Rene Wilfred DeRochie, MM

 

 

Aug 4, 1897

Born at Glen Walter Ontario

 

Nov 15, 1915

Attested into the 59th Battalion at Cornwall Ontario 

Ø      Number 455712

Ø      Next of kin given as Norman DeRochie (father) of Cornwall Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Student

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company 

Noted as being recruited by Lieutenant Brocklebank who also transferred to the 21st Battalion in France

 

Apr 1, 1916

Embarked the RMS Olympic at Halifax Nova Scotia

 

 

Apr 11, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England

 

Jun 1, 1916

Transferred to the 45th Battalion at Shorncliffe

 

Jul 4, 1916

Transferred to the CPTD (Canadian Pioneer Training Division) at Shorncliffe

 

Jul 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

 

Sep 22, 1916

Admitted to the 5th Brigade Hospital at Shorncliffe diagnosed with Myalgia

 

Sep 24, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Oct 26, 1916

Transferred to the 166th Battalion at Shorncliffe

 

Nov 11, 1916

Transferred to the Signals Base at Seaford

 

Dec 30, 1916

Posted to the 196th Battalion at Seaford 

On this date the 196th Battalion was absorbed by the 19th Reserve Battalion on the reorganization of the training Battalions

 

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

 

Jul 11, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion 

Arrived at 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Jul 16, 1917

Left 2 CIBD to join unit

 

Jul 17, 1917

Joined the 21st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion had just moved into Brigade Reserve at Angres in the Lens Section.  In this area they were still subject to enemy artillery and several casualties were recorded.  He was assigned to the Signals Section

 

Oct 27, 1917

Appointed to rank of Lance Corporal to replace L/Cpl Rodger 141524, who had been promoted

 

Feb 15, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

 

Mar 2, 1918

Rejoined the Battalion from leave

 

Mar 4, 1918

Just 2 days after returning from leave, an intense German raid took place with the enemy entering the 21st Battalion trenches causing many casualties.  It was during this raid that L/Cpl DeRochie earned his Military Medal.  See the medal citation below

 

Mar 18, 1918

Announcement of the awarding of his Military Medal was made in the Battalion’s War Diary

 

Apr 25, 1918        Announcement of Military Medal in the London Gazette #30652

 

 Although he is mentioned as being wounded in this action, he was not admitted to a Field Ambulance or hospital, indicating that the wound was slight and that he was treated by the Battalion Medical Officer at the Regimental Aid Post, and remained with the Battalion

 

Jul 15, 1918

Admitted to the No 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) diagnosed with PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) which is a fever

 

Jul 21, 1918

Discharged to duty from the CFA and rejoined the Battalion

 

Aug 27, 1918

Admitted to the No 7 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with Scabies

 

Sep 13, 1918

Discharged to duty from the CCS

 

Dec 13, 1918

Crossed the Bonn Bridge and entered Germany with the 21st Battalion as part of the occupying force

 

Jan 12, 1919

Granted 14 days leave

 

Jan 28, 1919

Granted an extension to his leave until February 4, 1919

 

Feb 8, 1919

Rejoined the Battalion from leave

 

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia at Havre France

 

 

Apr 4, 1919

Disembarked in England and proceeded to the Witley Camp

 

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia at Liverpool

 

 

May 22, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded via train to Kingston Ontario

 

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 277468

Ø      Rank on discharge L/Cpl

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Cornwall Ontario

 

Mar 22, 1923

The British War Medal and the Victory Medals were sent to him at 1352 Dufferin Pl, Windsor Ontario

 

Below is from the book "A War Diary, A Canadian Signaller, My Experiences in The Great War" by J.A. Bain, self published.  It describes action on August 15, 1917.  L/Cpl DeRochie is mentioned in paragraph 5


Return to Tribute list

Home

Contact