Aug 18, 1878

Born in Collingwood, Ontario to Louis and Philomene (nee Daudelin) LaFrance

Nov 11, 1914

Attested in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 1217

Ø  Next of kin given as his wife, Mrs. Edith (nee Chard) LaFrance of Trenton, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Painter

Ø  Previous military experience given as 79^th Battalion

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to “A” Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Apr 23, 1915

Fined $2.00 for drunkenness

Apr 26, 1915

Private LaFrance was discovered to be AWL (Absent Without Leave) and eventually was declared to be a deserter

Aug 26, 1915

Private LaFrance was taken into custody and placed in the Guard Room in Kingston, Ontario in the charge of the 59^th Battalion

Aug 27, 1915

While under arrest and in the charge of Lieutenant Fraser, embarked the SS Scandinavian in Montreal, Quebec with the 59^th Battalion’s 1^st Regimental Draft

Sep 5, 1915

Disembarked in England and proceeded to West Sandling where he was placed under guard with the 39^th Reserve Battalion

Sept 25, 1915

Taken on strength to the 39^th battalion, West Sandling Camp

Nov 15, 1915

Tried by District Courts Martial and charged with

1. desertion

2. losing by neglect his clothes and regimental necessities.

He entered a plea of Guilty on the 1^st charge and Not Guilty on the 2^nd charge.

He was found Guilty on the 1^st charge and sentenced to 91 days detention.  He also had to undergo stoppages of pay until he has made good the value of the following articles: 

1 great coat $8.07

1 service cap 70 cents

1 service jacket $2.91

1 pair puttees 53 cents.

Nov 30, 1915

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

It seems that he was released from detention on the condition of proceeding to the front

Dec 1, 1915

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 583 reinforcements from England and Taken On Strength the 21^st Battalion

Dec 13, 1915

After leaving the base depot, Private LaFrance joined the 21^st Battalion resting in La Clytte, Belgium

Feb 16, 1916

Regimental number changed to 60112

May 27, 1916

Reported sick at Dickebusch, complaining of swelling in legs and pain and stiffness in joints.

May 31, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads myalgia, back and legs

-transferred to No. 2 Division Rest Station

Jun 5, 1916

Discharged from the rest station and rejoined the 21^st Battalion

Jun 9, 1916

Admitted to the No. 2 division Rest Station – myalgia, back pain

Jun 15, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance – myalgia, back pain and right knee is swollen.

Jun 23, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and rejoined the 21^st Battalion

Jun 27, 1916

Admitted to No. 2 Division Rest Station

Jun 30, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance

Jul 5, 1916

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance for myalgia and then transferred to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance – myalgia, back pain

Jul 11, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and rejoined the 21^st Battalion  

Jul 18, 1916

Readmitted to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance

Jul 19, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St David

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the No. 4 Northern General Hospital in Lincoln

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Aug 8, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital – Bear Wood, Wokingham, England for myalgia, back pain and feels weak. No improvement. Condition is fair.

Aug 23, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital in Buxton

Jan 13, 1917

Discharged from Hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre

Jan 23, 1917

On command to the Canadian Command Depot for physical training at St. Leonard’s Hospital

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot while in hospital for pay purposes while in hospital

May 23, 1917

Medical Board at 3^rd CCD Hastings – diagnosed with extremely pronounced flat feet and myalgia.

Jul 3, 1917

Ceases to be attached on being discharged to Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot for Discharge to Canada

Jul 7, 1917

Transferred to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

Jul 18, 1917

Embarked the SS Justicia in Liverpool

Aug 1, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was T.O.S. No. 3 Special Service Company and posted to the Military Convalescent Home for light duty

Jul 10, 1918

Transferred to the #3 Battalion C.G.R. (Canadian Garrison Regiment) at Fort Henry, Kingston, Ontario

Jul 16, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badges Class “A” and “B”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Dundas St., Trenton, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Trent St., Trenton, Ontario

Dec 4, 1954

Michael LaFrance died at Kingston General Hospital in his 77^th year of Cancer of the Caecum.  He is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Trenton, Ontario