Mar 29, 1882

Born in Lakefield, Ontario to George and Sarah Jane (nee Darling) Murduff

Prior to enlisting, Reginald was employed as a crew member of the Steamboat Bessie Butler sailing Trent River system. 

He was later employed with the Lakefield Canoe Company as a Boat Builder

Jan 5, 1915

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59682 (temporary number 98)

Ø  Next of kin given as George Murduff, father, Lakefield, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Boat Builder

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “A” Company

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

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

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Oct 27, 1915

Shortly after moving into the front line trench on the Ypres Salient in Belgium near Voormezeele, Private Murduff received a through and through bullet wound to his right leg from an enemy sniper.  The bullet passed through the calf muscle just below the knee without touching any bone.  He was evacuated to a field ambulance near Dickebusch, Belgium for first aid

Oct 28, 1915

Transferred first to the No. 2 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) then to the No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station for further treatment

Oct 30, 1915

Transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 25 General Hospital in Etaples, France

Nov 15, 1915

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Duchess of Connaught Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Taplow

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion for pay purposes while in hospital

Jan 16, 1916

Transferred to the Hillingdon House Convalescent Hospital in Uxbridge

Jan 26, 1916

Discharged from hospital to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Mar 8, 1916

Medical Board in West Sandling recommends 10 weeks of Light Duty

Jun 4, 1916

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre)

Jul 12, 1916

Medical Board reports that he walks with a slight limp and his joint movement is good.  The board recommends 4 weeks of Physical Training in the Monks Horton Hospital

Jul 24, 1916

Attached to the 1^st CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Monks Horton

Sep 16, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and attached to the 11^th Reserve Battalion in Shorncliffe

Sep 27, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 28, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 99 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 14, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Murduff rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Divion, France

Nov 5, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Nov 15, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Dec 1, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Jul 5, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool on being Classified B1, meaning he was not fit for combat duty.  He remained attached to the 21^st Battalion for duty on the Water Detail behind the lines

Jul 8, 1918

Transferred back to the 21^st Battalion and posted to Transport Section on Water Detail

Nov 10, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Dec 10, 1918

Rejoined the battalion in Tondorf, Germany.  The Battalion was part of the Occupying Force following the Armistice

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 4^th Brigade across the Bonn Bridge on their way to Seigburg, Germany

Apr 2, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre

On arrival in England, he was posted to “P” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario by train

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 277502

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Lakefield, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Lakefield, Ontario

In the years following his discharge, he was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 77 in Lakefield, employed at the Liquor Store in Peterborough, an avid curler and played hockey. 

Apr 6, 1954

Reginald Darling Murduff died while a patient in the Peterborough Civic Hospital, and was buried in the Hillside Cemetery, Lakefield, Ontario

Reginald Darling Murduff is remembered on the Wall of Honour in
Peterborough, Ontario