|
Sep 23, 1897
|
Born in Vellore, Vaughan Township, Ontario to
James and Louisa Maria (nee Agar) Neal
|
|
Nov 16, 1916
|
Attested into the 2nd Canadian Army
Service Corps Training Depot in Toronto, Ontario
Ø Number 513220
Ø Next of kin given as Maria
Neal, mother, Elders Mills, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as
Farmer
o
Later
noted as Student
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
Ø Posted to the 10th
Regimental Draft
|
|
Dec 12, 1916
|
The 10th Regimental Draft of the
training depot left Toronto to proceed to Halifax, Nova Scotia
|
|
Dec 20, 1916
|
Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia
|
|
Dec 28, 1916
|
Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded
to Shorncliffe where he was TOS (Taken On Strength) the CASC-TD (Canadian
Army Service Corps Training Depot) to continue his training
|
|
May 8, 1917
|
Transferred to the 7th Reserve
Battalion in Seaford
|
|
Sep 12, 1917
|
Transferred to the 21st Battalion
|
|
Sep 13, 1917
|
Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base
Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 42 reinforcements from
England and Taken On Strength the 21st Battalion
|
|
Sep 27, 1917
|
After leaving the base depot, Private Neal joined
the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Villers au Bois, France
|
|
Oct 9, 1917
|
After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private
Neal finally joined the 21st Battalion in the front line trench
north east of the town of Vimy, France and was posted to the Machine Gun
Section
|
|
Nov 28, 1917
|
While the 21st Battalion was in the
support trenches east of Vimy Ridge, work parties were supplied to improve
the trench system. While out on one of
those work parties, the group came under an enemy artillery barrage. Private Neal received shrapnel wounds to
his back, left leg and left hand. He
was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid
before being transported to the No. 42 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for
treatment
|
|
Nov 30, 1917
|
Transferred via the No. 9 AT (Ambulance Train)
and admitted to the No. 26 General Hospital in Etaples for treatment
|
Toronto Star, December 10, 1917
|
|
Dec 11, 1917
|
Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship
Ville de Liege
On arrival in England he was admitted to the
Cyngfield VAD (Volunteer Aid Detachment) Hospital in Kingsland, Shrewsbury
where surgery was performed to repair damage
Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario
Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital
|
|
Mar 27, 1918
|
Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital
in Woodcote Park, Epsom
X-rays show shrapnel in hand preventing movement
of thumb and fingers
|
|
Apr 10, 1918
|
Transferred to the Manor War Hospital in Epsom
|
|
Apr 11, 1918
|
Surgery performed to remove shrapnel
|
|
May 4, 1918
|
Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital
in Epsom
|
|
Jul 17, 1918
|
Attached to the 3rd CCD (Canadian
Convalescent Depot) to continue his recovery
|
|
Sep 26, 1918
|
Discharged from hospital care and transferred to
the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford
|
|
Dec 13, 1918
|
Transferred to MD #2 in Kinmel Park pending
return to Canada
|
|
Jan 11, 1919
|
Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton
|
|
Jan 17, 1919
|
Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded
to Toronto, Ontario
|
|
Jan 21, 1919
|
Granted leave with subsistence until February 6,
1919
|
|
Feb 6, 1919
|
Medical Board at Exhibition Park, Toronto notes
Ø Patient suffered from shrapnel
wounds in France
Ø Suffers from back pain when
lifting
Ø Pain is worse in damp weather
Ø Wounds in hand and leg are
healed
Ø Expect that the back pain will
subside after 3 months
Ø Medical Category set at BII,
meaning he is only fit for base duties, not for combat
|
|
Feb 11, 1919
|
Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario
Ø Rank on discharge Private
Ø War Service Badge Class “A”
issued
Ø Proposed residence on
discharge Elders Mills, Ontario
Following his discharge, the British War Medal
and Victory Medals were sent to him at RR #1, Nashville, Ontario
|
|
Jun 30, 1926
|
Married to Annie Catherine McCallum in Elders
Mills, Ontario.
Bill Neal went to western Canada to work on a
farm before returning to Ontario where he owned and operated a car dealership
for many years in Aurora, Ontario
|
|
|
|
Jun 16, 1979
|
William James Neal passed away June 16, 1979
|
|
