Sep 7, 1891

Born in Cornwall, Ontario to Eli Horace and Ellen (nee Buchanan) Girard

Nov 18, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59369 (temporary number 1010)

Ø  Next of kin given as Eli Girard, father, Cornwall, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

o   Later noted as Paper Maker

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the Headquarters Company

o   Later posted to “C” Company

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

Mar 23, 1915

Forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent

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

While in England, Private Girard played on the battalion’s lacrosse team that held matches in Folkestone against other battalions of the CEF

Aug 19, 1915

Admitted to the St. Martin’s Plains Hospital in West Sandling with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Sep 2, 1915

Posted to the Depot Company while in hospital

Sep 14, 1915

The 21^st Battalion embarked for France while Private Girard remained behind

Sep 20, 1915

Transferred to the 1^st Northern General Workhouse Hospital in Newcastle on Tyne

Sep 25, 1915

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling while in hospital

Oct 21, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 31, 1915

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Nov 2, 1915

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 450 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Nov 9, 1915

After leaving the base depot, Private Girard rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line trenches near Voormezeele, Belgium

Sep 17, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Corporal to replace Cpl AH Forbes who had been promoted

Nov 18, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Nov 26, 1916

Proceeded on the Lewis Gun Course

Dec 3, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from course and posted to the Machine Gun Section

Dec 15, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

Dec 28, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Mar 22, 1917

Attached to the 4^th Canadian Machine Gun Company for duty

Apr 7, 1917

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.  This was later changed to read Influenza

Apr 10, 1917

Transferred to the No. 23 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Apr 11, 1917

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne

Apr 13, 1917

Transferred to the No. 10 Convalescent Depot in Ecault

May 4, 1917

Transferred to the No. 3 Rest Camp in Boulogne

May 8, 1917

Discharged from the rest camp and reported to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre and posted to “A” Company for those recovering wounds and illness

Jun 5, 1917

After leaving the base depot Private Girard rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Coupigny, France

Sep 15, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Sep 26, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Nov 3, 1917

The 21^st Battalion moved in the front at Crest Farm, Passchendaele, Belgium and immediately came under an enemy artillery barrage.  Corporal Girard received shrapnel wounds to his left arm and wrist and was evacuated to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 44 Casualty Clearing Station

Nov 5, 1917

Transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, France where surgery was performed to remove the shrapnel

Nov 8, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Ville de Leige

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

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

Nov 22, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Nov 24, 1917

Transferred to the Manor, County of London, War Hospital in Epsom

Dec 17, 1917

Skin from another patient was grafted onto his left arm to heal an open wound

Mar 8, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

May 17, 1918

Attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) and granted 10 days sick leave

Jun 3, 1918

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot

Jun 8, 1918

Admitted to the Canadian Military Hospital in Etchinghill with a diagnosis that reads Venereal Disease Gonorrhea

Jun 24, 1918

Transferred to the 3^rd Canadian Command Depot while in hospital

Sep 26, 1918

Attached to the St. Leonard’s Hospital for physical training

Nov 27, 1918

Attached to the Depot Company of the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot

Dec 10, 1918

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

Dec 28, 1918

Attached to No. 3 Wing, Kinmel Park pending return to Canada

Jan 12, 1919

Embarked the SS Empress of Britain in Liverpool

Jan 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength No. 3 District Depot Sub Depot

Jan 23, 1919

Granted leave until February 8, 1919

Feb 21, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Corporal

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 81132

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C50700

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Cornwall, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Smith Ave., Cornwall, Ontario

Jun 30, 1924

Married to Florida Lemire in Cornwall, Ontario

Jun 25, 1975

John Horace Girard died in Cornwall, Ontario and was buried in the Notre Dame Cemetery there