Mar 13, 1894

Born in London, England

Jul 23, 1896

After the death of his mother, he was placed in the care of the Dr. Barnardo’s Homes in Birmingham

Mar 20, 1903

Embarked the SS Canada in Liverpool under the care of the Barnardo’s Boys Home

Mar 28, 1903

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario.  He was subsequently moved to Huntsville, Ontario where he was placed in the home of Mr. George Scott to be employed as a Domestic

Jun 2, 1911

The 1911 Census shows him living with Mr. Michael Duffy as an employee

Oct 29, 1914

TOS (Taken On Strength) the 45^th Victoria Regiment, Canadian Militia in Lindsay, Ontario

Nov 5, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 60110 (temporary number 632)

Ø  Next of kin given as D. Duffy, friend, Downeyville, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 45^th Regiment, Canadian Militia

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Assigned to “E” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

 
Even though he signed his attestation papers on this date, he was not actually placed on the payroll of the 21^st Battalion until November 10^th, but the attestation papers were backdated to October 29, 1914.

Nov 10, 1914

SOS (Struck Off Strength) the 45^th Regiment and placed on the payroll of the 21^st Battalion

May 5, 1915

SOS (Struck Off Strength) the 21^st Battalion as Medically Unfit

 
A medical history completed in 1919 mentions that he suffered from Pneumonia in 1915 and this was the likely cause of him not departing from Kingston with the battalion for England

Jun 10, 1915

Embarked the SS Hesperian in Montreal

Jun 19, 1915

Disembarked in Plymouth, England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp

Jun 21, 1915

Arrived from Canada and rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the West Sandling Camp.  On arrival he signed new attestation papers and had a new medical exam performed by the battalion’s Medical Officer

 Reassigned to “C” Company

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Nov 16, 1915

Admitted to the No. 11 General Hospital in Boulogne with a severe wound to his left foot.

Nov 19, 1915

Invalided to England

 
On arrival in England he was admitted to the Duchess of Connaught Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Taplow

 
Posted to the 39^th Reserve Battalion for pay purposes while in hospital

Dec 18, 1915

Transferred to the Hillingdon House Convalescent Hospital in Uxbridge to continue his recovery

Dec 23, 1915

Discharged from hospital to duty with the 39^th Reserve Battalion and granted Sick Leave

Jan 10, 1916

Admitted to the Military Hospital in Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Jan 11, 1916

Transferred to the 1^st Northern General Hospital in Newcastle for treatment

Feb 25, 1916

Discharged from hospital

Apr 18, 1916

Fined 2 days pay and allowances for 2 days absence

Apr 23, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 24, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 853 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

May 11, 1916

Pay restricted for absence

May 15, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Fletcher joined the 21^st Battalion in the T & R front line trenches near Voormezeele, Belgium

May 19, 1916

Forfeited 2 days pay for absence

Oct 24, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza and transferred the same day to the Divisional Rest Station at the No. 4 CFA

Oct 28, 1916

Discharged to duty from the rest station

Nov 17, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), more commonly known as Trench Fever.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Nov 20, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 Stationary Hospital in Arques, France

Dec 21, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Sep 17, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Sep 30, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Nov 19, 1917

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA with a strained side and back as a result of an accident

Nov 22, 1917

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance

Aug 28, 1918

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA with shrapnel wounds to both legs suffered during the battalion’s advance on the Sensee River.  He was transferred overnight to the No. 33 Casualty Clearing Station for treatment 

Aug 30, 1918

Transferred to the No. 55 General Hospital in Boulogne

Sep 15, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Coninck

 
On arrival in England he was admitted to the 1^st London General Hospital

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

Oct 21, 1918

Transferred to the No. 16 Canadian General Hospital in Orpington

Jan 3, 1919

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Liverpool

Feb 2, 1919

Invalided to Canada aboard the Hospital Ship Araguaya

Feb 13, 1919

Disembarked in Portland, Maine, USA and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

Feb 15, 1919

Admitted to Queens University Military Hospital

Mar 16, 1919

Transferred to the Kingston General Hospital with an infection in his right eye and suffering from complications from the shrapnel wounds to his legs.  X-Rays show shrapnel fragments in both legs

Jun 4, 1919

Discharged from hospital and posted to the MD #3 Casualty Company in Kingston

Jun 7, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 278822

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C55739

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 192 Seaton St., Toronto, Ontario

 
Following his discharge the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 299 Church St., Toronto, Ontario

Mar 10, 1920

Living at 192 Seaton St., Toronto, Ontario

 
In 1956 he was reported to be employed by Bell Canada as a supervisor for crews laying underground telephone cable

Aug 25, 1966

Cecil Fletcher died in Toronto, Ontario and was buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery there