Jul 4, 1890

Born at Isle of Man, England

Mar 18, 1916

Attested into the 126^th Battalion at Brampton Ontario 

Ø      Number 775993

Ø      Next of Kin given as William Shimmin (father) of 116 Market St., Peel, Isle of Man, England

o       Note from family indicates the number should read “16 Market St.”

o       Next of kin was later changed to Mrs Catherine Shimmin (nee Gray), wife, of 13 Thorncroft St., London, SW 8, later changed to 281 Perry St., Peterboro Ontario

o       A note was recorded to also notify Mrs Fred Sayle (Royal Nursing Sister) of 44 Parry St., Seacombe, Cheshire, England

Ø      Previous occupation given as “Iron Moulder”

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as “Presbyterian”

Ø      6 tattoos are noted on left arm

Aug 14, 1916

Embarked the SS Empress of Britain at Halifax for England

Aug 24, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England

Oct 15, 1916

SOS (Struck Off Strength) the 126^th Battalion and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 116^th Battalion at Bramshott

Dec 22, 1916

SOS 116^th Battalion on proceeding to France on posting to 21^st Battalion

Dec 23, 1916

TOS 21^st Battalion

Jan 18, 1917

Left to join 2^nd Entrenching Battalion

Jan 21, 1917

Attached to the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion in the field

Feb 24, 1917

Left the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion to join the 21^st Battalion

Feb 26, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field as a reinforcement

Apr 10, 1917

Admitted to No 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux France, with a GSW (Gun Shot Wound) to left hand

Apr 11, 1917

Posted to EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while wounded and invalided to England.

 Note that the file records the ship as “H/S St Andrein?”.  Given the question mark in the file, I suspect they were unsure of the correct name.  I suspect it should read “H/S St Andrew” as it was in use at that time.

Apr 16, 1917

Transferred to the Grove Military Hospital, Tooting, England and TOS EORD

May 19, 1917

Transferred to CCH (Canadian Convalescent Hospital) at Bromley

May 23, 1917

Discharged from CCH Bromley and is shown On Command of No 3 CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot)

Aug 2, 1917

TOS 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Aug 3, 1917

Discharged from No 3 CCD and sent to 6^th Reserve Battalion

Sep 5, 1917

Granted permission to marry

Dec 27, 1917

Posted to 21^st Battalion overseas

Dec 28, 1917

Arrived at No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in France

Jan 1, 1918

Arrived at CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

Jan 20, 1918

Left CC Rein C to join unit

Jan 21, 1918

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field

Apr 2, 1918

Wounded (GSW left hand) and admitted to No 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) and transferred to No 3 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Apr 4, 1918

Transferred to No 16 General Hospital

May 12, 1918

Admitted to No 3 CCD

Jun 11, 1918

Discharged from No 3 CCD to Base Depot

Jun 12, 1918

TOS “A” Company, CIBD

Jun 17, 1918

Arrived at CC Rein C

Aug 6, 1918

Left CC Rein C to join unit

Aug 7, 1918

Joined 21^st Battalion in the field

Aug 26, 1918

Killed in Action 

Buried at Tilloy British Cemetery
Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines, France, II-A-24

Jun 30, 1920

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to widow, Mrs. Catherine Gray, at 281 Perry St., Peterboro Ontario

Dec 29, 1920

Death Plaque and Scroll were sent to his widow

Jun 29, 1922

Memorial Cross sent to widow at the above address 

Note was made that no Memorial Cross was sent to his mother as her address was unknown