Nov 18, 1889

Born in Nissouri Township, Middlesex Ontario to William and Rachel (nee Lougheed) Dinsmore

Jan 26, 1916

Attested into the 135^th Battalion in London Ontario

Ø  Number 802812

Ø  Next of kin given as William John Dinsmore (father) of 70 Blackfriars St. London Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Cigar Maker

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

The Battalion trained at Camp Borden Ontario

Jun 20, 1916

Forfeited 3 days pay for being absent

Aug 18, 1916

Forfeited 10 days pay for being absent

Left Camp Borden by train for Halifax, Nova Scotia

Aug 21, 1916

Embarked the RMS Olympic at Halifax Nova Scotia

Aug 30, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Witley Camp

Oct 15, 1916

Transferred to the 116^th Battalion in Bramshott

Dec 22, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Dec 23, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at Le Havre France and TOS the 21^st Battalion

Jan 21, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

Feb 26, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Dinsmore joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line west of Vimy Ridge, France

Aug 15, 1917

During the capture of Hill 70 near Lens, France, Private Dinsmore was shot in the face and the bullet lodged in his jaw, causing multiple fractures.  He was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) where emergency surgery was performed to stop bleeding and removal of some teeth.  He was then transported to a casualty clearing station

Aug 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 2 South African Hospital in Abbeville, France

Aug 20, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Grantully Castle

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Berrington War Hospital, Shrewsbury

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

Sep 11, 1917

Transferred to the No. 16 Ontario Military Hospital in Orpington, Kent where surgery was performed to remove the bullet and dead bone fragments.  A splint was put in place with at note that it would be required for about a year

Feb 5, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Kirkdale, Liverpool

Feb 16, 1918

Embarked the Hospital Ship Llandovery Castle in Liverpool

Mar 1, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to London, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength Military District No. 1 and admitted to the London Military Convalescent Hospital

Apr 24, 1918

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

May 4, 1918

Reported to hospital and forfeited a total of 18 days pay for his absence

May 9, 1918

Minor surgery performed to remove exposed dead bone

Still difficult to chew solid food

May 14, 1918

Reported to be Absent Without Leave

May 21, 1918

Reported to hospital and forfeited a total of 22 days pay for his absence

Aug 7, 1918

Dental report in London, Ontario

Ø  Patient will require special diet for at least 1 year

Ø  During that time, he should see Dental Officer every month to check on splint and healing progress

Ø  Patient will require bridge in about 1 year when the healing process is complete

Ø  An exophthalmic goiter is noted

Aug 17, 1918

Discharged from hospital and posted to the Military District No. 1 Casualty Company

Aug 20, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in London, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A” and Class “B”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 70 Blackfriars St., London, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 70 Blackfriars St., London, Ontario

Jul 23, 1920

Married to Margaret Elizabeth Fortnum in Santa Ana, California

Apr 12, 1972

William John Dinsmore died in Los Angeles, California