Sep 12, 1893

Born in Ottawa, Ontario

Nov 16, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59807 (temporary number 330)

Ø  Next of kin given as James Racelle, Renfrew, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to “C” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “B” Company

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

Mar 6, 1915

Sentenced to 5 days Detention for an unrecorded offence

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

May 23, 1915

Sentenced to 14 days Detention and forfeited 3 day’s pay for being absent

Jun 19, 1915

Sentenced to 10 days Detention and forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent from camp

Jun 30, 1915

Sentenced to 28 days Detention and forfeited 2 day’s pay for being absent from June 29 to June 30

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Dec 16, 1915

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment No. 1 for using abusive language to a superior

Jan 31, 1916

Sentenced to 5 days Field Punishment No. 1 for breaking away from a fatigue party without permission

Sentenced to an additional 7 days Field Punishment No. 1 for refusing to obey and order

Feb 15, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet Determined).  The diagnosis was changed to read Mumps and he was immediately transferred to the Isolation Hospital in Bailleul, France

The diagnosis was changed again to read Septic Meatitis and he was transferred to the No. 7 General Hospital in St. Omer, France

Mar 5, 1916

Transferred to the No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne, France and Impetigo was added to the diagnosis

Mar 16, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne and the Neurasthenia was added to the diagnosis

Mar 22, 1916

Sentenced to 5 days Field Punishment No. 1 and forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent from 8:30 pm March 20 till 9:00 pm March 21

Mar 27, 1916

Discharged to the base details in Boulogne

Apr 2, 1916

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

Apr 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Portuguise rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in La Clytte, Belgium

Apr 22, 1916

During heavy enemy shelling at the St. Eloi Craters in Belgium, Private Portuguise was buried by a shell explosion and was evacuated to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance before being transported to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance suffering from Shell Shock

Apr 29, 1916

Transferred to the No. 17 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station).  He was then transferred to the No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital in Boulogne, France

May 2, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Queen Mary’s Royal Naval Hospital in Southend

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

May 20, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Jun 30, 1916

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Aug 10, 1916

Medical exam notes

Ø  Man suffers from shell shock and is nervous

Ø  Heart rate is rapid and slightly irregular

Ø  Complains of pain over his heart

Ø  8 weeks of convalescent at the Monks Horton Hospital is recommended

Sep 29, 1916

Discharged from Monks Horton Hospital and transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Oct 4,1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 5, 1916

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

Oct 16, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Portuguise rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Divion, France

Oct 19, 1916

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

Nov 12, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Bully Grenay, France

Nov 24, 1916

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment No. 1 for “Hesitating to obey and order.”

Dec 18, 1916

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

Jan 17, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Calonne, France

Feb 12, 1917

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis

Feb 18, 1917

Transferred to the No. 22 Casualty Clearing Station and the diagnosis was changed to read Malaise

Feb 21, 1917

Transferred via the No. 20 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 4 General Hospital in Camiers, France and the diagnosis was changed to read Vertigo

Feb 26, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples, France

Feb 28, 1917

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the Details Camp for full duty in Etaples

Mar 13, 1917

Admitted to the No. 7 Canadian Stationary Hospital in Harfleur, France with a diagnosis that reads Debility

Mar 23, 1917

Transferred to the No. 4 Convalescent Depot with a diagnosis that reads DAH (Disordered Activity of the Heart)

Apr 17, 1917

Discharged from the convalescent depot and transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France

Apr 30, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Portuguise rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in the Brigade Camp near Aux Rietz, France

May 20, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre after being classified TB (Temporary Base) meaning he was not fit for front line duty

Jul 5, 1917

Classified PB (Permanent Base) meaning he was now considered unfit for front line duty permanently and attached to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Oct 15, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Oct 29, 1917

Rejoined the infantry base depot from leave

Jan 9, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool

Jan 17, 1918

Attached to the No. 7 Canadian General Hospital for duty

Jan 24, 1918

Placed in confinement for refusing to work.

Feb 1, 1918

Tried by Field General Court Martial and charged with

Ø  When on active service disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer at Etaples on 24^th January, 1918 when ordered by Sergeant Major D. Hazelwood, 7^th Canadian General Hospital, to work in the incinerator and he did not do so.

When testimony was given by the Sgt Major and a witness that he had refused to comply, Private Portuguise responded by stating he had said that he was not capable of performing the duty.  The Medical Officer then testified that he examined the accused the following day, January 25, and found him physically fit and able to perform the duty

The court found him Guilty as charged and sentenced him to 28 days Field Punishment No. 1

Feb 27, 1918

Ceased to be attached to the hospital and joined the Canadian General Base Depot

May 9, 1918

Transferred to the 41^st Company, Canadian Forestry Corps

Jun 25, 1918

Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment No. 1 and forfeited 1 day’s pay for:

1. Absent without leave from 10:15 pm June 23 until apprehended by police at 11 am June 24, 1918
2. Disorderly conduct
3. Forcing entry into a house occupied by French civilians and damaging their property

Jun 27, 1918

Attached to the No. 1 District Canadian Forestry Corps to serve his field punishment

Sep 12, 1918

Transferred to the 29^th Company, Canadian Forestry Corps

Dec 19, 1918

Admitted to the1/2 North Midland British Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads DAH (Disordered Activity of the Heart).  He was transferred the same day to the No. 34 Casualty Clearing Station

Dec 24, 1918

Transferred via the No. 22 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 6 General Hospital in Joinville le Pont, near Paris France

Dec 29, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Grantully Castle

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the No. 4 Canadian General Hospital in Basingstoke where Dyspepsia was added to the diagnosis.  On admission his physical condition makes him appear 10 years older than his stated age.

Transferred to the CFCBD (Canadian Forestry Corps Base Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Jan 23, 1919

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Forestry Corps Base Depot in Sunningdale

Feb 22, 1919

Transferred to the Military District No. 3 Wing in Rhyl pending return to Canada

Mar 19, 1919

Embarked the SS Minnekahda in Liverpool

Mar 28, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Mar 29, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 230826

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Arnprior, Ontario

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

Nov 6, 1950

Joseph Portuguise died of Senile Psychosis while a patient of the Ontario Hospital in Kingston, Ontario.  He was buried in the Malloch Road Cemetery, Arnprior, Ontario