Matthew David Small


Mar 5, 1898

Born in Carlow Township, Ontario to Isaac and Elizabeth (nee McWhirter) Small

 

Feb 15, 1916

Attested into the 155th Battalion CEF in Bancroft, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 636616

Ø  Next of kin given as Elizabeth Small, mother, Boulter, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

 

Jul 27, 1916

Received dental treatment at the Barriefield infirmary

 

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

 

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Dec 6, 1916

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

 

Dec 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Small joined the 21st Battalion resting in Bully Grenay, France

 

Dec 11, 1916

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Gonorrhea

 

Dec 12, 1916

Transferred to the No. 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Dec 18, 1916

Transferred via the No. 31 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 39 General Hospital in Havre

 

Dec 24, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre

 

Dec 29, 1916

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

 

Feb 3, 1917

Sentenced to 3 days Field Punishment No. 1 for being absent from the 8:30 am parade and for contravention of censorship regulations

 

Feb 8, 1917

Rejoined the 21st Battalion in Marles les Mines, France

 

Apr 15, 1917

While cleaning his rifle in his tent at Bois des Alleux, France, Private Small’s rifle discharged and wounded him in his left foot.  He was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid

 

Apr 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 58 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Apr 17, 1917

While in hospital, he was placed under confinement to await trial by Court Martial

 

May 8, 1917

Tried by Field General Court Martial in Lillers, France and charged with negligently wounding himself in the left foot

Testimony was given that he was in his tent at Bois des Alleux, France cleaning his rifle when it discharged, wounding him in his left foot.

He pled Guilty and was sentenced to 42 days Field Punishment No. 1

 

May 19, 1917

Transferred to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, France while in custody

 

May 22, 1917

Discharged from hospital and reported to the base details in Boulogne in custody

 

May 26, 1917

Reported to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France under escort as a prisoner

 

Jun 7, 1917

Rejoined the 21st Battalion resting in Coupigny, France

 

Jul 18, 1917

Admitted to field ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Trench Fever

 

Jul 20, 1917

Transferred to the No. 5 General Hospital in Rouen, France

 

Aug 12, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Warilda

 

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the General Hospital in Edmonton

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

 

Aug 30, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Hillingdon House, Uxbridge

 

Sep 11, 1917

Discharged from hospital and attached to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training and exercise

 

Dec 13, 1917

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

 

Mar 6, 1918

Forfeited 3 days pay for overstaying a pass from March 4 to March 6, 1918

 

Mar 26, 1918

Declared to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

 

Apr 16, 1918

Court of Inquiry declared him to be illegally absent from March 26, 1917 and that he is still absent

Struck Off Strength as a Deserter

He somehow managed to return to Canada undetected and was never apprehended by the authorities

 

Apr 13, 1921

Married to Alice Delilah McFarlane in the Emanuel Church, Maynooth, Ontario

 

Dec 31, 1982

Matthew David Small died in North Bay, Ontario

 


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