Mar 11, 1893

Born in Ennismore, Ontario to Michael and Elizabeth “Eliza” (nee Perdue) Murray

Nov 5, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59687 (temporary number 665)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Eliza Murray, mother, Ennismore, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Tire Maker

o   Later noted as Tire Finisher

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

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

Dec 12, 1914

Admitted to Kingston Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Gonorrhea. 

Dec 21, 1914

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jan 18, 1915

Admitted to Kingston Hospital for additional treatment for Gonorrhea.  This was later changed to read Syphilis

Jan 25, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Feb 28, 1915

Sentenced to 15 days Detention for an unrecorded offence

Apr 5, 1915

Sentenced to 5 days Detention for an unrecorded offence

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 6, 1915

Declared to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Jul 12, 1915

Reported for duty and sentenced to 10 days Detention and forfeited 5 days pay for his absence

Jul 25, 1915

Reported to be Absent Without Leave

Jul 30, 1915

Sentenced to 14 days Detention and restricted to half pay for 1 month for his absence

Aug 15, 1915

Reported to be Absent Without Leave

Aug 24, 1915

Sentenced to 28 days CB (Confined to Barracks), forfeited 10 days pay and restricted to half pay for 3 months for being absent from August 15 to August 24, 1915 and for being in possession of an improper pass

Sep 6, 1915

Reported to be Absent Without Leave

Sep 9, 1915

Posted to the Depot Company and forfeits 4 days pay for his absence

Sep 14, 1915

Posted to “C” Company and embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Dec 20, 1915

Suffered chest pains while on a work party and placed on light duties with the battalion

Dec 27, 1915

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) in La Clytte, Belgium with a diagnosis that reads Precordial Pain (chest pain)

Dec 29, 1915

Transferred to the division rest station at Godewaersvelde, France

Jan 5, 1916

Transferred to the No. 2 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) in Bailleul

Jan 7, 1916

Transferred via the No. 22 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 18 General Hospital in Etaples and the diagnosis was changed to read VDH (Valvular Disease of the Heart)

Jan 12, 1916

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples and the diagnosis was changed to read DAH (Disordered Activity of the Heart)

Jan 26, 1916

Invalided to England aboard Hospital Ship Newhaven

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Military Hospital in Shorncliffe

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

Feb 1, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Monks Horton and Mitral Regurgitation was added to the diagnosis

Feb 2, 1916

Transferred to the Bear Wood Convalescent Hospital in Wokingham for light exercise and rest

Feb 15, 1916

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Apr 19, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 21, 1916

Attached to the CASC TD (Canadian Army Service Corps Training Depot) in Shorncliffe for duty

May 30, 1916

Reported to be Absent Without Leave

Jun 3, 1916

Sentenced to 7 days Field Punishment No. 2 and forfeited 2 days pay for his absence

Oct 14, 1916

Declared to be AWL (Absent Without Leave) when he was not present for roll call

Nov 8, 1916

Arrested by Canadian Military Police while walking along the Westminster Bridge Road in London and placed in custody to await trial

Nov 23, 1916

Tried by District Court Martial held in the Risborough Barracks, Shorncliffe

Ø  Charged with “When on active service, Deserting His Majesty’s Service

Ø  Private Murray pled Not Guilty

Testimony as given that he was declared to be absent October 14, 1916 and that he was arrested by the Military Police in London November 8, 1916 while in uniform. 

In his defence, Private Murray testified that the fatigue duty he was assigned to perform was making him feel unwell and caused dizzy and fainting spells.  He stated that he just wanted to get away from it all so he could feel better.

After deliberation, he was found Not Guilty of Desertion, but that he was Guilty of Absent Without Leave and sentenced to 56 days Detention.

Feb 20, 1917

Transferred to the CASTD (Canadian Army Service Corps Training Depot) in Shorncliffe

Mar 22, 1917

Admitted to Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Tonsilitis

Apr 6, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

May 1, 1917

Admitted to convalescent hospital in Etchinghill, Lyminge with a diagnosis that reads VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis)

On admission, it was recorded that the Syphilis infection was incurred in Toronto, Ontario, Canada prior to enlistment

May 18, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital and transferred to the CASCDD (Canadian Army Service Corps District Depot) to be treated as an out patient of the Etchinghill Hospital

May 29, 1917

Medical Board held at the Napier Barracks, Shorncliffe notes

Ø  Patient has suffered from chest pain since December of 1915

Ø  Condition noted as Endocarditis an inflammation of the heart valves

Ø  This condition is caused by a Syphilis infection acquired prior to enlistment, but has been aggravated by service at the front

Ø  Man is not fit for any service and the board recommends he be discharged from the military

Jun 28, 1917

Attached to the CASCRD (Canadian Army Service Corps Reserve Depot) in Shorncliffe

Jun 30, 1917

Admitted to the Brigade Hospital with a diagnosis that reads VDH (Valvular Disease of the Heart)

Jul 5, 1917

Sentenced to 5 days Field Punishment No. 2 for an unrecorded offence

Jul 11, 1917

Attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

Aug 14, 1917

Embarked the SS Megantic in Liverpool

Aug 27, 1917

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario and Taken On Strength Military District No. 3 Special Service Company

Aug 28, 1917

Medical Board in Kingston found him fit for duty

Oct 10, 1917

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Ennismore, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at c/o Mrs. EJ Murray, RR #2 Ennismore, Ontario

It is interesting to note that it is recorded on the Discharge Certificate that his Conduct and Character is noted as “Exemplary”.  This was in spite of his repeated charges of being absent and multiple detention sentences.

Veterans Affairs was informed by his widowed mother, that Thomas Murray died in Montreal, Quebec in February, 1920

Thomas Murray is remembered on the Wall of Honour in
Peterborough, Ontario