Jan 7, 1887

Born in Kingston, Ontario to Francis “Frank” and Mary Ann (nee McHugh) Duffy

May 4, 1915

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59277 (temporary number 1359)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mr. Frank Duffy, father, Kingston, Ontario

o   There is a note to also notify Mrs. Sarah Healey, 57 Arch St., Kingston

Ø  Previous occupation given as Carpenter

o   Later noted as Cabinet Maker

Ø  Previous military experience given as 2 years in the Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the Depot Company and employed as a Dispatch Rider

The 21^st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

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

Jun 15, 1915

Although not recorded in his service file, Private Duffy was involved in a motor cycle accident in the town of Hythe while acting as a dispatch rider.  He collided with another motor cycle and both drivers were taken to the School of Musketry Hospital for treatment.  Private Duffy was later transferred to the Shorncliffe Military Hospital

Jun 19, 1915

Sentenced to 72 hours Detention for resisting his escort.  There is no mention in his file to indicate the reason for the escort, but one would assume it was in connection with his motor cycle crash.

 Thank you to Marian Rashleigh for the above article

Sep 1, 1915

Posted to “A” Company

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Dec 18, 1915

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Dec 19, 1915

Transferred to the DRS (Divisional Rest Station) at the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance in Locre, Belgium

Dec 25, 1915

Discharged to duty and rejoined the battalion in Ridgewood, Belgium

Sep 15, 1916

During the capture of the sugar factory south of Courcelette, France, Private Duffy received a bullet wound to his right arm and was evacuated first to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station.  He was then transported to the No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne

Sep 17, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis

On arrival in England he was admitted to the Military Hospital in Gravesend, Chatham

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

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the Horton County of London War Hospital in Epsom and Deafness in his left ear is added to the diagnosis

Surgery was refused to open his left nasal passage

Oct 21, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Nov 11, 1916

Transferred to the Westcliffe Canadian Eye and Ear Hospital and Otitis Media is added to the diagnosis

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

Notes on admission

Ø  Left ear discharging

Ø  Left eardrum perforated

Ø  Patient says he gets dizzy when overheated

Dec 8, 1916

Discharged to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre from hospital

Dec 13, 1916

Attached to the GDD (Garrison Duty Depot) in Folkestone for light duties

Dec 31, 1916

Attached to the DADMS (Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services) in Hastings

Jan 9, 1917

Attached to the ADMS (Assistant Director Medical Services) in Hastings

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Hastings

Apr 13, 1917

Attached to the Assistant Director Medical Services in Hastings

May 18, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Army Medical Corps Depot in Westenhanger and attached to the Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services in Hastings

Jun 7, 1917

Ceased to be attached and returned to Canadian Army Medical Corps Depot in Westenhanger

Jun 30, 1917

Transferred to the Ontario Military Hospital in Orpington for duty.  This hospital later became known as the No. 16 Canadian General Hospital

Sep 5, 1917

Attached to the Office of Damage Claims Board, London for duty

Oct 8, 1917

Graded for pay as Clerk Class 2

Nov 12, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Shorncliffe and attached to the OMFC (Overseas Military Force of Canada) Headquarters in London for duty

Apr 30, 1918

Transferred to the OMFC Headquarters permanent staff in London and ceased to draw Class 2 Clerk’s pay

Jul 12, 1918

Transferred to the General Depot in London

Jul 19, 1918

Transferred to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital in Buxton for duty as a Cabinet Maker

Nov 28, 1918

Admitted to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Otitis Media

Dec 5, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital

Dec 10, 1918

Transferred to Casualty Company, CAMC in Buxton

Dec 23, 1918

Attached to the 1^st CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

Jan 24, 1919

Embarked the SS Grampian in Liverpool

Feb 2, 1919

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

Feb 4, 1919

Taken On Strength the No. 3 Casualty Company in Kingston

Feb 5, 1919

Granted leave until February 18, 1919

Feb 18, 1919

Medical Board in Kingston notes

Ø  Suffers from Chronic Otitis Media

Ø  Bullet wound to right arm healed however he claims to have numbness in the arm and does not feel pin pricks

Ø  Right arm aches when he walks any distance

Ø  Suffers from dizziness and headaches

Ø  He seems to be totally deaf in left ear

Ø  Board deems his symptoms are a result of his service

Feb 22, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 90314

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C55385

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 57 Arch St., Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 214½ Earl St., Kingston

Feb 3, 1920

Married to Elaine Louise Stanley in Kingston, Ontario

Feb 11, 1950

James John Healey Duffy died in Kingston, Ontario