Apr 11, 1898
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Born at
Campbellton New Brunswick
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Aug 20, 1915
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Attested into
the 55th 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
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Aug 25, 1915
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Battalion
transferred to Valcartier Quebec
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Oct 30, 1915
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Embarked the RMS
Corsican at Montreal Quebec
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Nov 9, 1915
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Disembarked at
Devonport England
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Apr 22, 1916
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Transferred to
the 21st Battalion
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Apr 24, 1916
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Arrived at CBD
(Canadian Base Depot) at Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion
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May 13, 1916
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Proceeded to
join unit
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May 15, 1916
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Joined the 21st
Battalion in the field
The Battalion was in the T & R
trenches in the Voormezeele area
Assigned to
“A” Company
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Aug 9, 1916
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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
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Aug 10, 1916
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Transferred via
No 18 AT (Ambulance Transport) to No 13 General Hospital at Boulogne
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Aug 12, 1916
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Discharged to
Base Details at Boulogne
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Aug 18, 1916
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Posted to CBD at
Havre classed as TB (Temporary Base Duty)
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Aug 25, 1916
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Admitted to No 7
Canadian Stationary Hospital at Havre with Tonsillitis
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Aug 29, 1916
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Transferred to
Convalescent Depot at Havre
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Sep 10, 1916
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Classification
of TB removed
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Sep 12, 1916
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Arrived at 2nd
Entrenching Battalion
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Sep 16, 1916
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Rejoined the 21st
Battalion in the field
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Sep 18, 1916
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Appointed to
rank of Lance Corporal to replace L/Cpl WH Canning who had been wounded
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Nov 5, 1916
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Proceeded to
Divisional Bombing School on course
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Nov 13, 1916
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Returned to duty
from Bombing Course
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May 19, 1917
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Appointed to
rank of Acting Lance Corporal without pay
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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
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Aug 16, 1917
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Admitted to 1SA
(1st South Africa) Hospital at Abbeville, with wounds to right thigh and neck
acquired during the fighting at Hill 70
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Sep 4, 1917
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Discharged to
Base Depot at No CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre
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Sep 17, 1917
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Left to join
unit
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Sep 19, 1917
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Joined the 21st
Battalion in the field
The Battalion was in the front line
trenches near Villers au Bois
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Sep 28, 1917
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Promoted to rank
of Cpl
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Sep 29, 1917
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Granted 10 days
leave
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Oct 13, 1917
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Rejoined
Battalion from leave
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Nov 2, 1917
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Awarded the
Military Medal per the London Gazette #30364
The citation reads
For conspicuous bravery and bold
determination. This NCO although blown up and stunned by an explosion in a mined
dug-out, persisted in carrying on his duties and later led a small party in a successful
assault on a much superior force operating from a house. Subsequently he rendered
valuable assistance in the capture of a machine gun, this after a severe fight in which
its crew were killed. On both these occasions this NCO was wounded, but insisted on
staying in the line until ordered out by an Officer. He set a splendid example of
aggressiveness and endurance to his comrades.
AFW 3121 28-8-17.
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Nov 12, 1917
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First reported
missing then reported to be admitted to No 3 Canadian General Hospital with Trench Feet
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Nov 14, 1917
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Transferred to
No 11 CFA
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Nov 18, 1917
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Invalided to
England aboard the Hospital Ship St Denis
Posted to the
EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital
Admitted to 2nd
Western General Hospital at Manchester
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Dec 16, 1917
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Transferred to
No 13, Canadian General Hospital at Hastings
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Jan 4, 1918
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Posted to the 6th
Reserve Battalion at Seaford
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Mar 6, 1918
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Appointed to
rank of Acting Lance Sgt with pay
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May 7, 1918
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Appointed to
rank of Acting L/Sgt without pay
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Jul 24, 1918
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Appointed to
rank of Acting Sgt with pay
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Sep 4, 1918
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Admitted to
Canadian Military Hospital at Etchinghill, Lyminge with a diagnosis of Syphilis
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Sep 25, 1918
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Reverts to rank
of Cpl due to surplus of Sgt ranks
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Oct 16, 1918
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Discharged from
hospital
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Jun 23, 1919
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Embarked the SS
Belgic at Liverpool
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Jul 1, 1919
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Disembarked at
Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to St John New Brunswick
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Jul 2, 1919
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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
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Sep 27, 1922
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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
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Apr 9, 1959
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Deceased at
Soldier’s Memorial Hospital, Campbellton New Brunswick due to Lung Cancer
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