Aug 15, 1895

Born in Bobcaygeon, Ontario to William and Margaret (nee Trennum) Hamilton

Feb 9, 1916

Attested into the 109^th Battalion CEF in Bobcaygeon, Ontario

Ø  Number 725602

Ø  Next of kin given as William Hamilton, father, Bobcaygeon, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 6 months in the 45^th Victoria and Haliburton Regiment

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “C” Company

In the spring of 1916, the 109^th Battalion moved to Camp Borden near Barrie, Ontario for advanced training

In early July 1916, the battalion moved to the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

Jul 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp, near Longmoor, Hampshire

Aug 16, 1916

The battalion moved to Bramshott to continue training

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Oct 22, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Hamilton joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Bully Grenay, France and was posted to “B” Company

Nov 1, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a sprained knee

Nov 2, 1916

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance and rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Calonne, France

Nov 12, 1916

Attached to the 4^th Canadian Field Company, Canadian Engineers for duty

Dec 18, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Calonne, France from temporary duty with the engineers

Jan 17, 1917

The 21^st Battalion conducted a large 200 man trench raid on the enemy front line at Calonne, France.  Private Hamilton received shrapnel wounds to his left leg and was evacuated to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Jan 20, 1917

Transferred to the No. 4 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Jan 28, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Warilda

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Feb 8, 1917

Transferred to the Sunnyside Whalley Range Hospital in Manchester

While in hospital he developed mental issues and began hearing voices telling him what to do and being delusional

Mar 10, 1917

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

Mar 24, 1917

Transferred to the Nell Lane Military Hospital in Manchester

Apr 16, 1917

Transferred to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe and placed in the Mental Ward.  On admission described as being in a Mental Stupor and suffering from delusional insanity.  Described as being incoherent and laughs continuously to himself.  His personal habits are described as “filthy” and on occasion he soils himself.

May 15, 1917

Transferred to the Lord Derby War Hospital in Warrington

Sep 14, 1917

Embarked the Hospital Ship Araguaya in Liverpool

Sep 25, 1917

Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec

Sep 26, 1917

Medical Board in Quebec City notes

Ø  Shrapnel wounds to his left knee are healed and give no disability

Ø  He suffers a disability from Dementia

Ø  His condition is deemed to be total and permanent

Ø  Board recommends treatment at the Newmarket Ontario Sanitarium

Sep 29, 1917

Admitted to the Newmarket, Ontario Asylum north of Toronto and his diagnosis was noted as Dementia

Feb 5, 1918

Medical exam at the Newmarket Hospital notes

Ø  Patient suffers from Dementia Praecox (premature dementia)

Ø  Has fixed delusions and auditory hallucinations

Ø  Is confused and shows considerable retardation

Ø  Recommendation made that he be discharged from the army and arrangements made for his maintenance in a Provincial Mental Hospital in Ontario

Mar 28, 1918

Discharged from hospital and from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge was not recorded

On being discharged, he was described as “incurably insane”.

I was unable to find what institution that he may have been placed in.

Following the end of the war, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Mansfield St., Bobcaygeon, Ontario

Mar 21, 1954

William Dwight Hamilton died of heart disease while a patient of the Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital, Toronto, Ontario and was buried in the Verulam Cemetery, Bobcaygeon, Ontario