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May 15, 1886
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Born in Ottawa, Ontario to James Denis and
Catherine “Kate” (nee Fitzpatrick) McGrath
James Percy McGrath was a well known Lacrosse
player in the Ottawa area as a member of the Ottawa Stars. That team won the City Championship in 1910
with James as the leading scorer on the team
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Nov 5, 1917
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Medical examination conducted under the MSA
(Military Service Act of 1917) in Ottawa, Ontario. He was declared fit for service even though
parts of his thumb and middle finger were missing on his left hand. This was due to an industrial accident in
1908 when his hand was crushed in a Matching Machine
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Apr 12, 1918
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Conscripted into the 2nd Depot
Battalion EOR (Eastern Ontario Regiment) under the MSA, 1917, in Ottawa,
Ontario
Ø Number 3320939
Ø Next of kin given as Mr. James
McGrath, father, Ottawa, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as
Railroad Construction
o Later noted as Carpenter
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as Roman
Catholic
Ø Posted to the 8th
Draft of the 2nd Depot Battalion EOR
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May 15, 1918
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Embarked the HMT City of Marseilles in Montreal,
Quebec
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Jun 5, 1918
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Disembarked in England and proceeded to Seaford
where the entire draft was absorbed into the 6th Reserve Battalion
to continue training
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Sep 26, 1918
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Sep 27, 1918
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Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base
Depot) in Etaples, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion
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Sep 28, 1918
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After leaving the base depot, Private McGrath
joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast
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Oct 3, 1918
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While at the reinforcement camp, Private McGrath
was transferred to the 44th Battalion. It should be noted that he was 1 of 98 men
in the reinforcement camp transferred on this date from the 21st
to the 44th Battalion. All
of the men had been conscripted under the MSA
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Oct 6, 1918
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After leaving the reinforcement camp, he joined
the 44th Battalion resting in billets just west of Douai, France
as part of a draft of 98 reinforcements from the CC Rein C.
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Nov 6, 1918
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Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal
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Nov 11, 1918
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The 44th Battalion was resting in
billets in the city of Valenciennes, France when the Armistice took effect
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Dec 25, 1918
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The battalion occupied their time by taking route
marches around Belgium and conducting training exercises. In addition, educational classes were
organized to prepare the men for civilian jobs on their return to Canada. Christmas day was spent in billets in the
town of Forville, Belgium
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Apr 27, 1919
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The battalion proceeded to England, embarking in
Le Havre and disembarking in Southampton.
The battalion proceeded to Bramshott where he was posted to “E” Wing
pending his return to Canada
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May 28, 1919
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Embarked the Empress of Britain in Liverpool
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Jun 4, 1919
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Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec and proceeded
to Ottawa, Ontario
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Jun 6, 1919
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Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa
Ø Rank on discharge Lance
Corporal
Ø War Service Badge Class “A”
issued number 192352
Ø Proposed residence on
discharge 140 Arthur St., Ottawa, Ontario
Following his discharge, the British War Medal
and Victory Medals were sent to him at 499 Booth St., Ottawa, Ontario
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Aug 26, 1966
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James Percy McGrath died while a patient in the
National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa, Ontario and was buried in the
Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa.
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