Jun 8, 1890

Born in Newbury, Berkshire, England

Jan 20, 1912

Embarked the SS Sardinian in London

Feb 4, 1912

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Alberta to be a farmer

Oct 16, 1914

Shown on the payroll of the 9^th Mississauga Horse Regiment in Toronto, Ontario

Nov 11, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59854 (temporary number 568)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. E. Rolfe, mother, Tullock Farm, Berkshire, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  Previous military experience given as Royal Berkshire Regiment for 3 years and the 9^th Regiment, Mississauga Horse in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Posted to 11 Platoon, “E” Company

o   This was later reorganized into 11 Platoon, “C” Company

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

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

May 1, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

May 10, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the reserve trench near Scottish Wood, near Voormezeele, Belgium

Oct 4, 1916

While the battalion was occupying the support trench south of Poperinge, Belgium, the enemy opened up with a short artillery barrage.  Private Rolfe received a shrapnel wound to his right shoulder and was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to the casualty clearing station.  After being assessed, he was transferred to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, France

Oct 5, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Andrew

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Northumberland War Hospital in Gosforth

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

Nov 28, 1916

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Jan 18, 1917

Attached to the CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training at St Leonard’s Hospital

Feb 3, 1917

Granted permission to marry.  His next of kin was changed to Mrs. Elsie Rolfe, Hermitage, Berkshire, England

Mar 2, 1917

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

Mar 11, 1917

Attached to the 3^rd Canadian Command Depot

Mar 31, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

May 10, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

May 11, 1917

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

Jun 4, 1917

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

Jun 12, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Rolfe rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Coupigny, France

Jul 2, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal without pay

Aug 15, 1917

During the capture of Hill 70 near Lens, France, Lance Corporal Rolfe received shrapnel wounds to the left side of his chest.  He was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station

Aug 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 26 General Hospital in Etaples, France.  On arrival X-Ray shows a shrapnel ball embedded in the left side of his chest

Aug 17, 1917

Surgery performed to remove shrapnel from his chest

Aug 18, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

On arrival in England, he was admitted to Northamptonshire War Hospital, Duston, Northamptonshire. 

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

Oct 22, 1917

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Nov 2, 1917

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

Jul 29, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal with pay

Jan 6, 1919

Reprimanded for being absent from 1 pm January 3 to 2.30 pm January 3 when he was arrested by Canadian Military Police.  He was also reprimanded for being improperly dressed when apprehended

Mar 31, 1919

Attached to 2^nd CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in London pending discharge from service

Apr 1, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in London, England

Ø  Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Hermitage, Berkshire, England

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 222 Stewart St., Kingston, Ontario

Jul 27, 1920

Embarked the SS Scotian in London, England with his wife Elsie

Aug 7, 1920

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario.  His stated reason for entering Canada was to join the Canadian Forces

In 1936, he is noted as serving in the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment in Kingston with the rank of Sergeant

Mar 14, 1940

Living at 393 Division St., Kingston, Ontario with his wife

In 1953, he retired from the Kingston Post Office.

Apr 16, 1956

Alfred Thomas Rolfe died as a result of his active service and the Memorial Cross was issued to his widow, Mrs. Elsie Rolfe, 34 Pine St., Kingston, Ontario