Dec 1, 1889

Born in Greenock, Scotland to Charles and Janet (nee Brodie) McDermid

Aug 6, 1904

Embarked the SS Corinthian in Glasgow, Scotland with his mother and 6 siblings

Aug 15, 1904

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Guelph, Ontario to join his father who had previously come to Canada

Aug 15, 1914

Shown on the payroll of the 45^th Victoria Regiment, Canadian Militia in Lindsay, Ontario

Nov 5, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59615 (temporary number 666)

Ø  Next of kin given as Charles McDermid, father, 55 Grove St., Guelph, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Core Maker

Ø  Previous military experience given as 2 years in the 16^th Field Battery, Canadian Field Artillery

Ø  Religion given as Baptist

Ø  Posted to “F” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

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

Apr 3, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

Apr 13, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Sep 15, 1916

During heavy fighting at the sugar factory at Courcelette, France, Private McDermid was buried by the explosion of a nearby artillery shell.  When dug out, he was suffering from shock and was evacuated to the No. 9 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid.

Sep 16, 1916

Transferred to the No. 35 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) and the diagnosis was changed to read Shell Shock

Sep 23, 1916

Discharged to duty from the casualty clearing station

Oct 10, 1916

After becoming giddy, he was admitted to the division rest camp with a diagnosis that reads Debility

Oct 14, 1916

Transferred to the No. 3 General Hospital in Le Treport, France with a diagnosis that reads Debility

Oct 18, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Lanfranc

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Mile End Military Hospital in London

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

Nov 7, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bromley where a heart murmur was detected

Nov 17, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Shoreham for light duty

Nov 21, 1916

Attached to the GDD (Garrison Duty Depot) for permanent base duty

Dec 2, 1916

Attached to Canadian Garrison Headquarters in Seaford

Jan 17, 1917

Transferred to the 4^th CTB (Canadian Training Battalion) in Shoreham and employed as a Bombing Instructor.

Feb 10, 1917

After becoming upset and extremely nervous at the sound of the bombs going off, he was removed and attached to the Canadian Garrison Headquarters in Seaford

Mar 31, 1917

Medical Board in Hastings notes

Ø  Man suffers from shell shock and debility

Ø  Has a heart murmur

Ø  Is nervous and gets weak when he exerts himself

Ø  Board classified him as B1, meaning he was fit for non-combat employment in labour, forestry and railway units in England or France

Apr 3, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot)

Apr 12, 1917

Transferred to the CFC (Canadian Forestry Corps) Depot in Sunningdale

Apr 27, 1917

Transferred to the 34^th Company Canadian Forestry Corps in France

Jul 16, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Nov 12, 1917

Sentenced to 3 days Field Punishment No. 2 for being in town of Dreux, France without a pass

Apr 5, 1918

Medical Board confirmed his classification of B1, meaning he was fit for non-combat employment in labour, forestry and railway units in England or France

Apr 16, 1918

Granted permission to marry

Jun 11, 1918

Granted leave to the United Kingdom

Jun 19, 1918

Married to Agnes “Nancy” Mearns Chalmers in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Jul 1, 1918

Rejoined the 34^th Company from leave

Dec 14, 1918

Proceeded to England and posted to the Canadian Forestry Corps Depot in Sunningdale

Feb 13, 1919

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

Mar 8, 1919

Embarked the SS Minnedosa in Liverpool with his wife

Mar 17, 1919

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and posted to the No. 3 District Depot Sub Depot

Mar 19, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Saint John, New Brunswick

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 80509

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at General Post Office, Kingston, Ontario

Jun 20, 1968

Alexander McDermid died in Guelph, Ontario and was buried in the Woodlawn Memorial Park, Guelph