Feb 26, 1900

Born in Codrington, Ontario to Manly and Emma (nee St. Peters) Rightmyer

Feb 2, 1916

Attested into the 139^th Battalion CEF in Cobourg, Ontario

Ø  Number 814230

Ø  Next of kin given as Manley Rightmyer, Brighton, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

He was evasive about his age, only giving February 22 for a birth date with no year stated

Feb 21, 1916

Discharged from the CEF in Cobourg, Ontario as underage

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Brighton, Ontario

Mar 1, 1916

Attested into the 139^th Battalion CEF in Cobourg, Ontario

Ø  Number 814928

Ø  Next of kin given as Emma Rightmyer, mother, Belleville, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 1 month in the 139^th Battalion CEF

Ø  Religion given as Baptist

He lied again about his age, stating he was born February 22, 1899, not his actual birth date of February 26, 1900

Sep 21, 1916

Transferred to the 239^th Battalion in Valcartier, Quebec

Sep 28, 1916

Discharged from the CEF in Valcartier, Quebec as underage

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Brighton, Ontario

Dec 4, 1916

Attested into the 254^th Battalion CEF in Belleville, Ontario

Ø  Number 1093081

Ø  Next of kin given as Emma Rightmyer, mother, 34 Wharf St., Belleville, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

o   Later noted as Munition Worker

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Salvation Army

He lied about his age, stating he was born February 22, 1898, not his actual birth date of February 26, 1900

The battalion trained in the Belleville, Ontario area

Mar 10, 1917

Admitted to the Belleville Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Mar 13, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 16, 1917

Appointed to the provisional rank of Corporal

May 29, 1917

Reverted to the rank of Private and embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jun 9, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Seaford where it was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Sep 2, 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

Sep 16, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Villers au Bois, France

Oct 8, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, he joined the No. 2 CDR Bn (Canadian Division Reinforcement Battalion)

Oct 18, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement battalion, Private Rightmyer joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Ourton, France

Nov 11, 1917

While in the front line at Passchendaele, Belgium, Private Rightmyer received a wound that caused a fracture in his right foot and was evacuated to the No. 9 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 2 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Nov 12, 1917

Transferred via the No. 17 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 14 General Hospital in Wimereux, France

Nov 17, 1917

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne, France

Nov 20, 1917

Transferred to the No. 3 Large Rest Camp in Boulogne

Nov 23, 1917

Transferred to the 4^th Canadian Infantry Base Depot for disposal as a minor

Dec 6, 1917

Transferred to the No. 2 Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples, France

Dec 21, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) to be held as a minor

Feb 4, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, he rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the Hills Camp at Neuville St. Vaast, France

Feb 12, 1918

The 21^st Battalion returned him to the No. 2 Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples pending proof of age

Feb 23, 1918

Once his age was confirmed, Private Rightmyer was returned to England and transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot to be discharged as a minor

On arrival in England, he was attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Mar 12, 1918

Transferred from the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

May 11, 1918

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford and posted to the Depot Company

May 16, 1918

Attached to CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

Jun 22, 1918

Embarked SS Empress of Britain in Liverpool

Jul 3, 1918

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

Aug 5, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 34 Wharf St., Belleville, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 34 Wharf St., Belleville, Ontario

May 28, 1923

Entered the USA at Ogdensburg, New York.  His reason for entry was to find work.  He stated he was married and gave Emma Rightmyer (his mother) as his wife

Jun 22, 1926

Married to Hanna Lueritia Vails in Belleville, Ontario

In 1936 he married Edna Louise Rogers, a widow, in Avon, New York, USA.  I found no resolution of his first marriage

Feb 14, 1942

Registered for the Military Draft in Geneseo, New York

Apr 2, 1950

David Grant Rightmyer died while a patient of the Veteran’s Hospital in Buffalo, New York, USA and was buried in the Avon Cemetery, Avon, New York, USA.  His death was considered to be a result of his front line service, however no Memorial Cross was issued as he married post war and his mother could not be located.