Sep 12, 1893

Born in Eganville, Ontario to Henry and Agnes (nee Tracey) Hamelin                                   

Nov 7, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59413 (temporary number 877)

Ø  Next of kin given as Henry Hamelin, Aylmer, Quebec

Ø  Previous occupation given as Sailor

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to “H” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “D” Company

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

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

May 26, 1915

Sentenced to 10 days Confined to Barracks and 20 Hours of Extra Drill for being absent from afternoon parade

Jun 17, 1915

Sentenced to 3 Days Confined to Barracks for refusing to obey an order

Jul 9, 1915

Sentenced to 7 days Confined to Barracks for Conduct Endangering Lives of Comrades and Insolence to an NCO

Jul 19, 1915

Sentenced to 5 days Detention, forfeiture of 3 day’s pay, and 10 days Confined to Barracks for being absent from Midnight July 16 to Reveille July 19, 1915

Jul 28, 1915

Admitted to the St. Martin’s Plain Hospital with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea) and described as  Chancroid and Bubo (a painful swelling)

Sep 2, 1915

Posted to the Depot Company while in hospital

Sep 3, 1915

Transferred to the Barnwell Military Hospital in Cambridge

Sep 14, 1915

The 21^st Battalion embarked for France while Private Hamelin remained in hospital

Sep 25, 1915

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

Oct 19, 1915

Transferred to the Central Military Hospital in Shorncliffe

Oct 30, 1915

Forfeited 8 day’s pay for being absent from the hospital

Oct 31, 1915

Discharged from hospital and 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

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the front lines near Voormezeele, Belgium

Dec 22, 1915

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Conjunctivitis, an eye infection and transported to the No. 4 Stationary Hospital

Dec 26, 1915

Discharged from hospital to duty at the Canadian Base Depot in Havre, France

Dec 30, 1915

Admitted to the No. 2 General Hospital in Havre with a diagnosis that read NYD (Not Yet Determined).  This was later changed to read Cataracts

Jan 2, 1916

Discharged to duty at the Palais des Regate, Havre

Jan 3, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

Jan 15, 1916

Sentenced to 7 days CB (Confined to Barracks) for being absent from camp for the 8 am parade

Feb 17, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Hamelin rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front lines near Voormezeele, Belgium

Feb 24, 1916

Leave suspended for 3 months and sentenced to 3 months Fatigue Duty for being absent from Fatigue duty

Mar 28, 1916

Sentenced to 10 Hours Extra Fatigues for being absent from Fatigues

Apr 15, 1916

Sentenced to 5 Hours Extra Fatigues for being absent from camp

Apr 18, 1916

Sentenced to 10 Hours Extra Fatigues for leaving from Fatigue duty without permission

Apr 29, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Orchitis VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea) and transferred the same day to the No. 17 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment.  He was transferred later that day to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne

Apr 30, 1916

Transferred to the Division Rest Station

May 16, 1916

Transferred to the No. 9 Stationary Hospital in Havre

May 31, 1916

Transferred to the No. 12 Camp in Harfleur and forfeited 50¢ per day for 14 previous days

Jun 1, 1916

Discharged to Field Punishment at the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

Jun 3, 1916

Sentenced to 15 Days Field Punishment #1 for being absent and for hesitating to obey an order

Jun 7, 1916

Taken On Strength the Canadian Base Depot from Field Punishment

Jun 10, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Dickebusch, Belgium

Jun 27, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Shell Shock.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station for further treatment

Jun 28, 1916

Transferred to the No. 14 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, France

Jun 30, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Canadian Convalescent Camp in Boulogne

Jul 6, 1916

Discharged to the Base Details in Boulogne

Jul 10, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in Havre and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Aug 2, 1916

Reprimanded for Neglect of Duty by failing to report for Convoy Duty

Aug 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in the Halifax Camp, near Brandhoek, Belgium

Aug 27, 1916

Sentenced to 7 Days Field Punishment #1 for Disobeying a Lawful Command

Aug 28, 1916

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Hamelin rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Zouafques, France

Sep 2, 1916

Admonished for being absent from 9:15 Roll Call

Sep 15, 1916

During the attack on the sugar factory south of Courcelette, France, Private Hamelin was reported Missing in Action

Sep 16, 1916

Private Hamelin was discovered on the battlefield with a Contusion to his head and was evacuated to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the Division Rest Station at the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance at Fosse 10

Nov 2, 1916

Private Hamelin recovered from his head wound and was transferred to the ADMS (Assistant Director Medical Services) and posted to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance at Fosse 10

Nov 28, 1916

Forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent without permission

Jan 17, 1917

Joined the Canadian Base Depot in Havre

Feb 6, 1917

Admitted to the No. 39 General Hospital with a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet Determined).  This was later changed to read VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Feb 19, 1917

