May 11, 1886

Born in Kingston, Ontario to Thomas and Mary (nee Sleeth) McCormick

Feb 17, 1916

Attested into the 154^th Battalion in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø      Number 633519

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. Mary McCormick, mother, 327 Montreal St., Kingston, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Piano Repair Man

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company

May 1, 1916

Appointed to the provisional rank of Lance Corporal

Jul 24, 1916

Attended the School of Infantry in Kingston for instruction

Aug 2, 1916

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Aug 3, 1916

Married to Lottie Burns in Ottawa, Ontario

Aug 9, 1916

Forfeited 8 days pay and reverted to the rank of Private for being absent from August 2 to August 9.  It is apparent that he went AWL in order to marry his sweetheart in Ottawa.

Oct 25, 1916

Embarked the HMS Mauretania in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott for additional training

Nov 17, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal

Jan 31, 1917

The 154^th Battalion was absorbed into the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling.

Apr 5, 1917

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request

Apr 13, 1917

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment #2.  The offence which prompted this punishment is not recorded in the file

Apr 17, 1917

Posted to the 21^st Battalion.  It would appear that the punishment was remitted in order to proceed to the front.

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 85 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Apr 21, 1917

Left the CBD to join his battalion along with 1,304 reinforcements destined for a number of different battalions at the front.

May 5, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in Division Reserve southeast of Vimy Ridge

Dec 14, 1917

While in the front line east of Vimy Ridge, Private McCormick was killed by an enemy artillery barrage.  He was buried in the Beehive Cemetery, Willerval, France

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. L.I. McCormick, 10 Heney St., Ottawa, Ontario

A second Memorial Cross was sent to his widowed mother, Mrs. Mary McCormick, 327 Montreal St., Kingston, Ontario

Aug 4, 1954

Mrs. Lottie McCormick, Joseph’s widow, died in Ottawa, Ontario