Adam Durham


Apr 11, 1890	Born at Cockenzie Scotland
Mar 18, 1916	Attested at Cornwall Ontario into the 154^th Battalion Ø Number 633808 Ø Current address given as 641 Somerset St Ottawa Ontario Ø Next of Kin given as Mrs Maggie Durham (mother) of 2612 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia o Next of Kin was later changed to his wife, Mrs Adam Durham Ø Previous occupation given as “Stone Mason” Ø Previous military experience given as “3 years Scottish Horse” Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
Oct 5, 1916	On “Particulars of Enlisted Man” he states Ø He is married and his wife’s name is Charlotte Durham, of 641 Somerset St Ottawa Ontario Ø Father’s name – Adam Durham of 2612 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia Ø Mother’s name – Margaret Durham of 2612 Douglas St, Victoria, British Columbia
Oct 25, 1916	Embarked the SS Mauretania at Halifax
Oct 31, 1916	Disembarked at Liverpool England
Jan 31, 1917	Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling Camp, near Hythe
Apr 17, 1917	Sent on a draft to the 21^st Battalion
Apr 18, 1917	Arrived at CBD (Canadian Base Depot) and TOS (Taken On Strength) of 21^st Battalion
May 21, 1917	Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field
Dec 1, 1917	Attached to 182^nd Coy, RE (Company, Royal Engineers)
Dec 21, 1917	Rejoined the 21^st Battalion from the 182^nd Coy, RE
Jan 12, 1918	Granted 14 days leave
Feb 3, 1918	Arrested at Victoria Train Station, London for being Absent Without Leave
Feb 4, 1918	Rejoined Battalion from leave, and placed in confinement
Feb 11, 1918	Brought before Field General Court Martial for being Absent Without Leave. He was convicted and sentenced to 60 days of Field Punishment No. 1 Transcript of Court Martial proceedings below He also forfeited 10 days pay
Mar 4, 1918	Admitted to No 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a GSW (Gun Shot Wound) in the left thigh, and then transferred to No 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) (Note that this was also recorded as happening on March 5. The assumption is that it happened during the night of March 4/5, 1918
Mar 9, 1918	Transferred to No 24 General Hospital, Etaples, France
Mar 13, 1918	Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven and posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) at Seaford, England On arrival in England was admitted to the Chester War Hospital
Apr 6, 1918	Transferred to Woodcote Park Convalescent Hospital, Epsom, England
Apr 11, 1918	Stated that “I do not wish to make a will”
Jul 17, 1918	Discharged from hospital and TOS 6^th Reserve Battalion on posting from EORD
Dec 12, 1918	Embarked the SS Regina at Liverpool for Canada
Dec 13, 1918	SOS (Struck Off Strength) Kimmel Park on transfer to Canada
Dec 20, 1918	Disembarked in Canada at Quebec City
Jan 11, 1919	Discharged from the CEF at Ottawa Ontario
	British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to 6761 Murray Ave., Seattle (note that the record does not indicate USA)

SUMMARY OF COURT MARTIAL PROCEEDINGS

Adam Durham

Library and Archives Canada Reference

Name:	Durham, Adam
Regimental Number:	633808
Rank:	Private
Unit:	21st Battalion
Date:	1918/02/11
Offence:	AA Section 15
Remarks:	Absence without leave
Reference:	RG150 - Ministry of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada, Series 8, File 649-D-6197, Microfilm Reel Number T-8655, file access code 90, Finding Aid Number 150-5

The Court Martial proceedings were convened at 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade Headquarters on February 11, 1918.

President: Lieut-Colonel LE Jones, DSO 18^th Cdn Bn

Court Member Major HD Fearman, DSO 19^th Cdn Bn

Captain RW Catto, MC 19^th Cdn Bn

Charge:

633808, Pte Durham A, 21^st Battalion, when on active service, absenting himself without leave, in that he was absent from his unit from 6.30 am, 25^th January 1918, until 6.30 am 3^rd February 1918, when he reported to Railroad Transport Officer at VICTORIA STATION, returning to his unit.

He was absent a total of 9 days.

The charge was signed by Major HW Cooper, temporary Commander, 21^st Canadian Battalion.

Pte Durham was not represented by Legal Counsel.

Pte Durham plead Guilty

First Witness for the Prosecution

59200 Sergt HGM Cordes

Sergt Cordes testified that he was the Orderly Room Clerk for the 21^st Battalion and on the 4^th of February, 1918, at 8.00 pm the accused reported to be returning from leave. By the stamp on his warrant, it showed he was absent from the 25^th of February and was placed under close arrest.

The accused declined to question the witness

Second Witness for the Prosecution

59176 Corpl E Cockburn

Corpl Cockburn testified he was the Paymaster’s Clerk, 21^st Battalion. He produced Pte Durham’s paybook which showed he had been granted leave from January 11^th, to January 25^th, 1918.

The accused declined to question the witness

633808, Pte Durham was found guilty by the Members of the Tribunal, and sentenced to 60 days Field Punishment Number 1. This punishment was confirmed by Lieut-Colonel Elmer W Jones, temporary Commander of the 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade.

(Note: Lieut-Colonel EW Jones was the Commanding Officer of the 21^st Canadian Battalion, temporarily Commanding the 4^th Brigade)