1896

Born in Rome Italy

Nov 19, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59636 (temporary number 1061)

Ø  Next of kin given as Lucia Marinecia, wife, Rome, Italy

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

o   Later noted as Blacksmith and Barber

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the Depot Company

o   Later posted to “D” Company

It is apparent that he could not read or write as his documents are signed with an X and noted as “his mark”.  In addition, there are many different spellings for his surname in the file, most likely because of language and writing ability.  Some of the spellings mentioned are Marencia, Manaro, Marano, Mancria, Mancoe, Macria and even once as Andrews.

I have chosen to use the Marinecia spelling as that is what appears on both his medals and the death registration card held by Veterans Affairs Canada

On attesting he stated he did not know his actual birth date, only giving the year 1896.  His birth year was later noted as 1894.

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

Aug 1, 1915

Admitted to the St. Martin’s Plain Hospital with a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet Determined).  This was later changed to read Syphilis

Aug 11, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Nov 11, 1915

Private Marinecia was shot by a sniper while attempting to cross a gap in the front line trench near Voormezeele, Belgium.  The bullet entered his right buttock and exited his lower abdomen, exposing his intestines.  He was immediately given first aid by the Medical Officer before being transported to the nearby field ambulance.  He was then transported the same day to the No. 8 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) in Bailleul, France where emergency surgery was performed.

From the 21^st Battalion’s history, Ordinary Heroes, by Steve Nichol, page 50

Dec 2, 1915

Transferred via the No. 9 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 11 St. John’s Ambulance Brigade Hospital in Etaples, France where additional surgery was performed to repair abdominal damage and remove the right testicle that had been damaged by the bullet

Dec 17, 1915

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Dieppe

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion for pay purposes while in hospital

Jan 6, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Monks Horton

Jan 9, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Feb 15, 1916

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

Apr 13, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bear Wood, Wokingham

May 10, 1916

Discharged to the care of the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre for duty

May 12, 1916

Attached to the 32^nd Reserve Battalion for light duties

Jun 5, 1916

Forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent

Jun 10, 1916

Ceased to be attached and rejoined the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre

Jun 19, 1916

Transferred to the Administration Staff of the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Shorncliffe

Jul 4, 1916

Admitted to the Shorncliffe Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis) and Bubo (enlarged lymph nodes in the groin).

Transferred to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre for pay purposes while in hospital

Aug 1, 1916

Discharged from hospital and transferred back to the Administration Staff of the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Shorncliffe while receiving out patient treatment

Aug 14, 1916

Admitted to the Shorncliffe Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Aug 28, 1916

The diagnosis was changed to read Venereal Disease Syphilis

Sep 5, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Sep 26, 1916

Sentenced to 5 days Field Punishment No. 2 for striking a fellow soldier on September 17, 1916

Nov 17, 1916

Reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Shoreham

Dec 20, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre Administration Staff

Dec 23, 1916

Reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Shoreham

Dec 29, 1916

Attached to the CGDD (Canadian Garrison Duty Depot) for light duties

Jan 27, 1917

Attached to the 18^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Mar 10, 1917

The 18^th Reserve Battalion moved Dibgate

Apr 24, 1917

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford

Jun 25, 1917

Medical Board in Seaford notes

Ø  Sniper’s bullet entered his right buttock and exited his lower abdomen causing a large gaping wound exposing his intestines

Ø  His right testicle had to be removed due to bullet damage

Ø  He suffers abdominal pain and vomiting

Ø  His disability is determined to be 75% and permanent

Ø  Board recommends he be returned to Canada for discharge from service

Jul 6, 1917

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

Jul 18, 1917

Embarked the SS Justicia in Liverpool

Aug 1, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Quebec City, Quebec

Aug 3, 1917

Medical Board in Quebec City notes

Ø  Man was shot by sniper in Belgium the exit wound exposed his intestines

Ø  The surgical scars are healed

Ø  Man complains of abdominal pain and nausea

Ø  He cannot do any heavy lifting due to weakness in his abdomen

Ø  Disability is 50% for at least 6 months

Ø  Board recommends he be admitted to a convalescent home for observation

He proceeded to Kingston, Ontario and was Taken On Strength the No. 3 Special Service Company for pay purposes on being admitted to the Kingston Military Convalescent Home

Oct 1, 1917

Forfeited 2 day’s pay for being absent

Nov 27, 1917

Sentenced to 7 days CB (Confined to Barracks) and forfeited 2 day’s pay for being absent

Dec 18, 1917

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “B”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 255 Rideau St., Kingston, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 108 Montreal St., Kingston, Ontario

Following the end of the war, Tony Marinecia operated a barbershop in Hamilton, Ontario before moving to Dunsford

Aug 8, 1960

Andrew Marinecia died and was buried in the Dunsford Cemetery, Dunsford, Ontario.  Note the spelling of his name