May 10, 1893

Born in O’Leary, Prince Edward Island to Edward J. and Mary Louise (nee O’Brien) Lidstone

The family is noted as immigrating to the USA in 1899 and in 1900 was living in Perth Amboy Ward 2, Middlesex, New Jersey, USA

Jun 22, 1915

Attested into the 55^th Battalion CEF in Sussex, New Brunswick

 Ø  Number 445064

Ø  Next of kin given as Edward J. Lidstone, father, O’Leary, Prince Edward Island

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Baptist

Ø  Assigned to “C” Company

 The battalion carried out training in Valcartier, Quebec after moving there from Sussex, New Brunswick

Aug 19, 1915

Sentenced to 24 hours detention for an unspecified offence

Oct 1, 1915

Sentenced to 48 hours detention for an unspecified offence

Oct 30, 1915

Embarked the SS Corsican in Montreal, Quebec

Nov 9, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the Bramshott camp

Apr 7, 1916

Transferred to the Brigade Signal Base of the 39^th Battalion at West Sandling to be trained as a Signaller

Sep 21, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 22, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 145 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 9, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Lidstone joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Fieffes, France as part of a draft of 80 reinforcements from the base depot

Oct 22, 1916

Proceeded on the bombing course at Le Touquet, France

Nov 1, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Calonne

Dec 26, 1916

While the battalion was in the front line trenches near Bully-les-Mines, France, they came under an enemy artillery barrage. Private Lidstone received shrapnel wounds to his right buttock and was evacuated to the nearby field ambulance for first aid

Dec 30, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 Canadian General Hospital in Dannes Camiers for further treatment

Jan 6, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Dunluce Castle

 
On arrival in England he was admitted to the Devonport Military Hospital

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

Jan 29, 1917

Transferred to the Western Hospital, Torquay

Mar 10, 1917

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

May 4, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bear Wood Park, Wokingham for a period of convalescence

May 17, 1917

Attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) at St Leonard’s hospital in Stonehaven, Scotland for physical therapy

Jul 5, 1917

Discharged from the convalescent hospital and posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Jun 6, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 7, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and TOS the 21^st Battalion

Jun 23, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast

Sep 22, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, he rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Brigade Support in the Buissy Switch Line between Arras and Cambrai at Canal du Nord

Oct 28, 1918

Private Lidstone suffered a severe cut to his index finger of his right hand which severed the flexor tendon.  He was evacuated to the No. 4 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 1 CCS.  Later that day he was transferred to the No. 30 CCS

Oct 31, 1918

Transported via the No. 22 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 56 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples

Nov 5, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen

 

On arrival in England he was admitted to the 1^st Southern General Hospital, Monyhull, Birmingham

 Posted to the EORD for pay purposes while in hospital

Jan 9, 1919

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Devon Park, Epsom

Feb 19, 1919

Posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford on being discharged from hospital

Mar 29, 1919

Transferred to the #7 Discharge Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl, Wales pending return to Canada

Apr 12, 1919

Embarked the SS Adriatic in Liverpool

Apr 20, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to St. John, New Brunswick

Apr 21, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in St. John, New Brunswick

 Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 264559

Ø  Intended residence on discharge O’Leary, Prince Edward Island

 Following the war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at O’Leary, Prince Edward Island

 In 1925 he married Annie E. Barwise in Haverhill, Essex, Massachusetts, USA

Jul 11, 1940

Enlisted in the Veterans Home Guard, CASF, in Sydney, Nova Scotia

 Ø  Number F-84

Mar 28, 1944

Discharged from the Veterans Home Guard in Halifax, Nova Scotia by reason of being unable to meet the required military physical standard

 Ø  Rank on discharge Corporal

Jan 19, 1952

Walter Lidstone died and was buried in the Springfield West Baptist Cemetery, Prince Edward Island