Oct 1, 1888

Born in Killarney, Cork, Ireland

Nov 15, 1911

Married to Ellen Lavina Armstrong in Arnprior, Ontario

Nov 14, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59759 (temporary number 1019)

Ø  Next of kin given as Ellen O’Keefe, wife, Sand Point, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Locomotive Fireman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to “F” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

o   He performed in the Drum and Bugle Band

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

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 1, 1915

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal with pay

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

May 19, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Corporal

Sep 16, 1916

During the fighting at the sugar factory south of Courcelette, France, Corporal O’Keefe received a bullet wound to his left arm and was evacuated to the No. 3 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Sep 17, 1916

Transferred via the No. 25 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, France

Sep 20, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne

Sep 21, 1916

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

Sep 24, 1916

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

Dec 20, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

Dec 30, 1916

Rejoined the base depot from leave

May 20, 1917

Classified PB (Permanent Base) meaning he was permanently unfit for front line duty and attached to the CGBD (Canadian General Base Depot) in Etaples for duty as Orderly Corporal

Jun 1, 1917

Transferred to No. 2 Canadian Infantry Base Depot

Jun 8, 1917

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

Oct 15, 1917

Reclassified A, meaning he was fit for general service and transferred to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Oct 17, 1917

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

Nov 17, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Lance Sergeant

Nov 19, 1917

John O’Keefe rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Camblain L’Abbe, France

Dec 5, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

Dec 24, 1917

Rejoined the battalion in Auchy au Bois, France from leave

Feb 1, 1918

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford, England to receive a commission

Feb 2, 1918

Attached to the OTC (Officer Training Course) in Bexhill

Apr 27, 1918

Appointed to a commission with the rank of Lieutenant per London Gazette No. 30684 and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Aug 21, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Aug 22, 1918

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

Aug 26, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Aug 31, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Lieutenant O’Keefe rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Wanquentin, France and was posted to “C” Company

Oct 11, 1918

During the capture of Iwuy, France, Lieutenant O’Keefe received a bullet wound that punctured his lung and he was evacuated to the No. 9 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 30 Casualty Clearing Station

Oct 15, 1918

Transferred via the No. 27 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 8 General Hospital in Rouen, France where he was declared to be dangerously ill

Oct 16, 1918

Surgery performed to remove the bullet from his right lung

Oct 17, 1918

Reported to be seriously ill

Nov 7, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Panama

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 2^nd London General Hospital in Chelsea

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

Dec 6, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Officer’s Hospital, Matlock, Bath

Dec 18, 1918

Medical Board held in Matlock, Bath notes

Ø  Bullet wound has healed, but Emphysema has set in right lung

Ø  He is unfit for general service for 6 months

Ø  Man should be given the opportunity to return to Canada if he chooses

Dec 21, 1918

Discharged to duty and attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Jun 9, 1919

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Jun 23, 1919

Embarked the SS Belgic in Liverpool

Jul 1, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength Military District No. 3

Jul 4, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston and transferred to the Canadian Militia General List of Officers

Ø  Rank on discharge Lieutenant

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Sand Point, Ontario

Entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals.  There is no record in the file to indicate where his medals were sent after his discharge.

Some time after his discharge, John Henry O’Keefe moved to England with his family

Apr 4, 1959

John Henry O’Keefe died in the Victoria Hospital, Romford, England