Jan 2, 1893

Born in Cork, Ireland to John and Mary Ann (nee O’Keefe) O’Donovan

Dec 15, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59756 (temporary number 1165)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. MA O’Donovan, mother, Carlton Place, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Iron Worker

o   Later noted as Locomotive Fireman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the Depot Company

o   Later posted to the Transport Section

On attesting, he stated he had been born in England, not Ireland

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Dec 23, 1914

Admitted to the Queen Street Military Hospital in Kingston with a diagnosis that reads Tonsilitis

Dec 24, 1914

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 31, 1915

The Transport Section, along with horses and wagons, proceeded to England as an advance party to arrange for the arrival of the full battalion.

The battalion arrived in Devonport, England May 15, 1915 and reunited with the Transport Section in the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent where the battalion continued training

Jun 16, 1915

Posted to “B” Company from the Transport Section

Jul 6, 1915

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Jul 8, 1915

Reported for duty and sentenced to 120 hours Detention and forfeited 3 day’s pay for his absence

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Nov 17, 1915

Employed with the 2^nd Divisional Coal Fatigue

Jul 23, 1916

Admitted to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, France with a diagnosis that reads right ear Suppurative Otitis Media (a perforated ear drum with drainage)

Aug 1, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne

Aug 2, 1916

Discharged to the base details in Boulogne

Aug 8, 1916

Classified TB (Temporary Base), meaning he was not fit for combat duty and transferred to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Aug 14, 1916

Private O’Donovan was medically classified “C” meaning he was fit for non combat service in England only and transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) in England

Aug 17, 1916

Admitted to the Westcliffe Eye and Ear Hospital in Folkestone

Sep 28, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 1, 1916

Attached to the Westcliffe Eye and Ear Hospital in Folkestone for light duties

Dec 9, 1916

Ceased to be employed at the Westcliffe Hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre

Dec 12, 1916

Attached to the GDD (Garrison Duty Depot) in Hastings for PBD (Permanent Base Duty)

Jan 18, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot for pay purposes and remained attached to the duty depot for employment

Mar 17, 1917

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot

Apr 24, 1917

Transferred to the CRTD (Canadian Railway Troops Depot) in Purfleet

May 5, 1917

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

May 26, 1917

Embarked the SS Justicia in Liverpool

Jun 7, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was posted to Military District No. 3 Permanent Base Unit

Jun 18, 1917

Transferred to the Special Service Company in Kingston

Aug 6, 1917

Transferred to “C” Unit in Kingston and admitted to the Elmhurst Convalescent Home

Sep 11, 1917

To be treated as an Out Patient of the Elmhurst Convalescent Home

Sep 21, 1917

Readmitted to the Elmhurst Convalescent Home

Sep 25, 1917

Medical exam in Kingston notes

Ø  Suffers from Chronic Otitis Media in right ear and weak right leg from previous shrapnel wound to knee

o   There is no entry in his service file that shows treatment for an injury to his leg

Ø  Patient is deaf in right ear, left ear normal

Ø  Right eardrum is perforated and condition is probably permanent

Ø  Board recommends he be discharged from service

Oct 12, 1917

To be treated as an Out Patient of the Elmhurst Convalescent Home

Nov 30, 1917

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Carleton Place, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 678 Albert St., Ottawa, Ontario

Dec 1, 1917

Married to Agnes Leach in Ottawa, Ontario

Mar 26, 1950

Dennis O’Donovan died while a patient of the Shaughnessey Military Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia and was buried in the Ocean View Cemetery in Vancouver