Discharged to the Canadian Base Depot in Havre

Feb 22, 1917

Fined 14 day’s pay for being drunk

Mar 5, 1917

Rejoined the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance near Cambligneul, France

Mar 7, 1917

Admitted to his own No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Scabies.  Transferred the same day to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance

Mar 8, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance

Mar 18, 1917

Discharged to duty with the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance

Mar 23, 1917

Forfeited 14 day’s pay for being drunk

Apr 21, 1917

Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment for Malingering by reporting sick when he had been warned for duty

Apr 30, 1917

Sentenced to 28 Days Field Punishment No. 1 for Committing a Nuisance in Thelus Cave the previous day

May 18, 1917

Tried by General Field Court Martial and charged with disobeying a lawful command by a superior.  He pled Not Guilty, but after testimony was given that he refused to fall in for parade, he was found Guilty and sentenced to 90 Days Field Punishment No. 1.  The sentence was reduced to 56 Days Field Punishment No. 1.  It was noted that at the time of the offence, he was serving a field punishment sentence and the 56 day sentence was to be served consecutive to the current sentence.

Sep 13, 1917

Granted leave

Sep 20, 1917

Admitted to the Paris Detention Hospital while on leave with a diagnosis that reads Appendicitis

Sep 22, 1917

Transferred to the No. 8 General Hospital and Pleurisy was added to the diagnosis

Oct 13, 1917

Discharged to the CGBD (Canadian General Base Depot) from hospital

Oct 31, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France

Dec 8, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Hamelin rejoined the 5^th Canadian Field Ambulance near Estrée Couchie, France

Dec 10, 1917

Sentenced to 15 Days Field Punishment No. 1 for being absent from 9 pm Roll Call until 10:30 pm same day

Apr 4, 1918

Admitted to the No. 90 Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Quinsy and transferred the same day to the No. 43 Casualty Clearing Station.

Apr 6, 1918

Transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 6 Stationary Hospital before being transferred to the No. 4 General Hospital in Camiers where the diagnosis was changed to read Tonsillitis

Apr 15, 1918

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot

Apr 17, 1918

Transferred to the No. 10 Convalescent Depot in Ecault

Apr 25, 1918

Discharged to the Canadian General Base Depot in Etaples

May 2, 1918

After leaving the base depot, Private Hamelin rejoined the 5^th Canadian Field Ambulance in Gouy-en-Artois, south-west of Arras, France

Oct 19, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Nov 5, 1918

Admitted to the Crescent Military Hospital in Croyden while on leave with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Transferred to the CAMC (Canadian Army Medical Corps) Casualty Company for pay purposes while in hospital

Nov 26, 1918

Transferred to the No. 16 Canadian General Hospital in Orpington

Dec 17, 1918

Discharged from hospital with 10 days sick leave.  He was given orders to report to the Canadian Army Medical Corps Casualty Company in Shorncliffe on completion of his leave

Dec 27, 1918

Although the actual date for the marriage was not recorded, Joseph Hamelin changed his next of kin to read Laura Hamelin (nee Dodwell), wife

Dec 31, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Army Medical Corps Reserve and Training Depot in Shorncliffe

Jan 23, 1919

Forfeited a total of 14 day’s pay for being absent from December 30, 1918 to December 31, 1918

Feb 7, 1919

Sentenced to 15 days Field Punishment No. 1 and forfeited total of 21 day’s pay for being absent from January 23 to January 29, 1919

Feb 17, 1919

Attached to the No. 7 Canadian Sanitation Section in Shorncliffe

Feb 25, 1919

Attached to the No. 3 Canadian Sanitation Section in Bramshott

Mar 26, 1919

Attached to the 2^nd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Ripon for duty

Apr 3, 1919

Rejoined the Canadian Army Medical Corps in Shorncliffe

Apr 5, 1919

Sentenced to 15 days Field Punishment No. 1 and forfeited total of 16 day’s pay for being absent from 12.00 noon April 4 until 1.15 am April 5, 1919

May 7, 1919

Posted to the No. 16 Canadian General Hospital in Orpington

May 18, 1919

Reported to be Absent Without Leave at 2359 hrs

May 24, 1919

Forfeited 10 day’s pay for being absent from May 18 to May 23, 1919

Jun 4, 1919

Reported to be absent

Jun 12, 1919

Reported for duty 0730 hrs

Sentenced to 10 days Field Punishment No. 1 and forfeited total of 19 day’s pay for his absence

Jul 7, 1919

Attached to the 2^nd CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in London pending discharge

Discharged from the CEF in London, England

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Propose residence on discharge 157 Moffatt Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey, England

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 77 Front Street, Aylmer, Quebec

Dec 21, 1919

Embarked the SS Scotian in Southampton with his wife Laura, and son William

Jan 2, 1920

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick

Apr 17, 1973

Joseph Hamelin died in an Ottawa Hospital and was buried in the St. Paul’s Cemetery, Aylmer, Quebec