Apr 11, 1898

Born at Campbellton New Brunswick

Aug 20, 1915

Attested into the 55^th Battalion at Sussex New Brunswick 

Ø      Number 445495

Ø      Next of kin given as George Dobson (father) of Campbellton New Brunswick

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

o       Later noted as Railroad Car Man

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company

Aug 25, 1915

Battalion transferred to Valcartier Quebec

Oct 30, 1915

Embarked the RMS Corsican at Montreal Quebec

Nov 9, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England

Apr 22, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 24, 1916

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

May 13, 1916

Proceeded to join unit

May 15, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in the T & R trenches in the Voormezeele area 

Assigned to “A” Company

Aug 9, 1916

Admitted to No 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) and transferred same day to No 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with contusions to head and injuries to eyes

Aug 10, 1916

Transferred via No 18 AT (Ambulance Transport) to No 13 General Hospital at Boulogne

Aug 12, 1916

Discharged to Base Details at Boulogne

Aug 18, 1916

Posted to CBD at Havre classed as TB (Temporary Base Duty)

Aug 25, 1916

Admitted to No 7 Canadian Stationary Hospital at Havre with Tonsillitis

Aug 29, 1916

Transferred to Convalescent Depot at Havre

Sep 10, 1916

Classification of TB removed

Sep 12, 1916

Arrived at 2^nd Entrenching Battalion

Sep 16, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the field

Sep 18, 1916

Appointed to rank of Lance Corporal to replace L/Cpl WH Canning who had been wounded

Nov 5, 1916

Proceeded to Divisional Bombing School on course

Nov 13, 1916

Returned to duty from Bombing Course

May 19, 1917

Appointed to rank of Acting Lance Corporal without pay

Aug 9, 1917 

The Battalion carried out a raid on enemy trenches, and below is from the Battalion’s War Diary

From the book Ordinary Heroes by Stephen J Nichol, page 129

Aug 16, 1917

Admitted to 1SA (1^st South Africa) Hospital at Abbeville, with wounds to right thigh and neck acquired during the fighting at Hill 70

Sep 4, 1917

Discharged to Base Depot at No CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre

Sep 17, 1917

Left to join unit

Sep 19, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in the front line trenches near Villers au Bois

Sep 28, 1917

Promoted to rank of Cpl

Sep 29, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Oct 13, 1917

Rejoined Battalion from leave

Nov 2, 1917

Awarded the Military Medal per the London Gazette #30364

This was awarded for his performance during the action at Hill 70

Nov 12, 1917

First reported missing then reported to be admitted to No 3 Canadian General Hospital with Trench Feet

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to No 11 CFA

Nov 18, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St Denis

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital 

Admitted to 2^nd Western General Hospital at Manchester

Dec 16, 1917

Transferred to No 13, Canadian General Hospital at Hastings

Jan 4, 1918

Posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Mar 6, 1918

Appointed to rank of Acting Lance Sgt with pay

May 7, 1918

Appointed to rank of Acting L/Sgt without pay

Jul 24, 1918

Appointed to rank of Acting Sgt with pay

Sep 4, 1918

Admitted to Canadian Military Hospital at Etchinghill, Lyminge with a diagnosis of Syphilis

Sep 25, 1918

Reverts to rank of Cpl due to surplus of Sgt ranks

Oct 16, 1918

Discharged from hospital

Jun 23, 1919

Embarked the SS Belgic at Liverpool

Jul 1, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to St John New Brunswick

Jul 2, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at St John New Brunswick 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 268830

Ø      Rank on discharge shown as Acting L/Sgt

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge – Campbellton New Brunswick

Sep 27, 1922

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to c/o CNR Station Campbellton New Brunswick

 Post war, Russell Dobson worked as a conductor for the Canadian National Railway

Apr 9, 1959

Deceased at Soldier’s Memorial Hospital, Campbellton New Brunswick due to Lung Cancer