Feb 8, 1888

Born in St. Jerome, Quebec to Pierre (Pitre) and Delphine (nee Lapointe) Desbiens

Mar 28, 1918

Conscripted into the 1^st Depot Battalion, EOR (Eastern Ontario Regiment) under the MSA in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 4021554

Ø  Next of kin given as Pitre Desbiens, father, Chambord, Quebec

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the 4^th Regimental Draft

Noted as being a Defaulter

Mar 30, 1918

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at Kingston, Ontario

Apr 17, 1918

The depot’s 4^th draft embarked the SS Toloa in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Apr 28, 1918

Disembarked in England and proceeded to Seaford where the entire draft was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Jun 21, 1918

Sentenced to 21 days Field Punishment No. 2 for being late for P.T. then leaving the area

Sep 26, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 27, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Sep 28, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Oct 3, 1918

While still at the reinforcement camp, before he could join the 21^st Battalion at the front, he was transferred to the 44^th Battalion

Oct 6, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Desbiens joined the 44^th Battalion resting in billets at Douai, France

Oct 22, 1918

Admitted to the No. 12 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Oct 26, 1918

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance and rejoined the 44^th Battalion

Apr 27, 1919

Embarked in Havre, France and disembarked in Southampton, England and proceeded to Bramshott where he was posted to “E” Wing pending return to Canada

May 13, 1919

Admitted to the No. 12 Canadian General Hospital in Bramshott with a diagnosis that reads Vincents Angina, inflamed tonsils

May 23, 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital

May 28, 1919

Embarked the Empress of Britain in Liverpool

Jun 4, 1919

Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec and proceeded to Montreal, Quebec where he was Taken On Strength Station “F”, Military District No. 4

Jun 9, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Montreal, Quebec

Ø  Rank in discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 274168

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Montreal, Quebec

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Perron, Quebec

Sep 22, 1960

Jean Baptiste Desbiens died in St. Jerome, Quebec