Norman Garnet Gainsford


Jul 12, 1898

Born in Tunbridge Wells, England to George and Eliza (nee Fisher) Gainsford

 

Oct 30, 1912

Embarked the SS Royal George in Avonmouth

 

 

Nov 7, 1912

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec

 

Nov 6, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 59347 (temporary number 757)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Gainsford, 9 Dorking Road, Tunbridge Wells, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “G” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “D” Company

He lied about his age, stating that he was born July 12, 1896, not his actual birth year of 1898

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

 

Dec 7, 1914

Admitted to the Kingston Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Scabies

 

Dec 16, 1914

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

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

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

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

 

Nov 30, 1915

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment No. 2 plus 15 hours of extra fatigue duty and forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent from camp in Ridgewood and being arrested in Dikkebus, Belgium, drunk.

 

May 6, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Inflamed Intestines

 

May 8, 1916

Discharged from the field ambulance and rejoined the battalion

 

Jun 10, 1916

Sentenced to 21 days Field Punishment No. 1 and forfeited 2 days pay for being absent from 7 pm June 5 til 3.30 pm June 7

 

Jul 4, 1916

His true age was discovered and he was sent back to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France

 

Jul 7, 1916

Evacuated to England and transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

 

Aug 11, 1916

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) as under age, but remained attached to the 39th Reserve Battalion for Permanent Base Duty

 

Jan 4, 1917

Attached to the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion in East Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the battalion, it was moved to Seaford to train soldiers for the front

 

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes and remained attached to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

May 22, 1918

Ceased to be attached to the 6th Reserve Battalion

 

May 23, 1918

Attached to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot)

 

Jun 27, 1918

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Jul 8, 1918

Sentenced to 21 days detention for being absent from training parade.  Sentence to be served in the Wandsworth Prison.  Forfeited 21 days pay while in prison

 

Jul 27, 1918

Rejoined the 6th Reserve Battalion from prison

 

Aug 23, 1918

Attached to the 3rd Canadian Command Depot

 

Sep 4, 1918

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 5, 1918

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 134 reinforcements from England and Taken On Strength the 21st Battalion

 

Sep 9, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

 

Sep 11, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Gainsford rejoined the 21st Battalion near Villers-les-Cagnicourt, France as part of a draft of 50 reinforcements

 

Nov 28, 1918

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads ICT (Inter Connective Tissue) infection in his left knee.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 44 Casualty Clearing Station

 

Dec 4, 1918

Transferred to the No. 42 Casualty Clearing Station

 

Dec 7, 1918

Transferred via the No. 28 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 4 General Hospital in Camiers

 

Dec 15, 1918

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot

 

Dec 19, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 Convalescent Depot

 

Jan 21, 1919

Discharged from the convalescent depot and joined the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

 

Jan 27, 1919

Proceeded to England and transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot and attached to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Feb 3, 1919

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Apr 27, 1919

Transferred to the 21st Battalion and attached to “P” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

 

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Minnekahda in Liverpool

 

 

May 23, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Montreal, Quebec

 

Jun 25, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Montreal, Quebec

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 299626

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge General Post Office, Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 259 Prior St., Vancouver, British Columbia

 

Dec 7, 1951

Norman Garnet Gainsford died in Vancouver, British Columbia and was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery there

 


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