Aug 2, 1894

Born in Ottawa, Ontario

Nov 7, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59814 (temporary number 911)

Ø  Next of kin given as James Proctor, 347 ½ Gloucester St., Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Driver

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Assigned to “F” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “D” Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

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 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Apr 8, 1916

While out on a raiding party at the St. Eloi Craters, Private Proctor received a superficial bayonet wound to his left thigh.  He was evacuated first to a nearby field ambulance, then transported to a casualty clearing station for treatment

Apr 10, 1916

Transferred to the No. 23 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples for further treatment

Apr 14, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen

 
On arrival in England he was admitted to the Edinburgh War Hospital, Bangour, West Lothian

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

Jun 2, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Bearwood Park, Wokingham

Jun 15, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital and posted to the 39^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling

Jul 8, 1916

Sentenced to 16 days Field Punishment and forfeited 8 days pay and allowances for being absent

Jul 31, 1916

Forfeited 36 days pay and allowances

Aug 17, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Aug 18, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 136 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Aug 27, 1916

After leaving the base depot Private Proctor joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in the Halifax Camp near Brandhoek, Belgium with 3 other men destined to join the 21^st Battalion

Aug 30, 1916

Forfeited 7 days pay for being drunk

Aug 31, 1916

After leaving the entrenching battalion he joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Zouafques, France

Sep 15, 1916

As part of the Battle of the Somme, the 21^st Battalion was assigned the objective of capturing a strongly defended sugar refinery south of Courcelette.  The fighting was fierce and the battalion suffered a large number of casualties.  The fighting was spread over several days and it unclear from the service file which day Private Proctor was wounded, but he was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for treatment of wounds received during the fighting.

Sep 20, 1916

Private Proctor died of his wounds while at the No. 6 Field Ambulance and was buried in the nearby Albert Communal Cemetery Extension.

 
Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Mr. JE Proctor, 296 Albert St, Ottawa, Ontario

 
The Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. JE Proctor, at the same address