Jan 28, 1901

Born in Madoc Township, Ontario

Jan 4, 1917

Attested into the 254^th Battalion CEF in Madoc, Ontario

Ø  Number 1093221

Ø  Next of kin given as Albert Graham, adopted father, Cooper, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

He lied about his age, stating that he had been born in 1898, not 1901

The battalion trained in the Belleville, Ontario area

May 29, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jun 9, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Seaford where it was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 83 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Nov 17, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Villers au Bois, France

Dec 2, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Gardiner joined the 21^st Battalion resting in the Suburban Camp in Villers au Bois, France

Apr 19, 1918

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), a fever without a known cause, sometimes referred to as Trench Fever.  He was transferred the same day to a casualty clearing station

Apr 20, 1918

Transferred to the No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital in Doullens, France

May 4, 1918

Transferred to the No. 8 General Hospital in Rouen, France.  After being assessed, he was transferred to the No. 2 Convalescent Depot in in Rouen

May 9, 1918

After being discharged from hospital care, he reported to the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

May 22, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in Aubin St. Vaast

May 30, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Gardiner rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line just west of Neuville Vitasse, France

Aug 26, 1918

During fighting west of the Sensee River, south-west of Vis en Artois, France, Private Gardiner received a shrapnel wound to his right hand and was evacuated to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 42 Casualty Clearing Station

Aug 27, 1918

Transferred via the No. 6 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 26 General Hospital in Etaples, France

Aug 28, 1918

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples

Sep 1, 1918

Transferred to the No. 12 Convalescent Depot in Aubengue, France

Sep 9, 1918

Transferred to the No. 10 Convalescent Depot in Ecault, France

Sep 12, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 Rest Camp in the St. Martin’s Camp, Ostrohove, France

Sep 15, 1918

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples

Sep 18, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Sep 20, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Gardiner rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line on the Arras – Cambrai Road on the west side of Canal du Nord

Oct 11, 1918

During the liberation of the town of Iwuy, France, Private Gardiner was wounded again, this time he received shrapnel wounds to both ankles and a fractured left arm.  He was evacuated to the No. 9 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 22 Casualty Clearing Station

Oct 13, 1918

Transferred to the No. 20 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Oct 17, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 4^th London General Hospital, and placed in the St. James Infirmary, Austen Road, Balham, London

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

Dec 3, 1918

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

While here, his true age was uncovered

Mar 28, 1918

Discharged from hospital and attached to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford

Granted 12 days leave

Apr 10, 1919

Attached to the Depot Company, Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford

Apr 23, 1919

Transferred to Military District No. 3 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

May 11, 1919

Embarked the SS Saturnia in Glasgow, Scotland

May 21, 1919

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 3 Casualty Company

May 22, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 279693

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge RR #3 Madoc, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at RR #3 Madoc, Ontario