RSM TF Jordan MC DCM

RSM TF Jordan MC, DCM

Below is a summary of RSM Jordan's service records as supplied by his daughter, Wilma. I want to thank her for allowing us to reproduce the photos she supplied as well as the photos I took in an interview with her at her home. I would also like to thank RSM Jordan's grandaughter, Barb and her husband David, for copying many of the documents for me.

Summary of Service Record


Apr 11, 1879	Born at Norwich England
Jun 8, 1897	Attested into the 3^rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade at Norwich England, No. 5220. His trade given as “Shoe Finisher”
Nov 7, 1904	As a corporal, his request to marry was denied as “No Vacancy”. According to the explanation he gave to his family, you had to be able to have accommodations as a married couple and he was living in barracks at the time.
Dec 7, 1904	Second request to marry was again denied as “No Vacancy”
Dec 26, 1904	Married to Alice Louisa Clarke in St Mathews Church, Hamlet of Thorpe, in the city of Norwich. His father’s profession was given as “Clogmaker.”
Jun 30, 1907	Completed a course of Instruction in Cooking at Aldershot.
Jun 7, 1909	Discharged from the Rifle Brigade at Borden Camp. He participated in the South Africa Campaign 1902. Medal entitlement – Queen’s South African Medal and clasps for CC, OFS, and 1902
Nov 12, 1914	Attested into 21^st Battalion CEF Ø No. 59530 (temporary number 140) Ø Next of Kin given as wife, Alice Jordan at Bloomfield ON Ø occupation given as farmer. Ø Previous military experience given as “The Rifle Brigade, 12 years” Ø Religion given as Church of England
May 6, 1915	Embarked the SS Metagama at Montreal
May 15, 1915	Arrived in England and proceeded to West Sandling Camp.
Jul 1, 1915	Confirmed rank of Sergt at West Sandling
Aug 16, 1915	Appointed Coy QMS at West Sandling Camp
Sep 14, 1915	Embarked for France at Folkestone
Jan 19, 1916	Promoted to WO 2^nd Class and CSM
May 20, 1916	Promoted to WO 1^st Class and RSM
May 28, 1916	Granted 9 days leave.
Feb 9, 1917 Awarded MC for distinguished service, London Gazette #29886

Aug 9, 1918	Wounded – gun-shot wound in right arm
Aug 12, 1918	Invalided & posted to EOR Depot
Aug 13, 1918	Admitted to Queen Mary Military Hospital, Whalley Lancs with a GSW right arm
Oct 17, 1918	Transferred to Ellerslie Auxiliary Hospital, Blackburn.
Nov 2, 1918	Transferred to Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital (PPCRCH), Cooden Camp, Bexhill
Nov 15, 1918	Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal London Gazette #31011
Nov 22, 1918	Posted to 6^th Reserve Battalion at Witley
Nov 22, 1918	Discharged from hospital as fit for duty
Dec 18, 1918	Posted to 21^st Battalion from 6^th Reserve Battalion
Jan 27, 1919	Had a stroke – (“This is to certify that No. 59530 RSM Jordan, TF, was seized with a very mild Paralytic Stroke on January 27^th, 1919. He was unable to speak and had lost the power of the whole of his right side. He recovered sufficiently to be out and around but not to carry on arduous duties.”) Signed by Capt Black, CAMC, MO, 21^st Canadian Battalion. – the above is quoted from letter signed by above dated February 23^rd, 1919 – returning from giving evidence in a Court Martial, he became paralyzed on the right side and dropped – not completely paralyzed, he was able to walk home – did not regain complete use of arm or leg for about 7 hours – was not evacuated
Apr 1, 1919	Medical exam at Witley – Hemiplegia slight (Jan 1919)
Apr 3, 1919	Proceeded to England from Le Havre
Apr 4, 1919	TOS CCC (Canadian Concentration Camp?) “P” Wing, Witley from 21^st Battalion
May 13, 1919	SOS to Canada
May 14, 1919	Embarked SS Caronia at Liverpool for Canada
May 24, 1919	TOS #3DD Kingston
May 31, 1919	Discharged from 21^st Battalion CEF - Discharged as “Medically unfit for general service” – SOS #3DD – Medical exam at Barriefield – some weakness right side
Dec 13, 1919	Attested at Kingston PWOR Ø No 59530 Ø Next of Kin given as wife at 32 Plum street Kingston Ø Trade given as blacksmith Ø Papers signed by LCol HE Pense Ø Posted to Casualty Coy and shown on command to 14^th Regiment as paid Sgt Maj
Jun 30, 1920	Discharged from No. 3 District Depot Ø Medically unfit for General Service Ø Medical Board Report o weakness in right arm and general weakness right side after any heavy work o man well nourished o scar right arm from bullet wound, some atrophy right shoulder o no atrophy right leg o heart and lungs normal o was wounded at Battle of Amiens in August 1918 and had weakness in right arm ever since o had slight stroke Jan 27, 1919 in Belgium, returning from giving evidence in a Court Martial o became paralyzed right side and dropped o not completely paralyzed, was able to walk home o did not regain complete use of arm or leg for about 7 hours o was not evacuated
Aug 21, 1932	Deceased and buried in the Belleville Cemetery, Belleville Ontario
Dec 27, 1932	Medals and Silver Cross sent to his widow, Mrs Alice Jordan, RR#7 Belleville Ont. – medals card stamped “Death attributed to military service.”

Something that doesn't show up in his service record is the fact that he was very active with the Cadet program after the war. He helped groom many a young soldier in the Belleville area.

Click on the photos below to enlarge


RSM Jordan and his wife, Alice, post war.	RSM Jordan's photo and medals in his daughter's home	RSM Jordan's daughter, Wilma, displaying his medals	Here Wilma is holding his walking stick

Above is a pipe that was given to RSM Jordan by a German POW	Wilma is holding the sword that was presented to him by the WOs and Sgts of the battalion with a close up of the inscription		Above is a post card sent home from the field. Note that personal messages were not permitted.

Above are 4 photos taken at RSM Jordan's funeral in Belleville ON. On the left is a photo of the casket as it lay in state in the Belleville Armouries, followed by a photo of the casket on the gun carriage for the procession to the cemetery. The 2 photos on the right are of the 21st Battalion Band led by Reg Hinchey as they followed the casket through downtown Belleville.