Orval (Orville) McGee, MM

 

 

Apr 17, 1898

Born at Bobcaygeon Ontario to William James and Kate (nee Lambert) McGee 

His birth registration spells his given name as Orville, however in his WW1 documents it is spelled as Orval

 

Dec 2, 1915

Attested into the 109th Battalion at Bobcaygeon Ontario 

Ø      Number 725526

Ø      Next of kin given as William McGee (father) of Bobcaygeon Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist

Ø      Assigned to “C” Company 

He lied about his age, giving his birth year as 1897 

The Battalion trained at Lindsay Ontario

 

Jul 24, 1916

Embarked the RMS Olympic at Halifax Nova Scotia

 

 

Jul 31, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the Borden Camp

 

Aug 16, 1916

The Battalion moved to the Witley Camp

 

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Oct 6, 1916

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

 

Oct 20, 1916

Left the CBD to join the 21st Battalion

 

Oct 22, 1916

Joined the 21st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in billets in Bully Grenay being re-equipped and carrying out training.  He was assigned to “B” Company

 

Feb 28, 1917

Admitted to No 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) diagnosed with Tonsillitis.  This was later recorded as Trench Fever

 

Mar 6, 1917

Transferred to the No 5 CFA

 

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the Rest Station at No 6 CFA

 

Mar 15, 1917

Transferred to the No 18 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Mar 17, 1917

Transferred to the No 7 Canadian General Hospital at Etaples

 

Apr 1, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

 

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital 

It is unclear from the file whether he remained on board the hospital ship for 5 days, or if he was admitted to a hospital on arrival in England but not recorded.

 

Apr 6, 1917

Admitted to the No 3 Northern General Hospital at Sheffield

 

Jun 28, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bearwood Park, Wokingham

 

Jul 8, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom

 

Jul 16, 1917

Discharged from hospital and posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

 

Jan 31, 1918

Admitted to No 14 Canadian General Hospital at Eastbourne diagnosed with Myalgia

 

Feb 6, 1918

Discharged to duty

 

Apr 11, 1918

Posted to the 21st Battalion and arrived at No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples 

TOS the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 14, 1918

Left 2 CIBD

 

Apr 16, 1918

Arrived at the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) at Calonne Ricouart 

The date he rejoined the 21st Battalion is not noted in the file

 

Aug 26, 1918

Admitted to No 10 CFA with shrapnel wounds to his left leg and a machine gun bullet wound to his left buttock which fractured his pelvis.  He was transferred the same day to the No 33 CCS

 

Aug 29, 1918

Transferred via No 27 AT (Ambulance Train)

 

Aug 29, 1918

Transferred to the No 32 Stationary Hospital

 

Sep 2, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St Denis

 

Admitted to the Whipps Cross War Hospital at Colchester 

Posted to the EORD while in hospital

 

Nov 13, 1918

Transferred to the Leytonstone Military Convalescent Hospital at Epsom

 

Nov 14, 1918

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital at Epsom

 

Feb 11, 1919

Awarded the Military Medal per London Gazette #31173

 

 

Feb 28, 1919

Discharged from hospital and granted sick leave until March 12, 1919, at which time he is to report to the EORD

 

Mar 12, 1919

Detailed to the Depot Company at Seaford for duty

 

Mar 29, 1919

Posted to MD #2 at Rhyl pending return to Canada

 

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the SS Lapland at Liverpool

 

 

Apr 10, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Toronto

 

Apr 15, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Toronto Ontario 

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 289646

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Bobcaygeon Ontario

 

Nov 3, 1921

His British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him c/o the General Post Office, Bobcaygeon Ontario 


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