Aug 14, 1894

Born in Toronto, Ontario to Edward Lucas and Martha Jane (nee Smith) Nokes

Nov 5, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59751 (temporary number 676)

Ø  Next of kin given as N Nokes, brother, Highgate, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Wesleyan

Ø  Posted to “F” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

o   Employed as a Bomber

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

Nov 25, 1914

Struck Off Strength of the battalion as being under age, however 6 days later he was reinstated with same number and company

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

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Apr 3, 1916

While in the front line trench on the Ypres Salient near Voormezeele, Belgium, Private Nokes was buried by the explosion of an enemy shell.  When dug out by his comrades, he was suffering from a concussion and evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid

Apr 7, 1916

Transferred to the No. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Apr 8, 1916

Transferred via the No. 17 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 18 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Apr 26, 1916

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples, France

May 3, 1916

Discharged to the No. 3 General Base Depot in Boulogne, France

May 6, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Nokes rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in the “B” Camp at La Clytte, Belgium

Aug 14, 1916

The 21^st Battalion was again occupying the front line on the Ypres Salient near Voormezeele and Private Nokes was buried again by the explosion of an enemy shell.  He suffered another concussion and was evacuated to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid and Shell Shock was diagnosed.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station

Aug 15, 1916

Transferred via the No. 16 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, France

Aug 17, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot near Boulogne, France

Aug 27, 1916

Discharged to the base details in Boulogne

Aug 30, 1916

After being declared unfit for duty, Private Nokes was transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

Oct 4, 1916

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion at Albert, France

Oct 6, 1916

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Nokes rejoined the 21^st Battalion at the front north of Courcelette, France

Oct 26, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance with an infected right foot

Oct 29, 1916

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance

Nov 5, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Dec 12, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

Dec 26, 1916

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Jan 5, 1917

Admitted to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance with diagnosis that reads Nephritis, an inflammation of the kidneys.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 22 Casualty Clearing Station.

Jan 9, 1917

Transferred via the No. 12 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 20 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Jan 20, 1917

Discharged to duty with the Etaples Base Details

Jan 24, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Feb 19, 1917

After leaving the base depot he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

Mar 5, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion Private Nokes rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting west of Vimy Ridge, France

Apr 9, 1917

During the capture of Vimy Ridge, Private Nokes was buried a 3^rd time by an artillery shell and received a severe concussion.  He was evacuated to a nearby field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station

Apr 10, 1917

Transferred to the No. 7 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples

Apr 16, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the1/5 Northern General Hospital in Leicester.  On admission he was noted as very terrified and slow in speech.

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

Jun 12, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bearwood, Wokingham

Jun 23, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Aug 6, 1917

Discharged to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for Physical Training

Oct 11, 1917

Discharged from hospital care and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Dec 20, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Dec 22, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength the 21^st Battalion

Dec 26, 1917

After leaving the base depot he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France

Mar 1, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Nokes rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Lievin, France

Mar 4, 1918

While in front line trench near Lens, France, Private Nokes suffered another concussion from the explosion of an enemy shell and was evacuated to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station.  On admission to the casualty clearing station, it was noted that he was “extremely nervous, crying and moaning etc.  There is no evidence of a wound or contusion.”

Mar 10, 1918

Transferred via the No. 16 Ambulance Train and admitted to the St. John Ambulance Brigade Hospital in Etaples, France and noted as seriously ill

Mar 15, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Norfolk War Hospital

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot for pay purposes while in hospital

Apr 19, 1918

Transferred to the No. 16 Canadian General (Ontario) Hospital in Orpington

Apr 26, 1918

Doctors note that this is his 3^rd concussion and has spent considerable time in hospital with shell shock, and recommend he be returned to Canada for discharge after receiving treatment

May 20, 1918

Private Nokes was offered leave and he refused it, asking to be returned to the front.  This request was denied

Jun 3, 1918

Embarked the Hospital Ship Neuralia in Avonmouth

Jun 14, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Montreal, Quebec

Jun 21, 1918

Taken On Strength District Depot No. 4 in Montreal

Jul 6, 1918

Admitted to the PCMNH (Presbyterian Collage McGill Montreal Neurological Hospital) in Montreal with a diagnosis that reads Neurasthenia

On admission he is noted as “very dull looking man, heavy appearance, talks as if his mind were being recalled from a long way off to think up answers to questions and answers are slow in coming.”  He states he has terrifying dreams about being at the front.

Doctors recommend Physical and Vocational Training along with Psychotherapy

Aug 5, 1918

Discharged from hospital

Aug 7, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Montreal, Quebec

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge c/o Mrs. T. Smith, Woodville, Ontario

Ø  Entitled to wear 3 wound stripes

Following the end of the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him c/o Mrs. R. Whitney, 34 Victoria Ave. N., Lindsay, Ontario

Sep 1, 1926

Married to Mary Etta Fowlie in Perth, Ontario

Occupation given as Stationary Engineer

Sep 8, 1975

Gordon Austin Nokes was reported to Veterans Affairs Canada as having died on this date with no further details provided.