May 12, 1896

Born in Bolton, Lancashire, England to James and Matilda (nee Shuttleworth) Orrell

Jun 3, 1913

Embarked the SS Canada in Liverpool with his mother and 4 siblings

Jun 11, 1913

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to St. Thomas, Ontario to join his father and brother

Dec 13, 1915

Attested into the 91^st Battalion CEF in St. Thomas, Ontario

Ø  Number 189672

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Matilda Orrell, mother, 199 Chestnut Street, St. Thomas, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Blacksmith Apprentice

Ø  Previous military experience given as 2 years in the 25^th Elgin Regiment, Canadian Militia

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “A” Company

Jun 25, 1916

The battalion boarded a train in St. Thomas for Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jun 28, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 5, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Otterpool

Jul 15, 1916

Transferred to the 12^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Aug 20, 1916

Transferred to the 75^th Battalion

Aug 21, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 75^th Battalion

Oct 4, 1916

While still at the base depot before he could join the 75^th at the front, he was transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 9, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Fieffes, France and was posted to “C” Company

Oct 12, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Diarrhea.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 6 Stationary Hospital in Frevent, France

Oct 14, 1916

Transferred via the No. 14 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 16 General Hospital in Le Treport, France

Oct 24, 1916

Transferred to the No. 3 Convalescent Depot in Le Treport

Oct 31, 1916

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the Canadian Base Depot in Havre, France

Nov 6, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Orrell rejoined the 21^st Battalion near Calonne-Ricouart, France

Feb 25, 1917

Proceeded on the Lewis Machine Gun and Bombing Course

May 10, 1917

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet Determined) Nervousness.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance

May 16, 1917

Discharged to duty and rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Aux Rietz, France

Jul 30, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Aug 10, 1917

Rejoined the battalion west of Lens, France in preparation for the attack on Hill 70

Aug 13, 1917

Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea) and transferred the same day to the No. 22 Casualty Clearing Station

Aug 14, 1917

Transferred to the No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples, France

Oct 11, 1917

Discharged from hospital and reported to the No. 2 Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples

Oct 16, 1917

Re-admitted to the No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples for ongoing treatment of his Gonorrhea infection

Dec 13, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Jan 23, 1918

Discharged from hospital, but was re-admitted to the No. 51 General Hospital the same day for ongoing treatment as an out-patient

Apr 17, 1918

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Apr 23, 1918

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

Apr 25, 1918

Admitted to the No. 13 Canadian Field Ambulance with persistent symptoms of his Gonorrhea infection.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 57 Casualty Clearing Station

Apr 27, 1918

Transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples, France again

May 1, 1918

Discharged from hospital and joined the Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples

May 7, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in Aubin St. Vaast, France

May 12, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Orrell rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line near Mercatel, France

Aug 14, 1918

Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Vomiting.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 47 Casualty Clearing Station and the diagnosis was changed to read Gastritis

Aug 16, 1918

Transferred via the No. 15 Ambulance Train and admitted to the USA No. 12 General Hospital in Rouen, France

Aug 20, 1918

Transferred via the No. 42 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 72 General Hospital in Trouville, France

Aug 26, 1918

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the No. 15 Convalescent Depot in Trouville

Oct 11, 1918

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples

Oct 23, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Oct 28, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Orrell rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Auberchicourt, France

Nov 1, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Nov 16, 1918

Leave extended to November 19, 1918

Nov 24, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Lambusart, Belgium

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Canadian Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Sieburg

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

On arrival in England, he was attached to “P” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston by train

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 277336

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 199 Chestnut St., St. Thomas, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 28 flora St., St. Thomas, Ontario

Jun 2, 1920

Married to Violet Mae Farley in St. Thomas, Ontario

Sep 6, 1967

John Orrell died in St. Thomas Ontario and was buried in the Elmdale Cemetery in St. Thomas