1897

Born in Staford, Ontario to Severe and Marie (nee Leblanc) Desjardins

Jan 3, 1918

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

Jan 4, 1918

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

Ø  Number 3055181

Ø  Next of kin given as Severe Desjardins, father, Staford, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the 3^rd Regimental Draft

Oscar Desjardins could not read or write and an “X” was used instead of a signature where required and noted as “his mark”.

On attesting he stated he did not know his actual birth date

Feb 21, 1918

The 3^rd Regimental Draft embarked the SS Melita in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Mar 4, 1918

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

Aug 9, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

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

Aug 15, 1918

After leaving the base depot, Private Desjardins joined the 21^st Battalion

Sep 24, 1918

While in the front line at Canal du Nord near the Arras – Cambrai Road, Private Desjardins received a shrapnel wound that fractured his right collar bone and he was evacuated to the 2/1 British Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 23 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Sep 26, 1918

Transferred via the No. 14 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 25 General Hospital in Hardelot, France

Sep 29, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Coninck

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the No 16 Canadian General Hospital in Orpington

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

Dec 17, 1918

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Granted 10 days sick leave

Jan 9, 1919

Attached to Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

Jan 19, 1919

Embarked the SS Aquitania in Liverpool

Jan 25, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength Military District No. 3 Sub Depot

Jan 27, 1919

Granted leave until February 10, 1919

Feb 21, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 81760

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Pembroke, Ontario

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

Jul 25, 1922

Married to Eglantine Lair in the St. Columba’s Church, Pembroke, Ontario

Sep 24, 1994

Oscar Desjardins is reported to have died in Pembroke, Ontario