Nov 30, 1897

Born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England

Aug 21, 1915

Attested into the 77^th Battalion CEF in Smiths Falls, Ontario

Ø  Number 144959

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. N. Watkins, mother, 151 Earlscourt Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Drill Hand

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Wesleyan

Ø  Posted to the 1^st Regimental Draft

Oct 23, 1915

The battalion’s 1^st Reinforcing Draft embarked the SS California in Quebec, City, Quebec

Oct 31, 1915

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Shorncliffe where the draft was absorbed into the 12^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Feb 26, 1916

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe with issues from a Hernia

Mar 2, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 15, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Mar 16, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 1,288 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Mar 21, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Pearson joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line near Voormezeele, Belgium and was posted to No. 1 Platoon, “A” Company

Apr 9, 1916

During heavy fighting at the St. Eloi Craters in Belgium, Private Pearson received shrapnel wounds to his left knee, right arm and feet.  He was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid

Apr 10, 1916

Transferred to the No. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) before being transported by the No. 23 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 3 General Hospital in Boulogne, France for treatment

Apr 25, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne

Apr 29, 1916

Discharged to the base details in Boulogne

May 4, 1916

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

May 18, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Pearson rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in the “B” Camp in Dickebusch, Belgium

Oct 13, 1916

Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads ICT (Inter Connective Tissue) infection of the toes in his left foot.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 6 Stationary Hospital in Frevent, France

Oct 14, 1916

Transferred via the No. 14 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 2 Canadian General Hospital in Le Treport, France

Dec 18, 1916

After being discharged from hospital, Private Pearson rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Brigade Reserve at Calonne, France

Jan 29, 1917

Readmitted to the No. 2 Canadian General Hospital for ongoing treatment of the infection in his feet and toes.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 3 Convalescent Depot to continue his recovery in Le Treport, France

Feb 21, 1917

Discharged to the base details in Boulogne

Feb 23, 1917

Transferred to the base depot in Havre

Mar 5, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

Apr 16, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Pearson rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the support trench near Thelus, France

In July 1917, the 21^st Battalion was headquartered in a convent in the town of
Bouvigny, France while the men rehearsed for the attack on Hill 70.
Next to that convent was a church and a number of men climbed into the
bell tower and carved their names on the walls there.  Below is Private Pearson’s
name as he carved it.  Thank you to Patrice Machin for sharing that image

Aug 29, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Sep 13, 1917

Rejoined the battalion in Villers au Bois, France from leave

Jan 19, 1918

Attached to the 1^st Canadian Tunnelling Company for duty

Jan 31, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from the tunnelling company

Oct 8, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Nov 1, 1918

Rejoined the battalion in Aniche, France from leave

Dec 3, 1918

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave) at 0600 hrs

Dec 6, 1918

Reported for duty at 1330 hrs and sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment No. 1 and forfeited total of 18 days pay for his absence

Mar 22, 1919

Proceeded to England and transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) in Seaford for the purpose of being married

Mar 30, 1919

Married with permission to Florence Mary Moss at the All Saints Church, Wolverhampton.

Apr 15, 1919

Posted to Depot Company of the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford

May 24, 1919

Transferred to “H” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

Aug 9, 1919

Transferred to No. 1 CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

Aug 13, 1919

Embarked the SS Baltic in Liverpool with his wife

Aug 21, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Aug 25, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 321263

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 58 Ascot Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 19 Fairbanks Ave., Toronto, Ontario

John Thomas Pearson moved to the USA and in 1923 resided in Homestead, Pennsylvania

Jun 5, 1923

John Thomas Pearson applied for Permanent Resident Status in the USA in Homestead, Pennsylvania

Thomas Pearson died in Largo, Florida in May of 1965