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Aug 21, 1894
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Born in Port Hope,
Ontario to John Wilson and Elizabeth (nee Kennedy) Douglas
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Nov 6, 1914
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Attested into the
21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario
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Number 59271 (temporary number 748)
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Next of kin given
as J Douglas, Ridout St., Port Hope, Ontario
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Previous
occupation given as Barber
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No previous
military experience given
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Religion given as
Wesleyan
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Posted to
“G” Company
o
This was later
reorganized into “D” Company
The 21st
Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of
1914-15.
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS
Metagama in Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in
Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling
Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St.
Seiriol in Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in
Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer
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Jul 21, 1916
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Attached to the
Woodcutting Party
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Aug 27, 1916
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Admitted to
hospital sick. On
admission to hospital he ceased to be attached to the Wood Cutting Party
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Aug 28, 1916
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Discharged from
hospital and rejoined the 21st Battalion
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Sep 16, 1916
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During heavy
fighting on the Somme south of Courcelette, France, Private Douglas was
buried by the explosion of an artillery shell.
When he was dug out by his comrades, he was
unconscious and evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance)
for first aid before being transported to the CCS (Casualty Clearing
Station) for treatment
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Sep 18, 1916
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Transferred to the
No. 10 Canadian Field Ambulance
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Sep 22, 1916
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Transferred to the
No. 4 Casualty Clearing Station
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Sep 24, 1916
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Transferred via
the No. 30 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 13 General
Hospital in Boulogne for evaluation.
He was then transferred to the No. 1
Convalescent Depot in Boulogne
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Sep 30, 1916
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Discharged to the
Base Details in Boulogne for light duties
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Oct 3, 1916
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Discharged from
the convalescent depot and reported to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in
the Rouelles Camp in Havre
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Oct 27, 1916
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Invalided to
England after his medical category was changed to
“C”, meaning he was only fit for duty in England
Transferred to the
CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre)
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Nov 2, 1916
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Medical Board at
Shoreham notes
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Patient suffers
from Flat Feet and nervousness
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Has improved
slightly since being buried by shell but still suffers from rapid heart
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Board recommends
he be given temporary base duty for 4 months
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Nov 5, 1916
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Attached to the
GDD (Garrison Duty Depot) for light duties
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Mar 6, 1917
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Admitted to the
Canadian Military Hospital in Hastings with a diagnosis that reads
Orchitis VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea).
The Gonorrhea diagnosis was dropped as there
was no evidence of that infection.
The Orchitis was a swelling of his testicles
that was treated
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Mar 21, 1917
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Discharged to duty
from hospital
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Mar 22, 1917
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Transferred to the
EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot)
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Apr 9, 1917
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Attached to the
CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada
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May 4, 1917
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Granted leave to
Canada at his own expense until July 13, 1917 to recuperate
Embarked the SS
Grampian in Liverpool
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May 14, 1917
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Disembarked in
Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario
On arrival in
Kingston he was admitted to the Convalescent Hospital
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Jun 26, 1917
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Medical Board in
Kingston notes
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Man suffers from
Shell Shock
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Suffers from knee
jerks and hand tremors
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Board recommends
his leave be extended by 2 months
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Aug 13, 1917
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Leave in Canada
was extended by 2 months, to September 13.
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Aug 29, 1917
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Medical Board in
Kingston notes
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Patient suffers
from Neurasthenia (Shell Shock)
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A result of being
buried by a shell explosion
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Complains of
sleeplessness and headaches
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Gets short of
breath when walking fast
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He is very
indefinite in his statements
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Avoids questions
giving indefinite answers
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Man is of
“neurotic temperment”
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Board
“can find no disability” and recommends he be
returned to England
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Nov 15, 1917
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Medical Board in
Kingston, Ontario notes
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Patient complains
of Rheumatic pain in different joints but worse in his feet
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Sleeps poorly
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Tires easily and
becomes short of breath on slight exertion
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Board notes that
“man is mentally retarded and is slow to understand”
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Has tremors in
fingers and has exaggerated knee jerks
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Board expects his
condition to last at least 6 months
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Board recommends
that he not be hospitalized as he can recover best at home
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Board recommends
he be classified “E”, meaning his unfit for any
service for 6 months
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Jan 27, 1918
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Private Douglas
embarked for England
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Feb 7, 1918
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TOS (Taken On
Strength) the Eastern Ontario Regiment Depot and attached to the 6th
Reserve Battalion in Seaford.
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Apr 18, 1918
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Attached to the
Canadian Discharge Depot in Buxton pending return to Canada
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Jun 24, 1918
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Embarked the SS
Empress of Britain in Liverpool
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Jul 3, 1918
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Disembarked in
Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario
On arrival in
Kingston he was Taken On Strength Military District Depot No. 3 and
granted leave until July 21, 1918
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Jul 25, 1918
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Medical Board in
Kingston notes
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Patient suffers
from VDH (Valvular Disease of the Heart) and Flat Feet
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Complains of
general weakness and frequent dizzy spells
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Gets short of
breath easily
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Has frequent sharp
cramping periods
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Suffers from pain
in his feet
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Patient says that
his condition worsens in hot weather
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Claims he was
buried by a shell in April of 1916, when in fact it happened in
September of 1916
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Board recommends
that he be discharged from service as medically unfit
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Aug 2, 1918
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Discharged from
the CEF in Kingston, Ontario
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Rank on discharge
Private
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War Service Badge
Class “A” issued
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Proposed residence
on discharge Port Hope, Ontario
Following his
discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were
sent to him at Ridout St., Port Hope, Ontario
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Oct 6, 1928
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Married to the
widow Lelah Verne Lafleur (nee Haviland) in Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Jan 26, 1956
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Harold Willis
Douglas died at home in Brantford, Ontario and was buried in the
Brantford Cemetery.
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