James Sinclair Don


Nov 28, 1893

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland

 

Oct 20, 1917

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at New Westminster, British Columbia

 

Jan 3, 1918

Conscripted into the 1st Depot Battalion, BCR (British Columbia Regiment) under the MSA in Vancouver, British Columbia

Ø  Number 2020553

Ø  Next of kin given as Georgina Don, mother, 1720 – 7th Ave., New Westminster, British Columbia

Ø  Previous occupation given as Electrical Worker

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to the 6th Regimental Draft

 

Feb 27, 1918

The 6th Regimental Draft embarked the SS Metagama in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Mar 11, 1918

Disembarked in Glasgow, Scotland and proceeded to Seaford, England where the draft was Taken On Strength of the 1st Reserve Battalion to continue training

 

Mar 16, 1918

Medical exam in Seaford notes that he suffers from Pes Cavus (high arches, sometimes called claw feet) in both feet. 

Doctors recommend that he is unable to march

 

Mar 26, 1918

Transferred to the BCRD (British Columbia Regimental Depot) and attached to 1st Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

May 7, 1918

Transferred back to the 1st Reserve Battalion, then attached to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Seaford for physical training

 

May 9, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian General Depot and attached to the Canadian Labour Battalion for duty

 

May 17, 1918

Transferred to the 1st Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Aug 20, 1918

Transferred to the 7th Battalion

 

Aug 21, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 7th Battalion

 

Aug 23, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in Aubin St. Vaast, France

 

Aug 29, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Don joined the 7th Battalion in the front line at Vis en Artois, France

 

Sep 23, 1918

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Oct 2, 1918

After leaving the 7th Battalion, Private Don joined the 21st Battalion in the Hindenburg Support Line and was posted to “A” Company

 

Dec 13, 1918

The 21st Battalion led the 2nd Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Siegburg

 

 

Mar 4, 1919

Proceeded on course in Belgium

 

Mar 30, 1919

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Orchitis NV

 

Mar 31, 1919

Transferred to the No. 53 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Apr 2, 1919

Discharged from hospital care and transferred to the Canadian Records List in Havre, France

 

Apr 13, 1919

Proceeded to England

On arrival in England, he was transferred back to the 21st Battalion and attached to “P” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

 

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

 

 

May 22, 1919

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

 

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 277389

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 1032 Leith St., New Westminster, British Columbia

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Suite 70-64, 7th Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia

 

Jun 7, 1926 Married to Jennie Mae Blakely in the St. Giles United Church, Vancouver, British Columbia

May 27, 1969 Surgery performed at the Vancouver General Hospital for Lung Cancer

Jun 2, 1969 James Sinclair died of a heart attack while a patient of the Vancouver General Hospital and was buried in hte Abbey, Ocean View Burial Park, Burnaby, British Columbia



Thanks to Jim Busby for supplying the post war information


Return to Tribute list

Home

Contact