Dec 20, 1893

Born in Carleton Place, Ontario

Nov 6, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59289 (temporary number 423)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. May Edwards, Watrous, Saskatchewan

Ø  Previous occupation given as Butcher

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to “D” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “B” Company

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

May 3, 1915

In April, Private Edwards was sentenced to 28 days detention for an unspecified offence.  The date for this sentence was not recorded in the file.  On this date, May 3, 1915, the unexpired portion of his sentenced was remitted due to the imminent departure of the battalion

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 2, 1915

Fined $2.00 for being drunk

Jun 18, 1915

Sentenced to 120 hours detention and fined $6.00 for being drunk

Jun 28, 1915

Sentenced to 10 days detention and fined $6.00 for being drunk

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Nov 4, 1915

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Nov 8, 1915

Transferred to the Division Rest Station at the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance

Nov 11, 1915

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance

Jan 7, 1916

Attached to the 250^th Tunnelling Company for duty

Jan 31, 1916

Sentenced to 96 hours detention for being drunk and being absent

Feb 2, 1916

Admitted to the No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Influenza and transferred the same day to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance

Feb 7, 1916

Transferred to the 3^rd Canadian Tunnelling Company

Feb 13, 1916

Transferred to the Division Rest Station at Mont des Cats, France

Feb 21, 1916

Discharged from the rest station and joined the 3^rd Canadian Tunnelling Company

Feb 23, 1916

Admitted to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Feb 25, 1916

Transferred to the No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance

Mar 2, 1916

Discharged from the field ambulance to duty

Mar 24, 1916

Admitted to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Suspected Tuberculosis and was transferred to the No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance

Mar 30, 1916

Discharged to duty

Apr 6, 1916

Admitted to the North Midlands Casualty Clearing Station with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis and transferred to the No. 50 Casualty Clearing Station

Apr 8, 1916

Transferred via the No. 20 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 18 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Apr 23, 1916

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples

May 2, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

May 4, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he rejoined the 3^rd Canadian Tunnelling Company

Aug 11, 1916

Sentenced to 2 days Field Punishment for being absent after curfew, being out of bounds and not in possession of his pay book.

Sep 20, 1916

Attached to the 2^nd Canadian Tunnelling Company

Sep 26, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 Stationary Hospital in Arques, France with a diagnosis that reads Otitis Media, ear infection

Oct 9, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 18, 1916

Private Edwards rejoined his unit

Dec 31, 1916

Sentenced to 7 days Field Punishment #1 for disobeying an order from a superior and insolence to a superior officer

Feb 25, 1917

While in resting in camp, Private Edwards was accused of creating a disturbance and was taken in custody to await trial by General Field Court Martial

Mar 9, 1917

At the Court Martial testimony was given and he was convicted of “When on active service he was guilty of conduct to the prejudice and good order of discipline in that he, in the field on 25-2-17 created a disturbance in camp after lights out”.  He was sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment #1.

Mar 10, 1917

Proceeded to the 2^nd ANZAC Headquarters under escort to serve his sentence

May 22, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Jun 3, 1917

Rejoined his unit from leave

Oct 16, 1917

While returning from a work party south west of Ypres, Belgium, the group was subjected to gas shelling that resulted in 3 men being killed and Private Edwards suffered severe effects.  He was evacuated to the No. 57 Field Ambulance suffering from the effects of Mustard Shell Gas

Oct 17, 1917

Transferred to the No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station

Oct 18, 1917

Transferred to the No. 7 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples

Oct 23, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

On arrival in England he was admitted to the 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester

Transferred to the CERD (Canadian Engineers Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Nov 7, 1917

Transferred to the Woodlands Hospital in Wigan.  On admission a persistent cough and intermittent pain in his heart is noted

Jan 18, 1918

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Jan 28, 1918

Transferred to the 3^rd Canadian Convalescent Depot

May 30, 1918

Discharged to duty with the Canadian Engineers Regimental Depot and attached to the 1^st Canadian Engineers Reserve Battalion

Jul 18, 1918

Ceased to be attached to the reserve battalion and transferred to the Canadian Engineers Regimental Depot for pay purposes after being admitted to the Barnwell Military Hospital in Cambridge with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Sep 2, 1918

Discharged from hospital and posted to the Depot Company, Canadian Engineers Regimental Depot

Oct 4, 1918

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

Oct 14, 1918

Admitted to the Canadian Hospital in Etchinghill, Lyminge with a diagnosis that reads Gonorrhea

Jan 24, 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jan 29, 1919

Posted to the Depot Company Canadian Engineers Regimental Depot

Feb 19, 1919

Posted to No. 10 Wing, CCC (Canadian Concentration Camp) Kinmel Park pending return to Canada

Feb 22, 1919

Embarked the SS Belgic in Liverpool

Mar 2, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Winnipeg, Manitoba where he was Taken On Strength No. 10 District Depot and posted to the Casualty Company and granted 14 days leave

Mar 29, 1919

Medical Board in Winnipeg notes

Ø  Man suffers from DAH (Disordered Activity of the Heart)

Ø  His heart problem stems from being poisoned by Mustard Gas in France

Ø  Suffers from shortness of breath

Ø  Gets dizzy after exertion

Ø  Gets dizzy if he gets up quickly

Ø  Reports that he cannot march with pack

Ø  After being gassed he was employed as a butcher in various units

Ø  His cough has improved since coming back to Canada

Ø  He is unable resume work for at least 6 months

Apr 11, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 165977

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge PO Box 239 Watrous, Saskatchewan

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at PO Box 239 Watrous, Saskatchewan