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Jul 27, 1868
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Born in Saint John, New Brunswick to Robert and
Annie McGee
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Nov 7, 1914
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Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 59717 (temporary number 897)
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs. Mary Brown, sister, 9 Ferrier Ave.,
Toronto, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Painter
o Later noted as a Sign Writer
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Roman Catholic
Ø Posted to “F” Company
o This was later reorganized into “C” Company
He lied about his age, stating that he had been born July 27,
1876, not his actual birth date of July 27, 1868 as he was overage for
enlistment
The 21st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario
area through the winter of 1914-15.
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Jan 1, 1915
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To receive extra duty pay as a Cook
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Mar 18, 1915
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Fined $2.00 for being drunk
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Mar 30, 1915
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Employed as a Company Cook
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport, England and the
battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue
training
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Sep 2, 1915
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Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion
proceeded to St. Omer
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Nov 17, 1915
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Reduced to the rank of Private for Insolence to
an Officer
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Dec 25, 1915
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Placed under close arrest after he intentionally
tried to shoot 3 men in the Orderly Room
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Jan 29, 1916
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Tried by Field General Court Martial charged with
Ø Being drunk
Ø Shooting with intent to do
grievous bodily harm
o
This
wording had been changed from the original charge laid by Lieut Col WSP
Hughes.
Testimony was given that he was drunk and fired
his rifle at 3 men in the Orderly Room when he was refused more alcohol. The bullet passed through one man’s Great
Coat without wounding him.
He was found guilty of both charges and sentenced
to 1 year imprisonment with Hard Labour.
This sentence was reduced to 5 months imprisonment.
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Feb 6, 1916
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After it was disclosed that there were
improprieties in the way the 2nd charge was changed at the Court
Martial, the guilty verdict on the 2nd charge was quashed and the
sentence was reduced to 3 months Field Punishment No. 1 on the 1st
charge.
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Apr 6, 1916
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Admitted to the Northampton Field Ambulance with
bruised and broken ribs that were reported to have been accidental when he
claimed to have fallen. He was
transferred the same day to the No. 1 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)
An accident report filed by the 21st
Battalion’s Commanding Officer clearly stated that the accident did not
happen and there was no further explanation given. Private McGee later told doctors that his
broken ribs were the result of the explosion of an enemy artillery shell, but
there is no evidence to back up that story either.
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Apr 7, 1916
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Transferred via the No. 15 AT (Ambulance Train)
and admitted to the No. 22 General Hospital in Camiers, France
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Apr 28, 1916
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Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Camp in
Etaples to continue his recovery
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May 9, 1916
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Discharged to the base details in Etaples and
classified TB (Temporary Base) meaning he was temporarily unfit for front
line duty
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May 12, 1916
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Reported to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre
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Jun 30, 1916
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His true age was discovered and he was declared
to be over age for service
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Jul 2, 1916
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Classified as Permanent Base meaning he was
permanently unfit for front line duty
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Jul 3, 1916
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Invalided to England because he was over age
On arrival in England, he was transferred to the
CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) in Folkestone
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Jul 6, 1916
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Attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in
Prior Park, Bath pending return to Canada
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Jul 7, 1916
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Medical exam notes that he is over age and
suffers from Senile Debility
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Aug 1, 1916
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Embarked the SS Empress of Britain
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Aug 9, 1916
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Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec and proceeded
to Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Sep 10, 1916
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Discharged from the CEF in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ø Rank on discharge Private
Ø Entitled to War Service Badge
Class “A”
Ø Proposed residence on
discharge 9 Ferrier Ave., Toronto, Ontario
Following the end of the war, the 1914-15 Star,
British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 107 West 160th
Street, Los Angeles, California, USA
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