Jan 25, 1891

Born in Sydenham, Ontario to George Webb and Julia Ann (nee Lees) Offord

Mar 31, 1901

The Canadian Census shows William and his family living in Oso Township, north of Kingston

Aug 8, 1914

Joined the 14^th PWOR (Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles)

Ø  Number 1933

Ø  Assigned to “C” Company

Oct 22, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59758 (temporary number 213)

Ø  Next of kin given as George Offord, father, Sydenham, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Locomotive Fireman

Ø  Previous military service given as 7 weeks in the 14^th PWOR (Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles)

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “B” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “A” Company

For some reason he gave his birth date as January 25, 1890 on attestation.  The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

While onboard ship, he was admitted to the infirmary with a diagnosis that reads Gonorrhea

May 15, 1915

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

May 16, 1915

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea).  This was later changed.

Jun 2, 1915

Transferred to the Central Hospital in Lichfield where the diagnosis was changed to read Phimosis, and surgery was performed to correct the problem

Jul 16, 1915

Transferred to the Moore Barracks Military Hospital in Shorncliffe

Jul 23, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Sep 25, 1915

Transferred 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.  Shortly after his arrival at the base depot, Private Offord pulled his abdominal muscles.

Nov 3, 1915

Admitted to the No. 6 Stationary Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Strained Abdomen.  He hadn’t rejoined the 21^st Battalion as yet.

Nov 12, 1915

Transferred to the Convalescent Depot in Havre

Nov 20, 1915

Medical classification changed to “TB” (Temporary Base) meaning he was temporarily unfit for front line duty and then he was discharged to light duties at the base depot in Havre.

Dec 13, 1915

After leaving the base depot, Private Offord finally rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line on the Ypres Salient near Voormezeele, Belgium

Jan 7, 1916

Attached to the 250^th Tunnelling Company for duty

Mar 24, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Varicose Veins and transferred the same day to the No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station

Mar 26, 1916

Transferred via the No. 25 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France.  Private Offord refused surgery to correct the Varicose Veins when it was offered.

Apr 5, 1916

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples

Apr 10, 1916

Transferred to the No. 3 General Base Depot in Havre

Apr 20,1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion near Voormezeele, Belgium

May 1, 1916

Attached to the 2^nd Canadian Tunnelling Company in Armentieres, France for duty

Jun 7, 1916

Attached to the 1^st Tunnelling Company for duty at La Clytte, Belgium

Jul 27, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Dermatitis

Jul 28, 1916

Transferred to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance and the diagnosis was changed to read Eczema and he was placed in the 2^nd Division Rest Station

Aug 1, 1916

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance and after being assessed, was discharged to duty with the tunnelling company

Aug 25, 1916

Ceased to be attached to the tunnelling company and rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Steenvoorde, Belgium

Sep 15, 1916

During the attack on the sugar factory on the Somme, Private Offord sprained an ankle when a shell exploded nearby.  He developed Shell Shock and was evacuated to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station for treatment

Sep 16, 1916

Transferred via the No. 25 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France with a diagnosis that reads Shell Shock

Sep 19, 1916

Transferred to the No. 20 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Sep 20, 1916

Transferred to the No. 5 Convalescent Depot in Cayeux, France

Oct 4, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the Base Details in Havre

Oct 7, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

Oct 26, 1916

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Nov 5, 1916

After leaving the base depot, William Offord rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line west of Lens, France

Dec 18, 1916

Attached to the 4^th Field Company, Canadian Engineers for duty

Dec 28, 1916

Granted leave until January 7, 1917

Jan 10, 1917

Rejoined the 4^th Field Company from leave

Jan 17, 1917

Ceased to be attached to the Canadian Engineers and rejoined the 21^st Battalion

Apr 9, 1917

During the capture of Vimy Ridge, Private Offord was wounded in the back as a result of an enemy shell explosion that partially buried him.  It was 5 hours before he could be rescued and he was then evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station

Apr 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 3 Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Boulogne, France with abdominal and back pain

Apr 18, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Patrick

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

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

May 15, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

May 25, 1917

When he became severely constipated, Private Offord was transferred to the Manor, County of London War Hospital in Epsom

Jun 30, 1917

Transferred back to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Jul 6, 1917

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

Jul 17, 1917

Admitted to the Canadian Military Hospital in Eastbourne with a diagnosis that reads Appendicitis

Sep 6, 1917

Surgery performed to remove his Appendix

Oct 22, 1917

Discharged from hospital to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot and attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training

Mar 14, 1918

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

Apr 27, 1918

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot but remained attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion

May 9, 1918

Transferred to the CFCBD (Canadian Forestry Corps Base Depot) in Sunningdale

May 16, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corps District No. 53 in Egham, Surrey and posted to the 101^st Company

Aug 22, 1918

Granted permission to marry

Aug 31, 1918

Married to Emily Budd in the All Saints Church, Carshalton, Surrey, England

Dec 2, 1918

Medical Board in Sunningdale notes

Ø  Patient is diagnosed with Neurasthenia

Ø  Complains of being short of breath, feels weak and is nervous

Ø  He stutters when excited

Ø  Has a poor physique looks distressed

Ø  His condition is due to service at the front

Ø  Minimum duration of above conditions will probably last for 6 months

Dec 7, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corps Base Depot in Sunningdale

Jan 2, 1919

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

Jan 31, 1919

Embarked the RMS Tunisian in Liverpool with his wife Emily

Feb 10, 1919

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

Feb 12, 1919

Posted to the Military District No. 3 Depot in Kingston

Feb 13, 1919

Granted leave until February 26, 1919

Mar 7, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 90510

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C55186

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 368 Princess St., Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Trenton, Ontario

Sep 30, 1919

Admitted to the Sydenham Street Military Hospital in Kingston with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis

Oct 31, 1919

Discharged from hospital to the care of the SCR (Soldier’s Civil Re-establishment) Department

Nov 17, 1922

William Charles Offord died when his chest was crushed in an accident in Marmora, Ontario and buried in Kingston, Ontario.  At the time of his death, his occupation was listed as a Switchman

Jun 30, 1927

William’s widow Emily, remarried in Kingston to William Bertram Evans