 21^st Battalion CEF in WW1

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

May 31, 1941

TOS 4 AMD (Manning Depot), St Hubert Quebec

Jun 21, 1941         Transferred to RCAF Stn Rockcliffe, Ottawa Ontario 

Beginning in July of 1941, he acted as an extra for the movie Captains of the Clouds, starring James Cagney, which was filmed in and around RCAF Stn Rockcliffe.

Aug 30, 1941

Appointed to rank of AC1 (Aircraftsman 1^st Class)

Oct 21, 1941

Transferred to AFHQ (Air Force Headquarters) Ottawa for duty

Oct 31, 1941

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Nov 3, 1941

Reported for duty and absence is reported as being due to “through previous indulgence in alcoholic beverages”.  

He was “Admonished by CO”

Nov 30, 1941

Appointed to rank of LAC (Leading Aircraftsman)

Mar 4, 1942

AWL 1 day and reported to be unfit for duty “through previous indulgence in alcoholic beverages”. 

He was given 14 days Detention

Mar 19, 1942

Reported to be unfit for duty “through previous indulgence in alcoholic beverages”. 

He was given 7 days CB (Confined to Barracks)

Mar 20, 1942

Transferred to RCAF Stn Rockcliffe, Ottawa Ontario

Sep 1, 1942

Appointed to rank of Acting Cpl

Apr 12, 1943

Transferred to No 3 TC (Training Command) at Montreal Quebec

May 6, 1943

Reported to be unfit for duty “through previous indulgence in alcoholic beverages”.

May 7, 1943

Reduced in rank to LAC for alcohol abuse

Jun 17, 1943

Posted to No 1 IFS at Deseronto Ontario

Nov 10, 1943

Promoted to rank of Cpl

Dec 6, 1943

Admitted to Deseronto Station Sick Quarters, ill

Dec 11, 1943

Transferred to the Base Hospital at RCAF Stn Trenton Ontario where he died the same day.  His body was transported to Toronto

Veterans Section, Prospect Cemetery
Toronto Ontario 
The top 2 photos show the original cross that was erected while the bottom photo is the current grave marker