Oct 31, 1889

Born at Brockville Ontario to William George and May Bell (nee Ewing) Rowe

Feb 17, 1908

Entered the USA at Morristown, New York.  Even though he gave his birthplace as Brockville Ontario, he stated that his family was of German origin.  He gave his occupation as a Bookkeeper

Mar 16, 1916

Attested into the 154^th Battalion at Alexandria Ontario 

Ø      Number 633801

Ø      Next of kin given as William G Rowe, father, of Alexandria Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as an Agent

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

Apr 1, 1916

He began a course of instruction at Kingston Ontario

May 14, 1916

Rejoined the 154^th Battalion from course and appointed to the rank of Probationary Sergeant

Sep 1, 1916

Married to Myrna Robertson at Cornwall Ontario

Oct 25, 1916

Embarked the SS Mauretania at Halifax Nova

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant

Oct 31, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England

Jan 31, 1917

The 154^th Battalion was absorbed into the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion at the East Sandling Camp

Jul 26, 1917

Attached to the Officer’s Training Battalion at Seaford for duty

Sep 8, 1917

Rejoined the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Dec 28, 1917

Request made to voluntarily revert to the rank of Private in order to proceed to a fighting Battalion in France. 

Jan 4, 1918

Reverted to the rank of Private and transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jan 5, 1918

Arrived at the No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples France as part of a draft of 85 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Jan 9, 1918

Joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) at Calonne Ricouart from the #2 CIBD

Jan 21, 1918

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the Support Trenches near La Coulotte, south of Lens

Mar 16, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Aug 27, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal to replace 108729 L/Cpl JW Ferguson who had been killed in action during the fighting at Cambrai

Sep 19, 1918

During an enemy artillery attack along the Arras-Cambrai Road, he received shrapnel wounds to his right arm and was admitted to the No 9 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid.  He was then transferred to the No 4 CCS (Casualty Clearing Centre) for further treatment

Sep 21, 1918

Due to the seriousness of his wounds, he was transferred to the No 22 Canadian General Hospital at Dannes Camiers

Oct 1, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Ville de Liege

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital in England

Oct 2, 1918

Admitted to the Auxiliary Hospital at Frodsham

Dec 2, 1918

Transferred to the Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital at Bexhill

Feb 17, 1919

Diagnosis changed and VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea) is added to the shrapnel wounds and he was transferred to the Canadian Special Hospital at Etchinghill

Apr 5, 1919

Discharged from hospital and posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion

Apr 18, 1919

On Command to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) at Buxton pending return to Canada on Compassionate Grounds

May 10, 1919

Embarked the RMS Olympic at Southampton

TOS the Sub Depot at Military District #3, Ottawa Ontario

May 16, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa Ontario

May 19, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Ottawa Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued, number 184658

Ø      Rank on discharge Sergeant

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge, Brockville Ontario 

Following the war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 131 Albert St, Ottawa Ontario

May 23, 1919

Letter written referring him to the SCR (Soldier Civil Re-Establishment) Board in Ottawa for treatment

The following information contributed by Rod Anstee

In the years following WWI, Dean F. Rowe’s working life was devoted to his interest in & concern for the rights of returning veterans – both WWI & WWII.

He first shows up in Ottawa in the 1926 directory – he is listed as a civil servant “DSCR Ad Br” (=Department of Soldiers’ Civil Re-Establishment, Administration Branch) an early version of what would eventually evolve into the DVA. He was living at 110 Lees Avenue.

In 1930 his employment has morphed into a position with the “Dept of P & N” (= Department of Pensions & National Health, which existed 1928-1944.) He is living in the same house, though it has been re-numbered by then to 92 Lees Avenue.

Through the 1930s he maintains his job with the “Pen Br Dept of P & N.” In the 1943 directory his job remains unchanged, but he has relocated to a house at 227 4^th Avenue in the Glebe, on the north side between Percy & Chrysler.

In the years after WWII, with the influx of a new generation of veterans, he has become a “Pension Advocate DVA Ott Dist..” He remains in the 4^th Avenue house through until at least 1951