William Joseph Daughen


Sep 29, 1892

Born in Toronto, Ontario to James and Mary Ann (nee Ryan) Daughen

 

Nov 7, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 59270 (temporary number 417)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. James Daughen, mother, Perth, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

o   This was later noted as Railroader.  The 1911 Census shows his occupation as a Clerk with the Canadian Pacific Railway in Perth, Ontario

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to “D” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “B” Company

There are several pages in his file where his last name is spelled Doughen, including his attestation papers.

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

 

Feb 17, 1915

Appointed to the provisional rank of Lance Corporal

 

 

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

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal with pay

 

 

Jul 14, 1915

Reverted to the rank of Private for refusing to obey an order

 

Sep 5, 1915

Forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

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

 

Oct 16, 1915

While in the N & O front-line trenches near Voormezeele, Belgium, Private Daughen received a shrapnel wound to his face from a rifle grenade and was evacuated to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) in La Clytte for treatment

 

Oct 22, 1915

Private Daughen was discharged from the field ambulance and rejoined the battalion in Ridgewood, Belgium

 

Oct 23, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

 

Nov 15, 1916

While on the Bombing course at the Brigade Grenade School in Bully Grenay, France, Private Daughen received severe injuries to his face, right eye, and hands when a Mark 1 Mills Bomb accidently exploded in front of him.  After receiving first aid, he was transported to the No. 17 Stationary Hospital in Boulogne

 

Nov 21, 1916

Surgery was performed to remove his right eye and clean the eye socket in preparation for a glass eye to be fitted

 

Nov 23, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Jan Breydel

 

On arrival in England he was admitted to the 1st London General Hospital, Camberwell, London

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

 

 

Jan 8, 1917

Transferred to the Brondesbury Park Military Hospital

 

Jan 21, 1917

An artificial glass eye was fitted and put in place

 

Jan 22, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bromley where stiffness of his left wrist is noted as a result of the accident that caused the loss of his eye

 

Jan 25, 1917

Discharged from the convalescent hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Hastings

 

Jan 27, 1917

Attached to the Garrison Duty Depot for light duties

 

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot)

 

Mar 19, 1917

Attached to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Seaford

 

Jan 18, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant

 

May 16, 1918

Taken on the permanent strength of the 3rd Canadian Command Depot in Seaford

 

Nov 27, 1918

Transferred to the 1st Canadian Command Depot and attached to the Depot Company in Witley

 

Dec 16, 1918

Attached to Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

 

Dec 24, 1918

Attached to No. 3 Wing at Kinmel Park

 

Jan 11, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

 

 

Jan 17, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario where he was posted to the Sub Depot on arrival

Granted leave until February 3, 1919

 

Feb 28, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Acting Sergeant

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 81846

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C58957

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Perth, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Perth, Ontario

 

Jul 31, 1929

William Joseph Daughen died, reported by his mother, Mrs. Mary Daughen, 114 Spring St., Brantford, Ontario

 

 

 


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