Jan 8, 1892

Born in Arnprior, Ontario to John and Jessie (nee Fraser) Murray

May 21, 1907

Volunteered for service in the Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles

Ø  Number 847

Ø  Posted to No. 7 Company

Ø  Occupation given as Piano Maker

Nov 11, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59686 (temporary number 97)

Ø  Next of kin given as John Murray, father, 497 Barrie St., Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Fireman

o   Later noted as Fireman – Fire Fighter

Ø  Previous military experience given as 7 years in the 14^th Regiment Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles in Kingston

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.

Feb 6, 1915

Appointed to the provisional rank of Lance Corporal with pay

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

Jul 1, 1915

Confirmed in the rank of Lance Corporal

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Feb 25, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Appendicitis

Mar 3, 1916

Transferred to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance and admitted to the division rest station there and the diagnosis was changed to read Enteritis

Mar 12, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in La Clytte, Belgium

Apr 19, 1916

While on a work party repairing front line trenches, Private Murray was knocked unconscious by the explosion of a nearby artillery shell.

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance while still unconscious with a diagnosis that reads Shell Shock

Apr 22, 1916

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Lumbago and Shell Shock. 

Apr 24, 1916

Transferred to the division rest station at the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance at Mont des Cats, France where the diagnosis was changed to read Neurasthenia

Apr 29, 1916

Transferred to the No. 5 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

May 1, 1916

Transferred via the No. 23 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, France

May 3, 1916

Transferred to the No. 5 CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) 
In Boulogne

Jun 11, 1916

Declared to be unfit for combat duty and discharged to the Marlboro Base Details in Boulogne, France

Jun 18, 1916

Joined the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France

Jul 22, 1916

Invalided to England and transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) in Folkestone

Jul 25, 1916

Attached to the 39^th Reserve Battalion for 8 weeks of Physical Training at the Monks Horton Hospital

Feb 27, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant with pay while employed at the St. Leonard’s Hospital as a Physical Training Instructor

Mar 12, 1917

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot and attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot)

May 4, 1917

Taken on permanent strength of the St. Leonard’s Hospital

Jun 15, 1917

Taken On Strength the permanent staff of 3^rd Canadian Command Depot

Sep 3, 1917

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford and attached to the Garrison Gym Staff in Seaford

Sep 29, 1917

Ceased to be attached to the Garrison Gym Staff

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) and attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada as an Instructor

Nov 17, 1917

Transferred to the CAGS (Canadian Army Gymnastics Staff) with the rank of Sergeant and embarked the SS Saxonia in Liverpool

Nov 30, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario where he was attached to the Hart House for duty as a Physical Trainer

Sep 30, 1918

Married to Margaret Mary McKee in Kingston, Ontario

It is noted that his religion was changed to Roman Catholic prior to the marriage

Jan 27, 1919

Ceased to be attached to Hart House and proceeded to Military District No. 3 in Kingston for duty as a Remedial Instructor at the Queen’s Military Hospital

Mar 1, 1919

Promoted to the provisional rank of CSMI (Company Sergeant Major Instructor) with pay

May 15, 1919

Transferred to the CMS of OS&P (Canadian Military School of Orthopedic Surgery and Physiotherapy) and posted for duty as Remedial Instructor and attached to ADMS (Assistant Director Medical Services), Military District No. 3 in Kingston

Dec 10, 1919

Transferred to the permanent staff, Military District No. 3 in Kingston

Dec 27, 1919

Posted to the Sydenham Military Hospital for duty

Dec 30, 1919

Medical Board in Kingston notes

Ø  Suffers from headaches and dizzy spells as a result of a concussion suffered from shrapnel wounds to his head

Ø  He still has no memory of the days following his wound

Ø  The symptoms will probably last for at least 1 year

Ø  Board recommends he be discharged from military service

Dec 31, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge CSMI

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at No. 1 Plum St., Kingston, Ontario

James Gordon Murray served with the Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles, later renamed, Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment, in Kingston for many years following the end of the war.  He served 2 terms as Regimental Sergeant Major, the 2^nd term being 1944 to 1949.  He represented the regiment at the Coronation of King George VI in 1937.

Oct 23, 1963

James Gordon Murray died in Kingston and was buried in the St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kingston, Ontario