Joseph Damour
aka Joseph Dimour
 

Jul 1, 1871

Born in Bailbrook, Ontario to Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Damour 

He later stated that his birth date was April 14, 1871

 

Aug 5, 1916

Attested into the 207th Battalion CEF in Ottawa, Ontario under the name Joseph Dimour 

Ø      Number 246637

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. Marguerite Dimour, wife, Westboro, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic 

It is assumed that he could not write as he signed his documents with an X and a note added “His Mark” 

The battalion trained in the Rockcliffe Camp in Ottawa

 

Jan 18, 1917

The battalion left Ottawa and proceeded to Amherst, Nova Scotia to continue training

 

Jun 2, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Jun 9, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Seaford where the battalion was absorbed into the 7th Reserve Battalion to continue training

 

Jun 17, 1917

Medical Board at Seaford shows that he suffers from slight Varicose Veins in both legs, “otherwise fit for duty”

 

Sep 12, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 13, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 42 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 27, 1917

Left the CIBD and joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Villers au Bois

 

Oct 18, 1917

Left the CCRC and joined the 21st Battalion in billets in Ourton, France.  The battalion was carrying out training exercises in preparation for the attack on Passchendaele

 

Aug 5, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

 

Aug 15, 1918

After the battalion had been relieved from the front lines and while proceeding to the rear through the village of Fouquescourt, they suffered a gas attack.  Private Damour suffered the effects from Mustard Gas and was evacuated to the No. 48 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment

 

Aug 18, 1918

Transferred to the No. 12 CCS

 

Aug 20, 1918

Transferred to the No. 41 Stationary Hospital

 

Aug 30, 1918

Transferred to the 4th Army Convalescent Depot at the No. 20 CCS to recover

 

Sep 8, 1918

Discharged to duty from the CCS

 

Sep 10, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

 

Sep 16, 1918

His name was officially changed to read Joseph Damour from Joseph Dimour

 

Sep 18, 1918

Left the CIBD and joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

 

Sep 20, 1918

Left the CC Rein C and rejoined the 21st Battalion Rear Details in the Drocourt Queant Line area

 

Oct 12, 1918

During heavy fighting in the Avesnes-le-Sec area, Private Damour received shrapnel wounds to his right leg and was evacuated to the No. 9 CFA for first aid then transferred to the nearby CCS for treatment

 

Oct 13, 1918

Transferred to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne for treatment

 

Oct 19, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. David

On arrival in England he was admitted to the Reading War Hospital 

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

 

Jan 9, 1919

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Epsom

 

Jan 29, 1919

On Command to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) to continue his recovery

 

Feb 15, 1919

Discharged from the 3rd CCD and posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Apr 23, 1919

Transferred to the NBRD (New Brunswick Regimental Depot) in Ripon pending return to Canada for service with the CMP (Canadian Military Police)

 

May 1, 1919

Signed an agreement to serve an additional 1 year with the Military Police in Canada

 

May 6, 1919

Embarked the RMS Scotian in Liverpool

 

May 15, 1919

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was TOS the CMP in Military District #3, Kingston

 

Jun 26, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

 

Ø      Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Westboro, Ontario

Ø      Trade shown as Carpenter

 

Following the war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Westboro, Ontario

 

 

 

Jul 6, 1952

Died in Ottawa, Ontario and buried in the Notre Dame Cemetery there

 

Joseph's son Lionel, enlisted in the Canadian Army during WW2 and made it his career, retiring in 1963
His military record is summarized at this link


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