Joseph Harold (Henry) Dubien

 

Jun 15, 1895

Born in Ottawa Ontario to an unknown mother.  He was later adopted by Alphonse and Bridget Anne (nee Mahoney) Dubien

 

Nov 7, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion at Kingston Ontario

 

Ø  Number 59276 (temporary number 855)

Ø  Next of kin given as Alphonse Dubien (father) of 125 Cumberland St., Ottawa Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the Depot Company

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Aug 19, 1915

Transferred to 15 Platoon, “D” Company

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

May 1, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

 

Aug 28, 1916

Attached to the 4th Field Company, Canadian Engineers for duty with the Carrying Party

 

Sep 12, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from the Canadian Engineers

 

Sep 15, 1916

During the capture of the sugar factory, south of Courcelette, France, Private Dubien received a severe wound that fractured his left leg and was evacuated first to a field ambulance for first aid, then to a casualty clearing station for further treatment

 

Sep 16, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St Patrick

 

On arrival in England he was admitted to the Kitchener War Hospital in Brighton

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Oct 31, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

 

Dec 20, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the CCAC in Hastings

 

Dec 21, 1916

Attached to the CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) for PT (Physical Training)

 

Feb 13, 1917

Discharged from the convalescent depot and transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Mar 21, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

 

Apr 13, 1917

Admitted to the Ravenscroft Hospital in Seaford with a diagnosis that reads Pleurisy

 

Jul 23, 1917

Discharged from the Ravenscroft Hospital and transferred to the 3rd Canadian Convalescent Depot and admitted to the St. Leonard’s Hospital for more physical training

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

 

Sep 30, 1917

Transferred to the Military Hospital in Eastbourne with complications from his fractured leg

 

Oct 20, 1917

Ceased to be attached to the convalescent depot on being admitted to hospital in Seaford

 

Mar 22, 1918

Discharged from hospital and attached to the 3rd Canadian Command Depot in Seaford

 

Jun 13, 1918

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Sep 26, 1918

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 27, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 1,000 reinforcements from England and Taken On Strength the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 28, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

 

Oct 3, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Dubien rejoined the 21st Battalion on the Hindenburg Support Line near Bourlon Wood

 

Dec 13, 1918

The 21st Battalion crossed the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Seigburg

 

 

Mar 9, 1919

Private Dubien proceeded to Namur, Belgium for guard duty

 

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the SS Western Australia at Le Havre France

 

Disembarked in England and proceeded to Witley and Taken on Strength of “P” Wing for processing for return to Canada

 

Apr 18, 1919

Medical Board at Witley notes

Ø  Man suffers from Bronchitis

Ø  Has loss of function on the respiratory system

Ø  Has slight Emphysema in both lungs

Ø  Complains of shortness of breath and tightness in his chest

Ø  Reports that he was treated many times by the battalion’s Medical Officer

 

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

 

 

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded by train to Kingston, Ontario

 

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 277464

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 380 Clarence St., Ottawa, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 164 Clarence St., Ottawa

In 1924 Henry, as he was known, went to work for the Singer Sewing Machine Company and remained there for 36 years, retiring in 1959.  He was an ardent supporter of the Boy Scouts and served as a Scout Master for 17 years.

He was married and as of 1960 had 2 daughters

 

Jun 23, 1967

Joseph Harold Dubien died at St. Jean-Iberville, Quebec

 

On October 28 1918 the 21st Battalion was in billets in the town of Auberchicourt France.  The soldiers would have been quartered in homes and buildings around the town.  A Belgian resident purchased an antique wardrobe and on inspecting it discovered some hand writing on the inside of one of the doors.  The photos are below, and self explanitory.



Photos by Ignace Verstraeten, Belgium

This shows that the soldiers left their names in more places than just the caves and barns of Europe.


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