Charles Walter LeClair



Feb 9, 1894

Born in Brockville, Ontario to Edward and Mary (nee Dion) LeClair

 

Jul 22, 1914

Shown on the payroll of the 41st Regiment with the rank of Private in the Regiment’s Band

 

Dec 30, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 1206

Ø  Next of kin given as Mary LeClair, mother, 99 Havelock St., Brockville, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Mechanic

Ø  Previous military experience given as 4 years in 41st Regiment, Brockville Rifles

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to “A” Company

Charles’ brother, William E. LeClair (59577) had joined the 21st Battalion a month earlier

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

 

Jan 28, 1915

Admitted to Kingston Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Inflamed Tonsils

 

Jan 30, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Mar 1, 1915

Posted to the Headquarters Company

 

Mar 19, 1915

Reported sick with a sore testicle.  Patient claims to have slipped on ice while marching and hit his groin the with the butt of his rifle 3 weeks earlier and has been sore since

 

Apr 15, 1915

Admitted to Kingston Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Epididymitis Orchitis

 

Apr 16, 1915

Medical Board in Kingston notes

Ø  Patient claims to have fallen on ice the previous month and his groin has been sore since

Ø  Left testicle is swollen and painful

Ø  Patient is unable to do any heavy work

Ø  Condition is expected to last 3 to 6 months

Ø  Patient requires rest

Ø  Board recommends he be discharged from active service

 

May 1, 1915

Discharged from hospital with sick leave

 

May 4, 1915

SOS (Struck Off Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Mar 15, 1916

Attested into the 156th Battalion in Brockville, Ontario

Ø  Number 639872

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Mary LeClair, mother, 99 Havelock St., Brockville, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Carriage Builder

Ø  Previous military experience given as 5 years in the 41st Regiment, Brockville Rifles

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

 

Oct 19, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Witley to continue training

 

Nov 1, 1916

Transferred to the 119th Battalion in Bramshott

 

Nov 13, 1916

Medical Board in Bramshott notes

Ø  Patient suffers from Myalgia in lower extremities

Ø  Also has some discomfort from left testicle from a previous injury

Ø  Board recommends 12 weeks of physical training

 

Jan 9, 1917

Transferred back to the 156th Battalion in Witley

 

Feb 6, 1917

Medical Board in Witley notes

Ø  Man suffers from Myalgia

Ø  Complains of pain in his back

Ø  No cause can be found for his pain

Ø  Board recommends patient be trained at a Command Depot

 

Feb 19, 1917

Attached to the 2nd Canadian Command Depot in Hastings

 

Mar 13, 1917

Transferred to the 161st Battalion in Witley

 

Jul 7, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal with pay while in charge of the battalion’s Bugle Band

 

Aug 15, 1917

Sentenced to 5 days Field Punishment #2 and reduced to the rank of Private for being absent

 

Feb 23, 1918

Transferred to the 4th Reserve Battalion in Witley

 

Mar 29, 1918

Transferred to the CMGD (Canadian Machine Gun Depot) in Seaford

 

Jun 21, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Machine Gun Pool

 

Jun 22, 1918

Arrived at the CMGCBD (Canadian Machine Gun Corps Base Depot) and TOS (Taken On Strength) the Canadian Machine Gun Reserve Pool

 

Jun 25, 1918

After leaving the base depot, Private LeClair joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast

 

Sep 5, 1918

Transferred to the 4th Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps at the front south of Vis-en-Artois, France

 

Jan 15, 1919

Admitted to the No. 12 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Tonsillitis

 

Jan 19, 1919

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance

 

Jan 29, 1919

Granted 14 days leave to England

 

Feb 17, 1919

Rejoined the battalion from leave

 

May 5, 1919

Proceeded to “F” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

 

Jun 6, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

 

 

Jun 13, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario

 

Jun 16, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 229856

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 99 Havelock St., Brockville, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 99 Havelock St., Brockville, Ontario

 

Oct 26, 1921

Married to Christine Marie Dempsey in Brockville, Ontario

 

Sep 13, 1962

Charles LeClair died as a result of a car accident when his car was hit by a bulldozer in Mallorytown, Ontario.  Interment was in the Old St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Brockville, Ontario

 

 


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