Dec 1, 1876

Born in Paisley, Scotland to Archibald and Christina (nee Miller) Fairlie

May 30, 1916

Attested into the 168^th Battalion CEF in London, Ontario 

Ø      Number 675968

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. Christina Fairlie, mother, The Manse, Lerwick, Shetland Isles., Scotland

Ø      Previous occupation given as Book-Keeper

o       Previous occupation was later recorded as Newspaper Editor

Ø      Previous military experience given as 5 years in the Argyle & Sutherland Highland Volunteers in Scotland

Ø      Religion given as Church of England 

The battalion initially trained in Camp Francis, near London, Ontario before moving to Camp Borden to continue training

Jul 25, 1916

Admitted to the Camp Borden Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Gonorrhea

Jul 28, 1916

Transferred to the Kapuskasing Hospital for treatment

Aug 14, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 30, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nov 11, 1916

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

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the new battalion, it moved to Seaford

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 402 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Apr 21, 1917

Private Fairlie left the CBD along with 1,383 men to reinforce the battalions on the front line.  It seems that the men left as 1 group and the reinforcements were dropped off at the various battalions along the front lines as they were located

May 5, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in an observation line on Vimy Ridge

Jul 5, 1917

Admitted to the No. 8 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with defective vision

Jul 7, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from the CFA

Aug 15, 1917

During the battalion’s attack on Hill 70, Private Fairlie received shrapnel wounds to his legs, hip and abdomen and was evacuated to the No 4 CFA for first aid

Aug 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) where surgery was performed to remove some shrapnel from his bladder.  Shrapnel was also found to have penetrated his bowel and lower groin

Aug 25, 1917

Placed on the seriously ill list

Sep 11, 1917

Transferred to the No. 18 General Hospital in Dannes Camiers for treatment.  Hemorrhoids is added to the diagnosis

Sep 24, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Coninck

On arrival in England he was admitted to the 2/1^st Southern General Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham 

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

Oct 2, 1917

Requested a transfer to a hospital in Scotland if possible in order to have family members visit him.

Dec 11, 1917

Transferred to the 4^th Scottish General Hospital in Stobhill, Glasgow, Scotland

Jan 8, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Military Convalescent Hospital in Epsom

Jan 18, 1918

Transferred to the No. 18 Canadian General (Ontario) Military Hospital, Orpington, Kent.  X-rays taken show several pieces of shrapnel remain in his pelvis region

Jun 3, 1918

Invalided to Canada, embarking the Hospital Ship Neuralia in Avonmouth

Jun 4, 1918

TOS the No. 1 District Depot in London, Ontario

Jun 14, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to London, Ontario

Jun 17, 1918

Admitted to the Wolseley Barracks Hospital, London, Ontario

Jul 9, 1918

Surgery performed to repair damage to the bowel

Aug 16, 1918

Discharged from hospital and posted to the Casualty Company

Aug 21, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in London, Ontario 

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge 161 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, Ontario

Mar 14, 1919

Admitted to the Toronto General Hospital with complications from his original wounds

Mar 19, 1919

Discharged to the SCR (Soldier’s Civil Re-Establishment)

Apr 12, 1920

John Fairlie died in the Toronto Western Hospital of peritonitis that was a result of complications from surgery.  He was buried in the Prospect Cemetery in Toronto

Following the his death the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Christina Fairlie, c/o The Manse, Ardrossan, Scotland