Aug 7, 1896

Born in Caledonia, Ontario to George and Margaret (nee Smith) Keefer

Oct 9, 1917

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at Hamilton, Ontario

Feb 25, 1918

Conscripted into the 1^st Depot Battalion, 2^nd COR (Central Ontario Regiment) under the MSA in Hamilton, Ontario

Ø  Number 3108178

Ø  Next of kin given as George Keefer, father, Caledonia, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Baker

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to the 25^th Regimental Draft

May 15, 1918

The 25^th Regimental Draft embarked the SS Ajana in Halifax, Nova Scotia

May 27, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Witley and was Taken On Strength of the 3^rd Reserve Battalion in Witley to continue training

Sep 12, 1918

Transferred to the 19^th Battalion

Sep 13, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 19^th Battalion

Sep 16, 1918

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

Sep 21, 1918

While still at the reinforcement camp, and before he could join the 19^th Battalion at the front, he was diverted to reinforce the 21^st Battalion

Sep 22, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Keefer joined the 21^st Battalion in the support line near Buissy, France and was posted to “B” Company

Nov 26, 1918

Admitted to the No. 1 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with a diagnosis that reads Gastritis

Nov 30, 1918

Transferred via the No. 38 AT (Ambulance Train)

There is no entry in the file to indicate which hospital he was transferred to.  He did however rejoin the 21^st Battalion when the men arrived in Havre, France

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

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

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario by train and Taken On Strength Military District No. 3 Casualty Company

Jun 5, 1919

Attached to Military District No. 2 in Toronto, Ontario

Jun 19, 1919

Transferred to Military District Depot No. 2 in Toronto, Ontario

Attached to the AD S&T (Assistant Director Supplies and Transport) to be employed as a Baker

Jul 9, 1919

Transferred to Military District No. 3 Casualty Company in Kingston, Ontario

Jul 23, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 277550

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Caledonia, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Caledonia, Ontario

Oct 29, 1920

Married to Lydia Gibson in Toronto, Ontario

Nov 22, 1976

George Alvin Keefer died while a patient in the Norfolk General Hospital, in Simcoe Ontario and was buried in the Caledonia Cemetery, Caledonia, Ontario