Albert Desermeau


Jan 22, 1890

Born in Mattawa, Ontario to Joseph and Annie (nee O’Brien) Desermeau

 

Feb 11, 1915

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 59256 (temporary number 1236)

Ø  Next of kin given as Annie O’Brien, Mattawa, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Timber Cruiser

o   Later noted as Forest Ranger

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the Base Unit

Albert's brother, Frank Desermeau, attested into the battalion the same day

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

 

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

 

Jun 21, 1915

To be employed as Post Office Clerk

 

Jul 18, 1915

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

 

Jul 19, 1915

Reported for duty and fined 2 day’s pay for his absence

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

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

 

Jun 5, 1916

Granted 9 days leave.  This leave was later extended by 1 day

 

Jun 22, 1916

While the battalion was in reserve in the Bedford House area near the Bluff in Belgium, Albert Desermeau received shrapnel wounds to his back and chest that penetrated his stomach and his left lung.  He was evacuated to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transferred to the No. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station).

 

Jun 24, 1916

Transferred to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, France

 

Jul 3, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Western Australia

 

On arrival in England he was admitted to the 2nd Western General Hospital, Ducie Ave., Manchester

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

 

Sep 8, 1916

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

 

Sep 14, 1916

Transferred to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe for dental treatment

 

Oct 11, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the CCAC in Folkestone

 

Oct 16, 1916

Readmitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital with Acute Bronchitis

 

Oct 25, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the CCAC in Shoreham

 

Oct 31, 1916

Attached to the Canadian Convalescent Depot in Shoreham for 6 weeks of Physical Training

 

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes

 

Mar 23, 1917

Ceased to be attached to the convalescent depot and discharged from St. Leonard’s Hospital

 

Apr 3, 1917

Granted sick leave until May 29, 1917 to travel to Canada at his own expense

 

Apr 14, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Liverpool

 

 

Apr 20, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Mattawa, Ontario

 

May 10, 1917

Medical Board held at Ottawa, Ontario notes

Ø  Patient suffered from a shrapnel wound to his chest in June of 1916

Ø  A piece of shrapnel remains lodged in his left lung and is considered inoperable

Ø  Patient coughs up blood in the mornings

Ø  Suffers from night sweats and moderate tremor in both hands

Ø  Board recommends that “this man is unfit for overseas service and his discharge is recommended”

 

May 29, 1917

Leave extended to June 29, 1917

 

Jun 13, 1917

Struck Off Strength of the Eastern Ontario Regiment on being retained in Canada for duty

 

Dec 30, 1917

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Mattawa, Ontario

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

 


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