Jun 5, 1898

Born in Eldon Township, Victoria County, Ontario to John and Janet “Jessie” (nee Snider) McCuaig

Mar 3, 1916

Attested into the 109^th Battalion CEF in Woodville, Ontario

Ø  Number 724041

Ø  Next of kin given as John McCuaig, father, RMD (Rural Mail Delivery) No. 1 Lorneville, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to “C” Company

On attesting, he had not reached the age of 18 and the minimum age for being sent overseas was 19 at the time.  Regardless of this, he was accepted.

In the spring of 1916, the 109^th Battalion moved to Camp Borden near Barrie, Ontario for advanced training

In early July 1916, the battalion moved to the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

Jul 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp, near Longmoor, Hampshire

Aug 16, 1916

The battalion moved to Bramshott to continue training

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 6, 1916

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

Oct 7, 1916

Admitted to the isolation ward of the No. 2 General Hospital in Le Treport, France with a diagnosis that reads Mumps

Oct 29, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 Convalescent Depot in Havre

Nov 7, 1916

Rejoined the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

Nov 13, 1916

After leaving the base depot he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

Dec 12, 1916

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private McCuaig finally joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line west of Lens, France and was posted to “D” Company

Apr 9, 1917

During the attack on Vimy Ridge, France, Private McCuaig was wounded in his hip by shrapnel and evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid

Apr 14, 1917

Transferred to the No. 2 Australian General Hospital in Wimereux, France

Apr 20, 1917

Transferred to the No1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne

Apr 21, 1917

Transferred to the No. 3 Large Rest Camp in Boulogne

Apr 28, 1917

Joined the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp in Havre

May 14, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private McCuaig rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Aux Rietz, France

Not long after he joined the battalion, his father John McCuaig made application to have him discharged as a minor.  When Alexander McCuaig attested he was under age, however by the time his father made the application, he had reached the age of 19, and the application was denied

Sep 15, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Sep 27, 1917

Rejoined the battalion in billets in Villers au Bois, France from leave

Nov 3, 1917

Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance then transferred the same day to the No. 3 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with a diagnosis that reads Infected left hand

Nov 4, 1917

Transferred via the No. 18 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 56 General Hospital in Etaples

Nov 13, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples

Nov 23, 1917

Joined the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Dec 1, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in Calonne Ricouart, France

Dec 11, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private McCuaig rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in the Cellars Camp near Neuville St. Vaast, France

Aug 8, 1918

During the liberation of the town of Marcelcave, France, Private McCuaig received a through and through shrapnel wound to his right arm and was evacuated to the No. 1 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the Australian Casualty Clearing Station

Aug 9, 1918

Transferred to the No. 22 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Aug 11, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Cambria

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Fort Pitt Military Hospital in Chatham

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Aug 13, 1918

Transferred to the No. 16 Canadian General Hospital in Orpington

Oct 4, 1918

Attached to the No. 3 CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training and exercise

Nov 27, 1918

Transferred to the No. 1 Canadian Command Depot

Jan 9, 1919

Attached to Military District No. 3 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

Feb 8, 1919

Embarked the SS Princess Juliana in Liverpool

Feb 17, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 3

Mar 7, 1919

Admitted to the Sydenham Military Hospital in Kingston with a diagnosis that reads suspected VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis).  This was later changed to read Naso Pharyngitis when the Syphilis test was negative

Mar 19, 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 22, 1919

Admitted to the Queen’s University Military Hospital in Kingston with a diagnosis that reads Naso Pharyngitis. 

Mar 25, 1919

Septum Surgery was performed to remove nasal spurs

Apr 1, 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital and posted to the Casualty Company in Kingston

Apr 2, 1919

Admitted to the Ongwanada Military Hospital in Kingston with a diagnosis that reads Scabies

Apr 21, 1919

Transferred to the Queen’s University Military Hospital in Kingston

Apr 30, 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital and posted to the Casualty Company in Kingston

May 3, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 279167

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Lorneville, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Lorneville, Ontario

Sep 18, 1930

While employed as an electrician in the Wright-Hargreaves Gold mine in Temiskaming, Ontario, Alexander McCuaig was accidentally electrocuted when he came into contact with live wires.  He was later buried in the Kirkfield Ontario cemetery