John Edward Devany


Jun 22, 1896

Born in Dalhousie West, Nova Scotia to William and Sarah (nee Ramsay) Devany

 

Sep 17, 1915

Attested into the 64th Battalion CEF in Sussex, New Brunswick

 

Ø  Number 470362

Ø  Next of kin given as William Devany, father, Upper Clements, Nova Scotia

Ø  Previous occupation given as Fireman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

 

Jan 10, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal

 

Feb 15, 1916

Admitted to hospital with a diagnosis that reads Rubella (Measles)

 

Feb 29, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Mar 31, 1916

Embarked the SS Adriatic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Apr 9, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the East Sandling camp where the battalion was absorbed into the 40th Reserve Battalion

 

Jul 12, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Jul 14, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 21st Battalion

 

Aug 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in the Halifax Camp, near Brandhoek, Belgium

 

Aug 11, 1916

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Devany joined the 21st Battalion in the front lines near Voormezeele, Belgium

 

Aug 15, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), a fever without a known cause.  This was later changed to read Influenza

 

Aug 16, 1916

Transferred to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance

 

Aug 18, 1916

Transferred to the No. 2 Division Rest Station

 

Aug 21, 1916

Discharged from the rest station and rejoined the 21st Battalion resting in Ridgewood, Belgium

 

Sep 15, 1916

Private Devany received a shrapnel wound to his right shoulder and arm that fractured his humerus as he was leaving the trench to begin the attack on the sugar factory south of Courcelette, France.  He was evacuated to a nearby field ambulance for first aid before being transferred to a casualty clearing station

 

Sep 17, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis

 

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Fort Pitt Military Hospital in Chatham

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

 

Nov 28, 1916

Transferred to the Preston Hall Military Hospital in Maidstone

 

Feb 22, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Military Hospital in Eastbourne

 

Mar 10, 1917

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

 

Mar 24, 1917

Granted 5 days leave

 

Apr 11, 1917

Embarked the Hospital Ship Letitia in Liverpool

 

 

Apr 20, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Admitted to the Convalescent Home in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

 

Apr 22, 1917

Transferred to the Pine Hill Hospital in Halifax

 

Apr 27, 1917

X-Ray shows 2 pieces of shrapnel in his right arm and surgery was performed to remove both pieces

 

Nov 10, 1917

To be treated as an out-patient of the Pine Hill Hospital

 

Jan 6, 1918

To be treated as an in-patient of the Pine Hill Hospital

 

Apr 6, 1918

Transferred to the Military District No. 6 Casualty Company for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Apr 16, 1918

Medical exam makes note of his shrapnel wound and shows that the strength in his right arm is reduced by 1/3 and is 1 inch shorter than his left.  He has partial loss of function of his right arm and is recommended for light duty only

 

May 4, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

May 6, 1918

Transferred to the Military District No. 6 Casualty Company

 

May 28, 1918

Transferred to the No. 6 District Depot in Halifax

 

Jun 15, 1918

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant

 

Oct 1, 1918

Appointed to the position of Records Sergeant

 

Sep 25, 1919

Admitted to the Camp Hill Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Osteomyelitis

 

Sep 30, 1919

Transferred to the Hospital Section for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Oct 24, 1919

Medical exam at the Camp Hill Hospital notes

Ø  Right arm is shorter than left

Ø  Loss of function of right arm due to adhesion to his shoulder, a result of his shrapnel wounds

Ø  Complains of loss of strength, occasional numbness and is easily tired.

Ø  Board recommends discharge from service

 

Oct 30, 1919

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the Military District No. 6 Casualty Company

 

Nov 5, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Ø  Rank on discharge Sergeant

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 233659

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge RR #2 Royal Annapolis, Nova Scotia

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at RR #2 Royal Annapolis, Nova Scotia

In June, 1923, John Devany, and his wife Edith, entered the United States and proceeded to Gary, Indiana

 

Apr 6, 1964

John Edward Devany died in Gary, Indiana, USA and was buried in the Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, Indiana

 


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