Jun 10, 1899

Born in London, England

Jan 11, 1916

Attested into the 109^th Battalion CEF in Woodville, Ontario

Ø  Number 725151

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Thomas Parsons, mother, Smallfield, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farming

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to “C” Company

On attesting he gave his birth year as 1898, not his actual birth year of 1899

In the spring of 1916, the 109^th Battalion moved to Camp Borden near Barrie, Ontario for advanced training

In early July 1916, the battalion moved to the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

Jul 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp, near Longmoor, Hampshire

Aug 16, 1916

The battalion moved to Bramshott to continue training

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Oct 25, 1916

His age was discovered and he was returned to England and transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) in Hastings after being classified PB (Permanent Base) without actually joining the 21^st Battalion at the front

Nov 2, 1916

Medical exam in Shoreham notes that he is underage and suffering from an eye infection

He complains of pain in his eyes and suffers from headaches in bright light.  He states that his eyelids are stuck together when he awakens in the morning

Nov 8, 1916

Attached to the CASC (Canadian Army Service Corps) for duty in Shoreham

Dec 7, 1916

Ceased to be employed with the Canadian Army Service Corps and rejoined the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Hastings

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) and attached to the Garrison Duty Depot for duty

Jun 8, 1917

Attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training and exercise at St. Leonard’s on Sea

Jun 24, 1917

Sentenced to 3 days Field Punishment No. 2 for creating a disturbance

Sep 13, 1917

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

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

Nov 17, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Poperinghe, Belgium

Private Parsons joined the 21^st Battalion shortly after his arrival in Belgium

Jan 11, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Aug 26, 1918

While the 21^st Battalion was advancing towards Vis-en-Artois, France on the south side of the Arras-Cambrai Road, Private Parsons received a shrapnel wound that fractured his right arm.  He was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 33 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Aug 28, 1918

Transferred to the No. 3 General Hospital in Le Treport, France

Sep 4, 1918

Surgery was performed to remove shrapnel from his arm

Sep 10, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Andrew

On arrival in England he was admitted to the Queen Mary Military Hospital in Whalley

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

Nov 22, 1918

Transferred to the Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital in the Cooden Camp, Bexhill

Dec 6, 1918

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

Granted 10 days sick leave

Dec 27, 1918

Sentenced to 15 days Field Punishment No. 2 and forfeited a total of 26 days pay for overstaying his leave by 11 days

Jan 12, 1919

Attached to Military District No. 3 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

Feb 8, 1919

Embarked the SS Princess Juliana in Liverpool

Feb 17, 1919

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

Feb 20, 1919

Granted leave until March 6, 1919

Mar 15, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 90614

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Woodville, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Woodville, Ontario

In 1976 he reported that he was living in the Harborne Nursing Home in Lakefield, Ontario.  He reported that he had been a patient in St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto for the 2 previous years.

Albert Edward Parsons died in 1981 and was buried in the Rosemount Memorial Gardens, Springville, Ontario