Sep 23, 1888

Born in Milton, Queen’s County, Nova Scotia to Frederick and Josephine (nee Fancy) Keans

Mar 20, 1916

Attested into the 1^st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment CEF in Annapolis, Nova Scotia

Ø  Number 283246

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Arthur Coombs, mother, Milton, Nova Scotia

o   When he initially volunteered, his next of kin was given as Mrs. Josephine Waterman

Ø  Previous occupation given as Lumberman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Baptist

Ø  Posted to the 4^th Regimental Draft

He lied about his age on first volunteering.  He gave his birth date as September 23, 1888, not his actual birth date of September 23, 1897

He had originally volunteered with the 219^th Battalion CEF, however he went AWL (Absent Without Leave).  The date he went absent is not recorded in the file

His attestation was filled out after the 219^th Battalion departed for England and post dated to show the date he first volunteered

Sep 1, 1916

He was returned to the battalion on this date under arrest and posted to the No. 6 Special Service Company.  There is no punishment recorded for his absence

Oct 12, 1916

The 219^th Battalion embarked for England but Private Keans was presumably serving punishment and did not proceed with the battalion.  To confuse the issue, his name is listed on the Embarkation Roll for the 219^th Battalion but it is clear he did not embark with the battalion.

Feb 10, 1917

Surgery performed to remove his Appendix at the Rockhead Military Hospital.  This was a Military Prison Hospital

Apr 29, 1917

Medical exam at the Halifax Military Hospital notes that he is suffering from pain caused by adhesion from his Appendix surgery and recommends he receive further convalescent hospital treatment

May 25, 1917

Admitted to the Pine Hill Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia with a diagnosis that reads Appendicitis

Sep 5, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 15, 1918

He embarked the SS Melita in Halifax, Nova Scotia with the 4^th Regimental Draft, 1^st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment

Apr 28, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and transferred to the 17^th Reserve Battalion.  The men were attached to the Segregation Camp at Frensham Pond to ensure there were no cases of Influenza

Jun 6, 1918

Released from the segregation camp and reported to the 17^th Reserve Battalion in Bramshott

Sep 11, 1918

Transferred to the 85^th Battalion

Sep 13, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 85^th Battalion

Sep 16, 1918

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

Sep 19, 1918

While still at the reinforcement camp, and before he could join the 85^th Battalion at the front, he was transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 20, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Keans joined the 21^st Battalion on the approach to the Canal Du Nord on the Arras – Cambrai Road and was posted to “D” Company.  

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Canadian Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Sieburg

Apr 3, 1919

Transferred to the Canadian Records List and posted to the 25^th Battalion in Auvelais, Belgium for the purpose of returning to Canada

Apr 8, 1919

Embarked the SS Prince George in Havre, France

On arrival in England, he was attached to “J” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

May 10, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

May 16, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Taken On Strength of Military District No. 6

May 25, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 218856

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Milford, Nova Scotia

Following his discharge, he married Elizabeth Stewart Lockie

The British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Willow River, British Columbia

Nov 4, 1976

Arthur Leolan Keans died of a heart attack while a patient of the Nanaimo Regional Hospital, Nanaimo, British Columbia.  His remains were cremated