Jan 30, 1894

Born at Belleville Ontario to Henry Freeman and Mary Elizabeth Ketcheson

Nov 9, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Number 59545 (temporary number 193)

Ø      Next of kin given as HF Ketcheson (father) of 231 Albert St, Belleville Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Student

Ø      Previous military experience given as the 49^th Regiment, Canadian Militia

Ø      Religion given as Wesleyan

Ø      Assigned to “B” Company

o       This was later reorganized into “A” Company 

He was later transferred to the Depot Company. 

The 21^st Battalion trained at Kingston until their departure for England

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe Kent

Aug 28, 1915

Transferred to “A” Company from the Depot Company

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St Seiriol at Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked at Boulogne France and proceeded to St Omer

Dec 26, 1915

Transferred to the 4^th Canadian Infantry Brigade Machine Gun Corps 

On arrival he was promoted to the rank of Corporal

Mar 1, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant

Jun 9, 1916

While on leave in England, he was admitted to the Rochester Row Military Hospital diagnosed with VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Jul 22, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre)

Jul 25, 1916

On Command to the CMGBD (Canadian Machine Gun Base Depot) at Folkestone for 4 weeks of physical training and conditioning

Aug 4, 1916

Admitted to the Cherryhinton Military Hospital at Cambridge with a diagnosis of VDG

Aug 24, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to CCAC at Shorncliffe

Aug 26, 1916

Transferred to the CMG Depot and declared fit for full duty

Sep 4, 1916

Admitted to the Rochester Row Military Hospital with a diagnosis the read NYD (Not Yet Determined) which was later changed to read VDG

Sep 29, 1916

Discharged from hospital

Nov 20, 1916

Appointed to a Commission with the rank of Lieutenant and posted to the General List of Officers 

Attached to the CMG Depot

Nov 30, 1916

Posted to the 38^th Battalion

Dec 1, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 38^th Battalion

Dec 5, 1916

Joined the 38^th Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in Billets in Bruay resting and reorganizing after some heavy fighting at the end of November

Feb 15, 1917

On Platoon Commander’s Course at the 4^th Divisional School

Feb 18, 1917

Rejoined the Battalion from the training course

Feb 22, 1917

During an evening raid at Vimy Ridge he received shrapnel wounds to his right arm and back.  He would have been initially treated at the Regimental Aid Post

Feb 22, 1917          Below is from the 38^th Battalion’s War Diary

Feb 23, 1917

Admitted to the No 13 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance).  He was transferred the same day to the No 18 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Feb 24, 1917

Transferred to No 24 General Hospital at Etaples

Feb 28, 1917

Placed on the dangerously ill list

Mar 9, 1917

Removed from the dangerously ill list

Mar 14, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Dieppe

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital

Mar 16, 1917

Admitted to the Royal Free Hospital, Gray’s Inn Road, London 

Posted to the General List of Officers while in hospital

Apr 17, 1917

Awarded the Military Cross per London Gazette # 30023

This was for his actions on the night of February 22^nd while in Command of the #2 Raiding Party

May 21, 1917

Posted to the EORD

Jun 18, 1917

Embarked the Hospital Ship Letitia at Liverpool

Jun 29, 1917

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Belleville Ontario 

He was admitted as an outpatient at the Belleville General Hospital, and lived at his home at 383 Bleeker St.

Jul 13, 1917

Medical Board at Kingston recommends that he will be unfit for service for at least 6 months

Nov 29, 1917

Married to Gladys Helen Mayo at Belleville Ontario

Apr 18, 1918

Posted to the Hospital Section of the Belleville Base Hospital

Jul 22, 1918

Medical Board at Kingston makes note of his wounds and declares that he requires further treatment for at least 3 months

Jul 30, 1918

Transferred to the Kingston General Hospital

Sep 7, 1918

Medical Board at Kingston recommends one month of treatment in hospital at the Kingston General Hospital

Oct 28, 1918

Discharged from hospital and posted to the Casualty Company at #3 District Depot, Kingston

Nov 7, 1918

Discharged from the CEF as being medically unfit. 

Rank on discharge Lieutenant

May 5, 1921

British War Medal and Victory Medals sent to him at 383 Bleeker Ave, Belleville Ontario

1935

Canadian Voter’s list shows him living at 381 Downie St, Peterborough Ontario and lists his occupation as Insurance

Mar 18, 1946

Entered the United States at Buffalo New York with his wife Gladys, for a 1 month visit to a friend, Mr HE Archibald in North Carolina.  For a Canadian contact, he listed his daughter, Mrs JB Lillico of Toronto Ontario

1949

Canadian Voter’s list shows him living at 635 Weller St, Peterborough Ontario and lists his occupation as Manager

1957

Canadian Voter’s list shows him living at 434 Manorhill Ave, Peterborough and lists his occupation as Retired

Aug 21, 1969

Died at Peterborough Ontario and was buried in the Belleville, Ontario Cemetery

  
Above is from The Communiqué (the 21^st Battalion Association post war newsletter)