Oct 17, 1899

Born in Port Hope, Ontario to James Herbert and Catherine (nee Wilson) Irwin

Dec 9, 1915

Attested into the 136^th Battalion CEF in Port Hope, Ontario 

Ø      Number 805086

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. James Irwin, mother, Welcome, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Plumber

o       This was later noted as Student

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist 

He lied about his age, stating that he had been born in 1897, not the actual year of 1899. 

His brother, Edgar Edward Irwin, had attested into the same battalion a month earlier and had also lied about his age 

The battalion carried out training in the Port Hope area of Ontario

May 22, 1916

Admitted to the Port Hope Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Furuncle (a boil)

May 27, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Sep 25, 1916

Embarked the SS Corsican in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 6, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp near Hythe, Kent where the battalion was absorbed into the 39^th Reserve Battalion to continue training.

Dec 7, 1916

Transferred to the 64^th Battalion in Shoreham

Dec 29, 1916

Transferred to the 34^th Battalion in Shoreham

Apr 5, 1917

Attached to the CASC (Canadian Army Service Corps) for Q.R. (Quarters and Rations) and Clothing 

Attached to the Divisional Paymaster for duty at Shoreham

Apr 19, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while employed with the Paymaster

Jun 15, 1917

A Medical Board determined that he is underage and given medical category A4, meaning that he will be fit for full service when he reaches the age of 19

Oct 10, 1917

Admitted to Raven’s Croft Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Ingrown Toe Nail

Oct 15, 1917

Surgery performed to repair the ingrown toe nail

Nov 6, 1917

His brother Edgar was killed while with the 21^st Battalion on the Passchendaele front

Nov 14, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Nov 16, 1917

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Dec 9, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge for 2 years of service with good conduct

Feb 14, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Feb 15, 1918

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) as part of a group of 23 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Feb 18, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart as part of a group of 6 reinforcements destined for the 21^st Battalion

Mar 15, 1918

After leaving the CC Rein C, he joined the 21^st Battalion in Gouy-Servins as part of a draft of 105 reinforcements

Oct 25, 1918

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Ringworm in his head

Nov 3, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 CFA for treatment

Nov 12, 1918

Discharged to duty

Nov 25, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Namur Belgium, on their march towards Germany

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion crossed the Bonn Bridge and entered Germany as part of the occupying force to maintain stability following the Armistice

Jan 21, 1919

Granted 14 days leave to England

Feb 11, 1919

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe while on leave with a diagnosis that reads VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis) 

Posted to the EORD for pay purposes while in hospital

Feb 12, 1919

Transferred to the Canadian Special Hospital in Etchinghill

Mar 6, 1919

Discharged from hospital and posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Apr 10, 1919

Transferred to No. 3 Wing, Kinmel Park, Rhyl, Wales, pending return to Canada

May 3, 1919

Embarked the HMT Mauretania in Southampton

May 9, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

May 12, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 279276

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge 46 Russell St., Lindsay, Ontario

Jan 17, 1921

Married to Ida Mabel May Johnson in Niagara Falls, Ontario 

He listed his occupation as Railroader and the intended residence after marriage is listed as Niagara Falls

Jul 9, 1970

Delbert James Irwin died in Port Arthur, Ontario