Aug 25, 1887

Born in Enniskillen, Ireland to Henry and Margaret Ann (nee Brown) Laird

Aug 24, 1888

Embarked the SS Circassian in Londonderry, Ireland with his parents and 4 siblings

Sep 3, 1888

Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec and the family proceeded to Campbellford, Ontario

Sep 16, 1907

Married to Polly (Pauline) Grimshaw in Guelph, Ontario.  His residence was noted as Campbellford, Ontario

Jan 8, 1916

Attested into the 155^th Battalion CEF in Marmora, Ontario

Ø  Number 636315

Ø  Next of kin given as Pauline Marion Laird, wife, Marmora, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Tinsmith

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

On attesting he stated he had 1 daughter, Winifred Grace Laird, age 4 years

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Aug 25, 1916

Admitted to the Barriefield Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Syphilis

Sep 7, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

Nov 16, 1916

Attached to the CAI&RD (Canadian Arms Inspection & Repair Depot) in Greenwich for duty

Dec 8, 1916

Transferred to the 154^th Battalion in Bramshott and remained attached to the Canadian Arms Inspection and Repair Depot

Jan 31, 1917

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion and remained attached to the Canadian Arms Inspection and Repair Depot

Feb 15, 1917

Admitted to the Royal Herbert Hospital in Woolwich with a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet Determined).  This was later changed to read VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis)

Feb 17, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 2, 1917

Admitted to the Royal Herbert Hospital in Woolwich for ongoing treatment for his infection

Mar 12, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 19, 1917

Admitted to the Royal Herbert Hospital in Woolwich for ongoing treatment for his infection

Mar 21, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 2, 1917

Admitted to the Royal Herbert Hospital in Woolwich for ongoing treatment for his infection

Apr 4, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 21, 1917

Ceased to be attached to the repair depot and reported to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Jun 15, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 16, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 21 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Jul 3, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

Aug 20, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Laird joined the 21^st Battalion resting in billets at Fosse 10, near Lens, France and was posted to “D” Company

Sep 12, 1917

Private Laird earned a Bronze Medal at the Falling Plate Canadian Corps Rifle competition that was held at Villers au Bois, France

Mar 7, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Mar 22, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Mar 31, 1918

While in the front line near Neuville Vitasse, France, Private Laird received a shrapnel wound that buried itself into his right hip.  He was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 56 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment

Apr 1, 1918

Transported via the No. 7 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 20 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Apr 5, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Colchester Military General Hospital

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

Apr 25, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

No surgery was performed to remove the piece of shrapnel and he carried it for the rest of his life

May 17, 1918

Discharged from hospital and attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training

Jun 18, 1918

Sentenced to 2 days Field Punishment No. 2 for being absent

Jul 17, 1918

Admitted to the 2^nd Eastern General Hospital in Brighton with a diagnosis that reads Venereal Disease Syphilis

Jul 19, 1918

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

Jul 20, 1918

Transferred to the Cherryhinton Military Hospital in Cambridge

Oct 8, 1918

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot and attached to the 3^rd Canadian Command Depot for physical training

Jan 18, 1919

Attached to the 1^st Canadian Command Depot

Jan 28, 1919

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Feb 8, 1919

Transferred to Military District No. 3 in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

Feb 22, 1919

Embarked the SS Belgic in Liverpool

Mar 1, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Mar 25, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 91063

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Marmora, Ontario

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

Following his discharge, John Laird served with the Hastings Prince Edward Regiment and acted as the RQMS (Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant)

Jul 18, 1950

John James Laird was accidentally killed in an industrial accident at the Deloro Smelting & Refining Co., Limited plant in Deloro, Ontario.  He was buried in the Little Lake Cemetery, Peterborough, Ontario