Sep 20, 1887

Born in Arnprior, Ontario to William and Mary Jane (nee Bartridge) McElroy

Nov 7, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59713 (temporary number 454)

Ø  Next of kin given as William McElroy, father, Arnprior, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Butcher

o   Later noted as Railroad Worker

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to “D” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “B” Company

Joseph McElroy gave his birth date as March 26, 1888, not his actual birth date of September 20, 1887

The 21^st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

Apr 27, 1915

Sentenced to 28 days detention for an unrecorded offence

May 3, 1915

The detention sentence was reduced to 7 days and he was released early

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

Aug 19, 1915

To be employed in the Cookhouse with extra duty pay as a Cook

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Dec 31, 1915

Ceased to draw working pay as a Cook and was later transferred to the Transport Section

Mar 5, 1916

While the battalion was resting in billets in Ridgewood, Belgium, Private McElroy was gathering wood for the ovens and stoves when he tripped on some wire and severely sprained his ankle.  He was treated first by the battalion’s Medical Officer before being transported to the nearby casualty clearing station

Mar 7, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France

Mar 10, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Dieppe

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the St. John & St. Elizabeth Hospital, Grove Rd., London

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

Mar 27, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bromley

Apr 4, 1916

Transferred to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital in Ramsgate.  While being transferred, Private McElroy disappeared from his escort and went AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Apr 5, 1916

Private McElroy reported to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital at 3.00 pm and after being admitted, forfeited 2 day’s pay for his absence

May 11, 1916

Sentenced to 2 days Field Punishment No. 2 and forfeited 2 day’s pay for being drunk and for leaving an escorted absence without permission

May 15, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre

May 17, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

May 25, 1916

Married to Florence Kate Jarrett in the St. Luke’s Church, Camberwell, London, England

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the battalion, it was moved to Seaford to train reinforcement for the front

May 3, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

May 4, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 344 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

May 31, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private McElroy rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line trench near Saint Léger, France

Dec 25, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

Jan 10, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Aug 13, 1918

While the battalion was in the front line trench east of Méharicourt, France, Private McElroy received a shrapnel wound to his left leg and was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid then transported to the No. 14 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Aug 15, 1918

Transferred via the No. 27 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 16 General Hospital in Le Treport, France

Aug 26, 1918

Transferred to the No. 3 Convalescent Depot

Aug 28, 1918

Transferred to the No. 13 Convalescent Depot in Trouville

Sep 16, 1918

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment No. 1 for:

Ø  Being absent from 9 pm to 9:40 pm September 12

Ø  Threatening violence

Ø  Being in possession of spirits

Sep 20, 1918

Discharged from the convalescent depot and joined the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France

Sep 25, 1918

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

Sep 26, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private McElroy rejoined the 21^st Battalion rear details west of Cagnicourt, France while the battalion was occupying the front line on the Drocourt Queant Line near the Buissy Switch

Dec 2, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Dec 23, 1918

The 21^st Battalion had proceeded to Germany while he was on leave and Private McElroy joined the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in Aubin St. Vaast, France when his leave was over

Jan 8, 1919

Private McElroy rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Neunkirchen, Germany

Feb 1, 1919

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads ICT (Interconnective Tissue) infection of his eyelids

Feb 8, 1919

Discharged from the field ambulance and rejoined the battalion

Mar 4, 1919

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Dermatitis

Mar 8, 1919

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance

Mar 21, 1919

Proceeded to England and transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) in Seaford

On arrival in Seaford, he was granted leave until April 4, 1919 to make arrangements for his wife to proceed to Canada with him

Apr 4, 1919

Rejoined the regimental depot in Seaford on completion of his leave

May 13, 1919

Attached to 1^st CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

Jun 21, 1919

Embarked the SS Minnedosa in Liverpool with his wife Florence

Jul 2, 1919

Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec

Jul 3, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Quebec City, Quebec

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 132694

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Ottawa, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 72 Metcalfe St., Ottawa, Ontario

May 4, 1954

Joseph McElroy passed away in Ottawa, Ontario as reported to Veterans Affairs Canada by his sister, Mrs. Alice Moloughney.  He was buried in the Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa.  At the time of this writing, his grave is unmarked, however, application has been made to have a grave marker put in place