Mar 5, 1898

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

Feb 15, 1916

Attested into the 155^th 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 21^st Battalion

Dec 6, 1916

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

Dec 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Small joined the 21^st 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 2^nd 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 21^st 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 21^st 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 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training and exercise

Dec 13, 1917

Discharged from hospital care and transferred to the 6^th 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