Apr 5, 1898

Born in Bangor, Ireland to Henry and Hannah (nee McCready) Hughes

He gave conflicting years for his birth.  On attesting he gave 1898, he gave 1901 in a medical exam in England, he gave 1900 in a medical exam in Canada after the war, and when he married in December 1919, he gave his age as 20.  I could not determine which, if any, of those dates were correct

Jan 8, 1916

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

Ø  Number 725145

Ø  Next of kin given as Hannah Hughes, mother, 19 Hamilton, Rd., Belfast, Ireland

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farming

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

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 20, 1916

Transferred to the No. 3 Special Service Company, Military District No. 3, Kingston

Sep 8, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Corporal

Nov 28, 1916

Transferred to the 252^nd Battalion CEF in Kingston

Dec 3, 1916

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request

Dec 9, 1916

Sentenced to 2 days detention for an unrecorded offence

Jun 2, 1917

The 252^nd Battalion embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jun 9, 1917

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

Jun 27, 1917

Sentenced to 2 days Field Punishment No. 2 for an unrecorded offence

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion and arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Nov 17, 1917

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

Nov 24, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Hughes joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line near Acheville, France and employed as a Runner

Nov 29, 1917

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

Dec 11, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in the Cellars Camp near Neuville St. Vaast, France from the 4^th Field Company

Mar 4, 1918

While in the front line near the railway tracks on the outskirts of Lens, France, the enemy conducted a large raid on the 21^st Battalion lines, mainly fronted on the Aloof Trench. Private Hughes was wounded by shrapnel in his right shoulder, left arm, lower back and right leg.  He was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Mar 5, 1918

Transferred via the No. 35 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 4 General Hospital in Camiers, France

X-Rays show shrapnel embedded in his right shoulder and lower back and that the left humerus bone was fractured.

Surgery was performed to remove shrapnel pieces from his right shoulder

Mar 23, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Herne Bay Military Hospital, Kent

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

May 23, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Monks Horton, Kent

Jun 13, 1918

X-Ray shows shrapnel embedded in the spine of his lower back.  This was the cause of considerable pain

Jul 12, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Liverpool

Sep 24, 1918

Embarked the SS Tunisian in London

Oct 7, 1918

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength Military District No. 2

Oct 8, 1918

Admitted to the Whitby Ontario Military Hospital

Granted leave to October 22, 1918

Feb 4, 1919

Forfeited 2 days pay for being absent from the hospital from 10 pm February 3 to 10 pm February 4, 1919

Feb 20, 1919

Discharged from the Whitby Hospital

Feb 25, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 89886

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C54514

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 86 Rosemount Ave., Hamilton, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 18 Victoria Ave. S., Lindsay, Ontario

Dec 24, 1919

Married to Myrtle Wilhelmina Gneveckow in Lindsay, Ontario

May 13, 1966

Joseph Herbert Hughes died as reported to Veterans Affairs Canada