Aug 12, 1896

Born in Kingston, Ontario

Apr 6, 1914

Volunteered with the 14^th Regiment Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles

Ø  Number 1704

Ø  Posted to “H” Company

Jan 18, 1915

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59646 (temporary number 1277)

Ø  Next of kin given as Alfred Maxam, father, 170 Queen St., Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Plumber

o   Later noted as Steam Fitter

Ø  Previous military experience given as 2 years in the 14^th Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

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

Jul 28, 1915

Forfeited 1 day’s pay and restricted to half pay for 1 month for being absent

Aug 4, 1915

Forfeited d day’s pay for being absent and sentenced to 14 days Detention for Misconduct

Sep 4, 1915

Forfeited 2 days pay for being absent

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Nov 30, 1915

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Acute Appendicitis and was transferred the same day to the No. 2 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Dec 4, 1915

Transferred via the No. 6 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital in Rouen, France and Constipation was added to the diagnosis

Dec 10, 1915

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Bevan Military Hospital in Sandgate

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

Dec 16, 1915

Surgery was performed to remove his appendix

Feb 3, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Monks Horton

Feb 4, 1916

After being assessed, he was discharged to duty with the 39^th Reserve Battalion from hospital

Jun 6, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 7, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Jun 10, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Maxam rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Dickebusch, Belgium

Jun 15, 1916

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance with a gun shot wound to his left wrist received while at the front near Verbrande Molen, Belgium.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 2 Division Rest Station

Jun 20, 1916

Discharged to duty from the rest station and rejoined the battalion

Sep 15, 1916

During the capture of the sugar factory south of Courcelette, France, Private Maxam received a shrapnel wound to his right hand and was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station.  From there he was transferred to the No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne

Sep 17, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Jan Breydel

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the No. 3 Northern General Hospital in Sheffield

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

Oct 27, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Monks Horton

Nov 6, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre

Nov 16, 1916

Admitted to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Monks Horton for additional treatment to his right hand

Nov 27, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre

Dec 4, 1916

Attached to the CCD (Canadian Command Depot) and admitted to the St. Leonard’s Hospital for 6 weeks of physical training and rehabilitation

Feb 8, 1917

Discharged from St. Leonard’s Hospital and transferred to the CRTD (Canadian Railway Troops Depot) in Purfleet

On being transferred to the railway troops, his rank was changed to that of Sapper, the engineering equivalent to Private

Feb 22, 1917

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

Mar 8, 1917

Discharge to duty from hospital

Apr 27, 1917

Medical Board at Purfleet notes

Ø  Soldier has been wounded in the left forearm and the right hand in 1916

Ø  Both wounds have healed

Ø  Man’s grip is weak in both hands

Ø  There is no evidence of nerve damage

Ø  Board recommends he is fit for base duty only

Sep 27, 1917

Reported to be Absent Without Leave

Oct 19, 1917

Court of Inquiry declares Sapper Maxam to be a Deserter

Dec 9, 1917

Arrested and taken into custody by civil police in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, as a Deserter

Dec 11, 1917

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

Dec 26, 1917

Escaped custody and left the hospital and declared to be Absent Without Leave

Feb 8, 1918

Arrested by civilian police as a Deserter in Bristol while dressed in his uniform

Mar 19, 1918

Tried by General District Court Martial and charged with

1. Desertion from September 27, 1917 until arrested December 9, 1917
2. Desertion by leaving hospital while under arrest December 26, 1917 until arrested February 8, 1918
3. Losing by neglect clothing and regimental necessaries
4. On various occasions between June 3, 1917 and September 25, 1917 wearing the decoration of the Military Medal when not entitled to do so

After testimony was given, Sapper Maxam was found Not Guilty of Desertion in charges 1 & 2, but Guilty of Absent Without Leave on those 2 charges.  He was found Guilty of charges 3 & 4.

He was sentenced to 84 Days Detention

Mar 27, 1918

Proceeded to Wandsworth Detention Barracks to serve his sentence of 84 days

May 3, 1918

After suffering from 2 “fits” he was taken from prison and admitted to the Connaught Hospital in Aldershot for treatment for his Gonorrhea infection

May 29, 1918

Returned to prison from hospital

Jun 10, 1918

Released from detention and joined the Canadian Railway Troops Depot in Purfleet

Jul 9, 1918

Transferred to the 1^st Battalion Canadian Railway Troops

Jul 10, 1918

Arrived at the Canadian Infantry Base Depot in France and Taken On Strength the 1^st Battalion Canadian Railway Troops

Jul 13, 1918

After leaving the base depot, Sapper Maxam rejoined the 1^st Battalion Canadian Railway Troops in Boubers sur Canche, France

Nov 8, 1918

Sentenced to forfeit 11 day’s pay and to 28 days Field Punishment No. 1 for being absent from October 27, 1918 until November 7, 1918.

Nov 13, 1918

Admitted to the No. 19 Casualty Clearing Station with a diagnosis that reads ICT (Inter Connective Tissue) infection of his left knee

Nov 14, 1918

Discharged to duty from the casualty clearing station

Nov 15, 1918

Placed in the Field Punishment Compound

Nov 17, 1918

While in custody, Sapper Maxam escaped

Nov 24, 1918

Arrested and taken into custody

Dec 5, 1918

Rejoined the 1^st Battalion Canadian Railway Troops

Dec 31, 1918

Tried by Field General Court Martial on the charge of escaping custody.  He pled guilty and was sentenced to 42 days Field Punishment No. 1

Jan 5, 1919

Placed in the Field Punishment Compound in Cambrai, France

Feb 1, 1919

Joined the CGBD (Canadian General Base Depot) in Etaples

Feb 2, 1919

Posted to the Canadian Railway Troops Pool

Mar 7, 1919

Proceeded to England and transferred to the Canadian Railway Troops Depot in Knotty Ash pending return to Canada

Mar 25, 1919

Admitted to the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Kirkdale, Liverpool with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Apr 30, 1919

Forfeited total of 4 day’s pay for being absent from hospital from April 23 to April 29

May 1, 1919

Transferred to the Canadian Railway Troops Depot in Purfleet

May 26, 1919

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

Jun 13, 1919

Declared to be Absent Without Leave

Jun 14, 1919

Reported for duty and forfeited 4 day’s pay for his absence

Jun 28, 1919

Forfeited total of 4 day’s pay for overstaying a pass from June 24 to June 28

Jul 3, 1919

Embarked the Empress of Britain in Liverpool

Jul 11, 1919

Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

He had been Court Martialled for illegally wearing the Military Medal
but it appears the news was never related back to Kingston

Jul 12, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Sapper

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 213547

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 170 Queen St., Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 170 Queen St., Kingston, Ontario

Feb 28, 1964

Frank Maxam died at home, 107½ Fourth Ave., Ottawa, Ontario and was buried in the Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa