Jun 11, 1899

Born in Peterborough, Ontario to John and Alice (nee White) McBride

Oct 19, 1914

Shown on the payroll of the 46^th Durham Regiment in Millbrook, Ontario

Nov 6, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59696 (temporary number 788)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. John McBride, mother, Millbrook, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Agent

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “G” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “D” Company

His brother Roy McBride attested into the battalion the same day.  Gus lied about his age, stating he was born June 18, 1896 instead of his actual birth date of June 11, 1899.  He was only 15 years old!

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

Nov 1, 1915

Treated at the dressing station in La Clytte Belgium and released for Diarrhoea

Jan 25, 1916

Attached to the 2^nd Division Headquarters Sub Staff to be employed as a Groom

Apr 1, 1916

Ceased to be attached to the division headquarters on being admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a chronic infection of his left knee.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 1 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Apr 2, 1916

Transferred via the No. 24 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 18 General Hospital in Camiers, France with a diagnosis that reads ICT (Inter Connective Tissue) infection in his left leg

Apr 6, 1916

Transferred to the No. 6 CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) in Etaples

Apr 11, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Apr 20, 1916

Returned to duty with 2^nd Division

Jun 2, 1916

Ceased to be attached to the division headquarters and rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line in Belgium

Jul 1, 1916

Transferred to the 1^st Canadian Infantry Brigade Headquarters

Sep 21, 1916

Admitted to the No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Shell Shock.  He was transferred to the No. 10 Canadian Field Ambulance then on to the No. 44 Casualty Clearing Station

Sep 22, 1916

Transferred to the No. 35 Casualty Clearing Station

Oct 10, 1916

Discharged from the casualty clearing station and rejoined the 1^st Brigade Headquarters

Dec 14, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

Dec 25, 1916

Rejoined the 1^st Brigade from leave

May 3, 1917

Attached to the 2^nd Division Headquarters for duty

Jul 17, 1917

Transferred to the 2^nd Division Headquarters Sub Staff to be employed as MMP (Mounted Military Police)

Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal without pay while employed with the Military Police

Aug 2, 1917

Transferred to the CMPC (Canadian Military Police Corps) and remained attached to the 2^nd Division Headquarters

Nov 1, 1917

Ceased to be attached to the 2^nd Division Headquarters

Mar 24, 1918

Proceeded to the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France to undergo infantry training

Apr 13, 1918

Attached to the 2^nd Battalion CMGC (Canadian Machine Gun Corps) for duty

Apr 23, 1918

Reverted to the permanent rank of Private on being transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 25, 1918

Taken On Strength the 21^st Battalion  

Apr 30, 1918

Transferred to the 2^nd Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps for permanent duty without having rejoined the 21^st Battalion

Jun 27, 1918

Evacuated to the No. 43 Casualty Clearing Station with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Jun 29, 1918

Transferred via the No. 32 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 12 General Hospital in Rouen, France

Jul 3, 1918

Transferred to the No. 2 Convalescent Depot to continue his recovery in Rouen

Jul 9, 1918

Transferred to the No. 11 Convalescent Depot to continue his recovery in Buchy, France

Aug 30, 1918

Discharged from the convalescent depot and joined the Base Depot in Rouen

Sep 11, 1918

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

Sep 12, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp Private McBride rejoined the 2^nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps

Dec 2, 1918

Granted 14 days leave to the United Kingdom

Dec 30, 1918

Proceeded to England and transferred to the Canadian Machine Gun Corps Depot in Seaford

Jan 2, 1919

Attached to the 3^rd Canadian Command Depot for physical training at the St. Leonard’s Hospital

It would appear that some medical reports are missing from the file as there is no mention of an illness or injury

Jan 14, 1919

Discharged from St. Leonard’s Hospital and rejoined the Machine Gun Corps Depot in Seaford

Jan 22, 1919

Transferred to Military District No. 2 Wing in Rhyl pending return to Canada

Feb 10, 1919

Embarked the SS Royal George in Liverpool

Feb 20, 1919

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

Feb 25, 1919

Granted leave until March 10, 1919

Mar 14, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Class “A” issued number 90595

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Millbrook, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 131 Huron St., Oshawa, Ontario

Jun 11, 1919

Married to May Bryce in Millbrook, Ontario by Captain Clarence R. Spencer of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade

Aug 19, 1942

James’ son Clarence McBride was killed in action while serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry during the failed raid on Dieppe, France and was buried in the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery

In April of 1943, James’ wife May, was selected to represent Toronto, Ontario mothers during the Victory Loan campaign in Military District No. 2 in Toronto