Jun 14, 1890

Born in Brighton, Ontario, Canada to Robert James and Emma (nee Lee) Nesbitt

Nov 3, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59743 (temporary number 266)

Ø  Next of kin given as DJ Nesbitt, Brighton, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Canner

o   Later noted as Factory Manager

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to “C” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “B” Company

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

An unusual event that I could find no further information about

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 8, 1915

Appointed to the provisional rank of Corporal

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

May 20, 1915

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer.  During the march to St. Omer, Sergeant Nelson fell and suffered a groin injury that became increasingly more painful

Sep 22, 1915

Transported via the No. 14 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 2 Canadian General Hospital in Havre with a diagnosis that reads Hernia. 

Sep 26, 1915

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Anglia

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 3^rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield and on admission, Furunculosis was added to the diagnosis, in addition to a persistent cough

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

Oct 14, 1915

Transferred to the Monks Horton Convalescent Hospital

Oct 15, 1915

Discharged to duty and reported to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Oct 31, 1915

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Nov 2, 1915

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

Mar 19, 1916

Attached to the 4^th CIB (Canadian Infantry Brigade) Trench Mortar Battery for duty

Sep 27, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling, England to receive a Commission

Nov 20, 1916

Appointed to a Commission with the rank of Lieutenant and transferred to the General List of Officers and attached to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Nov 30, 1916

Transferred to the 4^th CMR (Canadian Mounted Rifles)

Dec 1, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 97 reinforcements from England and Taken On Strength the 4^th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles

Dec 14, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Lieutenant Nesbitt joined the 4^th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles at the front

Jan 31, 1917

Admitted to the No. 8 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Tonsilitis

Feb 2, 1917

Transferred to the No. 12 Stationary Hospital in Havre, France and the diagnosis was changed to read Pyrexia, a fever

Feb 9, 1917

Transferred via the No. 23 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the Duchess of Westminster No. 1 British Red Cross Hospital.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 39 General Hospital in Havre, France and the diagnosis was changed to read VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis)

Apr 3, 1917

Discharged from hospital and reported to the base depot in Havre

Apr 19, 1917

Left the base depot to rejoin the 4^th Canadian Mounted Rifles near Vimy Ridge

Jul 3, 1917

Attached to the Canadian Corps Training School

Aug 15, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Aug 23, 1917

Appointed to rank of Acting Captain

Aug 29, 1917

On returning from leave, he rejoined the 4^th Canadian Mounted Rifles in Bouvigny, France

Sep 24, 1917

Ceased to hold rank of Acting Captain

Oct 26, 1917

While the 4^th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles was engaged in the fierce fighting at Passchendaele, Belgium, Lieutenant Nelson received bullet wounds to his back and one ear that narrowly missed his skull.  He was evacuated to the nearby field ambulance for first aid

Oct 28, 1917

Transferred to the No. 4 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) where his wounds were described as “dangerous”.  In addition to a fractured scapula, Gangrene had set in and surgery was performed to remove infected muscle tissue.

Oct 31, 1917

Transferred to the No. 2 Red Cross Hospital in Rouen, France

Dec 2, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Carisbrook Castle

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Marylebone Road, London

Transferred to the 2^nd CORD (Central Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Jan 8, 1918

Discharged from hospital

Feb 2, 1918

Embarked the SS Olympic in Liverpool

Feb 13, 1918

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

Feb 27, 1918

Medical exam in Kingston notes

Ø  Portion of left ear is missing due to gun shot wound

Ø  Extensive scar from left side of neck to left scapula from surgery in France where muscle was removed

Ø  Has lost 80% of power in left arm due to muscle loss

Ø  Left shoulder and arm become stiff and painful in cold weather

Ø  Has a continuous cough with sputum

Ø  Board recommends 3 months convalescence under supervision of medical officer as an out-patient with regular dressing changes

Apr 18, 1918

Admitted to Kingston Hospital for treatment

Jun 4, 1918

Discharged from hospital and posted to Military District No. 3 Casualty Company in Kingston

Jun 17, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Lieutenant

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Brighton, Ontario

On being discharged he was married to Helena Gertrude Vermilyea in Belleville, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 203 Charles St., Belleville, Ontario

Feb 24, 1962

William John Nesbitt died in Brighton, Ontario and was buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Brighton