Aug 3, 1870

Born in Hamilton, New Zealand, son of Colonel William Charles Lyon, founder of Cambridge, New Zealand

Nov 5, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59612 (temporary number 654)

Ø  Next of kin given as AH Bellaire, friend, Haliburton, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Lumberman

o   Later noted as Saeyer in Key Barrel Factory

Ø  Previous military experience given as the Bedfordshire Regiment for 7 years and 5 years in British Army Reserve

o   That service earned him the Queen’s South Africa Medal with 2 clasps and the King’s South Africa Medal with 2 clasps

Ø  Religion not given

Ø  Posted to “D” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “B” Company

He lied about his age, stating he had been born in 1877, not his actual birth year of 1870.  There are may places in his file where his surname is spelled Lyons, however, in virtually each place where he signed a document, he signed as Lyon.

The 21^st 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

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Mar 3, 1916

While the battalion was resting in Ridgewood, Belgium, Private Lyon’s work party came under an artillery barrage and he was buried by the explosion of a nearby shell.  When he was dug out it was discovered that he had received shrapnel wounds to his face, near his right eye and lips.  He was evacuated to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance where he was placed in the Division Rest Station in Locre, Belgium.

Mar 7, 1916

The wounds were slight in nature and healed quickly and he was released from care and rejoined the 21^st Battalion

Aug 26, 1916

Charles Lyon’s true age became known and he began showing signs of shell shock and he was sent back to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp in Havre, France and classified TB (Temporary Base) meaning he was not fit for combat.

Aug 31, 1916

Invalided to England when he was classified “C”, meaning he was only fit for non-combat service in England

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) and on arrival in England was attached to the ADMS (Assistant Director Medical Services) Training Depot and employed as a Batman

Sep 3, 1916

Medical Board in Folkestone notes

Ø  Feels the effects of his time in the front lines

Ø  Cannot keep up and is short of breath

Ø  Was removed from the front line due to his age

Oct 20, 1916

Attached to the Assistant Director Medical Services for duty with the Standing Medical Board in Shoreham

Nov 20, 1916

Attached to the ADMS (Assistant Director Medical Services) and posted to Brighton

Jan 9, 1917

Attached to the DADMS (Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services) and posted to Shoreham

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot and remained attached to the medical services

Apr 15, 1917

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot and attached to the Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services for duty in Seaford

May 1, 1917

Transferred to the CAMC (Canadian Army Medical Corps) Training Depot in Shorncliffe

Oct 31, 1917

Posted to the Sanitation Section in Seaford

Nov 6, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Army Medical Corps Depot in Shorncliffe

Nov 18, 1917

Posted to the SCH (Canadian Special Hospital) in Witley for duty

Nov 28, 1917

Posted to the No. 14 Canadian General Hospital in Eastbourne for duty

Feb 18, 1918

Medical Board in Eastbourne notes that he looks older than his 47 years and suffers from attacks of dizziness and irregular heart beat.  He also has a fine tremor of his lips

Transferred to the Canadian Army Medical Corps Depot in Shorncliffe

Feb 23, 1918

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

Feb 27, 1918

Embarked the SS Scandinavian in Liverpool

Mar 16, 1918

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

Apr 16, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Haliburton, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Montgomery House, Peterborough, Ontario

Oct 8, 1960

Charles Frederick Lyon died in Matfield, England