Adam Durham


 
 

 

Apr 11, 1890

Born at Cockenzie Scotland

 

Mar 18, 1916

Attested at Cornwall Ontario into the 154th 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 6th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling Camp, near Hythe

 

Apr 17, 1917

Sent on a draft to the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at CBD (Canadian Base Depot) and TOS (Taken On Strength) of 21st Battalion

 

May 21, 1917

Joined the 21st Battalion in the field

 

Dec 1, 1917

Attached to 182nd Coy, RE (Company, Royal Engineers)

 

Dec 21, 1917

Rejoined the 21st Battalion from the 182nd 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 6th 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 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade Headquarters on February 11, 1918.

 

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

Court Member             Major HD Fearman, DSO                19th Cdn Bn

                                    Captain RW Catto, MC                   19th Cdn Bn

 

Charge: 

633808, Pte Durham A, 21st Battalion, when on active service, absenting himself without leave, in that he was absent from his unit from 6.30 am, 25th January 1918, until 6.30 am 3rd 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, 21st 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 21st Battalion and on the 4th 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 25th 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, 21st Battalion.  He produced Pte Durham’s paybook which showed he had been granted leave from January 11th, to January 25th, 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 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade. 

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

 

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