Nov 13, 1888

Born in Bolton, Lancashire, England

Nov 7, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59485 (temporary number 186)

Ø  Next of kin given as John Howarth, father, 9 Peabody St., Bolton, Lancashire, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Spindle Maker

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to “B” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “A” Company

James Howarth attested under a false name.  His real name was James McNulty.  This was corrected on October 30, 1918.  It appears that he was married and his wife was living in Hamilton, Ontario.  It would seem that he was escaping from his marriage, however, in 1918 when he acknowledged his real name, he gave his wife Florence McNulty as his next of kin.

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

Jan 28, 1915

Admitted to Kingston Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Indigestion

Jan 30, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 23, 1915

Fined $2.00 for being drunk

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 24, 1915

Forfeited 4 day’s pay for being absent from August 21, to August 24, 1915

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Jun 16, 1916

While in the front line trench near Verbrande Molen Belgium on the Ypres Salient, Private McNulty received minor shrapnel wounds to his head, back and legs.  He was evacuated to the No. 1 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, France for treatment

Jun 19, 1916

Transferred to the No. Convalescent Depot to continue his recovery.

Jun 20, 1916

Declared to be fit and discharged from hospital care and reported to the Base Depot in Boulogne, France

Jun 22, 1916

Forfeited 7 day’s pay for being absent the previous day and for stating a falsehood to the Military Police when arrested

Jul 2, 1916

Transferred to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

Aug 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private McNulty joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in the Halifax Camp near Brandhoek, Belgium

Sep 1, 1916

Attached to the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion for duty and appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal with pay

Sep 17, 1916

Ceased to be attached to the entrenching battalion and rejoined the 21^st Battalion involved in heavy fighting at Courcelette and reverted to the rank of Private. 

Nov 7, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Dec 1, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

Dec 15, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Apr 9, 1917

Promoted to the rank of Corporal to replace Cpl Beaudoin who had been promoted

Jul 13, 1917

Admitted to the No. 22 General Hospital in Le Treport, France with contusions to his right shoulder

Jul 19, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot to continue his recovery

Jul 24, 1917

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Aug 12, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private McNulty joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin

Aug 20, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion he rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Division Reserve in Fosse 10

Aug 28, 1917

Proceeded on course

Sep 8, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from course

Oct 27, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Nov 9, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Apr 4, 1918

Admitted to the No. 90 Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), a fever without a known cause, often referred to as Trench Fever

Apr 6, 1918

Transferred to the No. 3 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) before being transferred to the No. 6 Stationary Hospital

Apr 7, 1918

Transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 18 USA General Hospital in Camiers, France

Apr 12, 1918

Discharged to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot to continue his recovery

Apr 25, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool at the CGBD (Canadian General Base Depot) in Etaples

May 14, 1918

Admitted to the No. 10 Convalescent Depot at the No. 5 Rest Camp with a diagnosis that reads Debility

May 24, 1918

Discharged from the rest camp and reported to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) and classified TB (Temporary Base) meaning he was temporarily unfit for general service

Jun 4, 1918

Transferred to the CFC (Canadian Forestry Corps) No. 24 Company

Aug 22, 1918

Transferred to the No. 14 Company Canadian Forestry Corps

Sep 9, 1918

Granted leave to England

Sep 30, 1918

Rejoined No. 14 Company CFC from leave

Oct 30, 1918

Gave a sworn statement stating that his true name was James McNulty, not James Howarth, and all of his documents were to be changed to reflect his real name

Jan 15, 1919

Transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corps Depot in Sunningdale, England pending return to Canada

Feb 21, 1919

Medical Board in Sunningdale notes

Ø  Birth date noted as March 13, 1884, not November 13, 1888 given on attesting

Ø  Next of kin given as Florence McNulty, wife, living in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Ø  Man suffers from VDH (Valvular Disease of the Heart)

Ø  Complains of shortness of breath, heart palpitations at night and chest pains

Ø  Frequently has choking sensations and dizziness

Ø  Board recommends bed rest

Apr 11, 1919

Attached to the 2^nd CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in London pending discharge in the United Kingdom

Apr 12, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in London, England

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 3 Blundell St., Bolton, England

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 3 Blundell St., Bolton, Lancashire, England

Dec 8, 1963

James McNulty was reported to Veterans Affairs Canada as having died in England on this date.  Veterans Affairs Canada was notified a second time, that his death occurred September 2, 1972.  I was unable to confirm either date as being correct.