Mar 9, 1894

Born in Drumakill, Monaghan, Ireland to William and Margaret (nee Brown) Nelson

Aug 16, 1915

Attested into the 35^th Battalion CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Number 405366

Ø  Next of kin given as William Nelson, father, Drumakill, Ireland

Ø  Previous occupation given as Driver

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to “C” Company

The battalion trained in the Lindsay, Ontario area

On attesting, he gave the wrong birthdate, January 22, 1893 rather than his actual birthdate of March 9, 1894

Oct 16, 1915

Embarked the SS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

Oct 25, 1915

Disembarked in Plymouth, England and proceeded to Shorncliffe

Feb 6, 1916

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads Measles.  This was also described as German Measles

Feb 23, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 1, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 2, 1916

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Apr 14, 1916

He was 1 of 5 men sentenced to 15 days Field Punishment No. 1 for gambling and having a light on in the hut after Lights Out

Apr 20, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Nelson joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line near Voormezeele, Belgium

Jun 15, 1916

While in the front line trench near Verbrande Molen, Belgium on the Ypres Salient, Private Nelson received a shrapnel wound to his left hip and was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station

Jun 19, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the No. 1 Southern General Hospital in Birmingham

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

Jul 31, 1916

Transferred to the Harbour Hall Auxiliary Hospital

Aug 31, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Center in Folkestone

Sep 2, 1916

Attached to the 2^nd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Shoreham for 4 weeks of physical training and exercise

Sep 29, 1916

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

Oct 4, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 5, 1916

Arrived at the Canadian Infantry Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Oct 16, 1916

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

Jan 17, 1917

During the large raid on the German trenches west of Lens, France, (known as the Calonne Trench Raid), Private Nelson received shrapnel wounds to his back and neck.  He was evacuated to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Jan 21, 1917

Transferred to the No. 4 Canadian General Hospital in Camiers, France

Feb 4, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 5^th Northern General Hospital in Leicester

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

Feb 17, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bearwood, Wokingham

Feb 22, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

X-Rays taken here show pieces of shrapnel near his left kidney

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Apr 26, 1917

Transferred to the Ontario Military Hospital in Orpington

May 22, 1917

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford

Granted 10 days sick leave

Oct 25, 1917

X-Ray taken at the Canadian Military Hospital in Eastbourne, Sussex shows a large piece of shrapnel between the 1^st and 2^nd lumbar vertebrae

Dec 20, 1917

Granted leave until December 28, 1917

Jan 14, 1918

Admitted to the No. 14 Canadian General Hospital for continuing treatment of his shrapnel wounds.  Myalgia was added to the diagnosis

Feb 1, 1918

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Depot Company, Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot

Feb 12, 1918

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

Feb 23, 1918

Embarked the SS Grampian in Liverpool

Mar 17, 1918

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 2

Apr 1, 1918

Admitted to the Ravina Barracks Hospital in Toronto for treatment of Myalgia

Apr 18, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Entitled to 2 Gold Wound Stripes

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 102 Victor Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 102 Victor Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Entitled to 2 Gold Wound Stripes

Jun 3, 1922

Married to Jennie May Leonard in Toronto, Ontario

His occupation was given as Tea Salesman

Mar 14, 1982

Robert Thomas Nelson died in Vancouver, British Columbia and his cremated remains were buried in the Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver