Robert Higgins

Apr 15, 1896

Born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA

 

Jun 4, 1917

Attested into the 230th Battalion CEF in Port Arthur, Ontario

Ø  Number 1013641

Ø  Next of kin given as George Barnum, friend, 430 W. 1st St., Duluth, Minnesota, USA

Ø  Previous occupation given as Iron Worker

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the Nova Scotia Forestry Depot

 

Jun 25, 1917

Embarked the SS Justicia in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Jul 4, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Sunningdale and absorbed into the CFCBD (Canadian Forestry Corps Base Depot) to continue training

 

Jul 21, 1917

Transferred to No. 56 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps in Sunningdale

 

Jul 22, 1917

No. 56 Company disembarked in Havre, France and proceeded to join No. 6 Group, Canadian Forestry Corps near Gérardmer, France

 

Sep 4, 1917

Sentenced to 5 days Field Punishment No. 2 for overstaying a pass by 1 day and forfeited a total of 7 day’s pay

 

Oct 16, 1917

Sentenced to 3 days Field Punishment No. 2 and forfeited a total of 5 day’s pay for being absent overnight October 14-15, 1917

 

Oct 20, 1917

Sentenced to 21 days Field Punishment No. 1 for:

1.     Being drunk on duty

2.     Striking an NCO

3.     Resisting an escort

 

Dec 19, 1917

Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment No. 1 for being absent from 9.00 am November 15 until Noon November 17, 1917 and forfeited a total of 31 day’s pay.  It is noted that the sentencing had been remanded twice

 

Dec 20, 1917

Proceeded to the No. 1 Field Punishment Compound in Rouen, France to serve his sentence

 

Jan 21, 1918

Rejoined No. 56 Company after serving his field punishment in Rouen

 

Feb 17, 1918

Sentenced to 15 days Field Punishment No. 1 for being absent from parade until being placed in detention on December 16, 1918

 

Feb 23, 1918

Placed in confinement for attempting to kick a superior while being tied up to serve his field punishment at La Chaume, France

 

Mar 15, 1918

Tried by Field General Court Martial in Paris, France charged with

1.     Attempting to kick the Company Sergeant Major who was tying him up to serve his field punishment

2.     Breaking loose and rushing into the Orderly Room and confronting the Commanding Officer

He pled Not Guilty on both charges.  He was found Guilty on both charges and sentenced to 9 months in Confinement With Hard Labour.

On appeal, the General Office Commanding reduced the sentence to 6 months Confinement With Hard Labour

 

Mar 25, 1918

Entered the No. 1 Military Prison in Rouen, France to serve his sentence

 

Apr 20, 1918

His sentence was reduced to 3 months while in prison on the condition that he be transferred to a Canadian front line Infantry battalion

 

Apr 22, 1918

Transferred to the 21st Battalion while in prison

 

Jun 14, 1918

Released from prison on completion of 3 months of his sentence and proceeded to the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France

 

Jun 23, 1918

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

 

Jul 4, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Higgins joined the 21st Battalion in Fosseux, France

 

Aug 8, 1918

During the capture of Marcelcave, France, Private Higgins received wounds to his left leg and was evacuated to the No. 1 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station

 

Aug 10, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Grantully Castle

 

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

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

 

Aug 20, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

 

Sep 5, 1918

Forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent from 9:30 pm August 25 until 6:15 pm August 26, 1918

 

Sep 16, 1918

Sentenced to 14 days detention for

1.     Absent from Defaulters Call on August 29, 1918

2.     Failure to comply with an order given by an NCO

3.     AWL (Absent Without Leave) from 7 pm August 29 until 9:45 pm August 31, 1918

 

Oct 7, 1918

Discharged from hospital and attached to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Seaford for physical training and exercise

Granted 10 days sick leave

 

Oct 29, 1918

Granted permission to marry

 

Nov 27, 1918

Attached to the No. 1 Canadian Command Depot in Witley

 

Dec 19, 1918

Married to May Lilian Taylor in Seaford

Her address was given as c/o YMCA Spring Gardens, Buxton

 

Jan 7, 1919

Attached to the No. 1 CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

 

Feb 8, 1919

Embarked the SS Metagama in Liverpool

 

 

Feb 16, 1919

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 2 Casualty Company in the Exhibition Camp

 

Feb 19, 1919

Granted leave until March 5, 1919

 

Mar 17, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 85270

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 63 Grange St., Toronto, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him c/o Invermay, Saskatchewan

 


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