Harold "Alfred" Edwin Leal



Aug 2, 1893

Born in Tweed, Ontario William Edwin and Mary Jane (nee Holly) Leal

 

Oct 24, 1914

Shown on the payroll of the 57th Regiment, Peterborough Rangers

 

Nov 4, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 59576 (temporary number 541)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. WE Leal, mother, 247 Aylmer St., Peterborough, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Painter

o   Later noted as Moulder

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “E” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

The 21st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Jul 28, 1915

Posted to “A” Company

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Nov 4, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

 

Jan 11, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

 

Jan 24, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

 

May 8, 1917

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance before being transferred to the No. 2 Australian General Hospital in Boulogne, France

 

May 16, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Andrew

 

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Red Cross Hospital in Torquay

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

 

Jun 21, 1917

Transferred to the Monks Horton Canadian Convalescent Hospital where the diagnosis was changed to read Trench Fever

On admission he was noted as suffering from pain in hips, knees and shins.  Also suffers from headaches in the mornings and is almost deaf in right ear.  Hearing exam shows that he is suffering from Otitis Media, an inflammation of the middle ear

 

Jul 11, 1917

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Mar 16, 1918

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Mar 17, 1918

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Mar 20, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France

 

Apr 3, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Harold Leal rejoined the 21st Battalion in the support trenches south-east of Agny, France

 

Nov 19, 1918

Admitted to the No. 14 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Influenza and was transported to the No. 4 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) then transferred to the No. 57 Casualty Clearing Station

 

Nov 21, 1918

Transferred via the No. 21 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 4 General Hospital in Camiers, France

 

Nov 24, 1918

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples

 

Nov 28, 1918

After being discharged from the convalescent depot, Harold Leal joined the No. 2 Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples and was posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

 

Dec 8, 1918

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

 

Jan 15, 1919

Granted 14 days leave

 

Feb 7, 1919

Rejoined the reinforcement camp from leave

 

Feb 22, 1919

Granted permission to marry.  This was granted after the wedding, as he was married in Scotland while on leave

 

Mar 10, 1919

Next of kin changed to read Mrs. Mary L. Leal, wife, 16 Coursington Road, Motherwell, Scotland

 

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre

 

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

 

Jun 6, 1919

Transferred to “H” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

 

Jul 2, 1919

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

 

Aug 3, 1919

Embarked the SS Metagama in Liverpool with his wife Mary

 

 

Aug 12, 1919

Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec

 

Aug 14, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Quebec City, Quebec

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 321349

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 247 Aylmer St., Peterborough, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 247 Aylmer St., Peterborough, Ontario

 

Sep 18, 1920

Entered the USA at Cape Vincent, New York with his wife Mary, with the intention of taking up residence in Oswego, New York

By 1934 he had returned to Canada and was living in Walkerville, Ontario, now part of Windsor and was employed by General Motors in Windsor.

 

Harold Leal in honoured on the Wall of Honour in Peterborough, Ontario
with his brother Frank

 

 

 


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