Jun 25, 1893

Born in East Zorra Ontario to Edmund and Jane (nee Dell) Smith                                      

Mar 29, 1916

Attested into the 168^th Battalion CEF in Woodstock, Ontario

Ø  number 675823

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Jane Smith, mother, Woodstock, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

o   Later noted as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “B” Company

On attesting he gave his birth year as 1892, not his actual birth year of 1893

The battalion initially trained in Camp Francis, near London, Ontario before moving to Camp Borden near Barrie to continue training

Oct 30, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Nov 11, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, to continue training

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Battalion in West Sandling

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion in East Sandling.  Shortly after formation, the battalion was moved to Seaford to train reinforcements for the front

Jan 16, 1917

Sentenced to 4 days CB (Confined to Barracks) for being dirty while on guard duty

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

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

Apr 21, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Smith joined the 21^st Battalion in the support trench east of Vimy Ridge, near Farbus and was posted to “B” Company

Aug 18, 1917

During the defence of Hill 70 near Lens, France, Private Smith received shrapnel wounds to his neck and legs and was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Aug 21, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Coninck

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 2^nd Western General Hospital, Tootal Road, Manchester

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

Sep 11, 1917

Transferred to the St. John Auxiliary Hospital, Radcliffe Road, Oxford

Nov 5, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Nov 19, 1917

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

Mar 29, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Apr 11, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion and arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Apr 16, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France

May 12, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Smith rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line near Mercatel, France

Jul 11, 1918

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Scabies and Seborrhea of Scalp.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance

Jul 18, 1918

Transferred to the No. 14 Canadian Field Ambulance

Jul 20, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital care and rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Agnez les Duisans, France

Sep 19, 1918

While holding the front line at Canal du Nord, along the Arras – Cambrai Road in France, Private Smith received severe shrapnel wounds to his right leg and hip.  He was evacuated to the No. 9 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 4 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Sep 20, 1918

Transferred to the No. 83 General Hospital in Boulogne, France and listed as dangerously ill

Sep 21, 1918

His right leg became gangrenous and was amputated 4 ½ inches below the knee

Sep 28, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Mill Road Military Hospital, Liverpool

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

Jan 20, 1919

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Kirkdale, Liverpool

Feb 11, 1919

Forfeited 1 days pay for being absent the previous day

Feb 24, 1919

Embarked the Hospital Ship Essequibo in Liverpool

Mar 7, 1919

Disembarked in Portland, Maine, USA and proceeded to London, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of the No. 1 District Depot

Mar 9, 1919

Admitted to the LMCH (London Military Convalescent Hospital) in London, Ontario

Mar 10, 1919

Granted leave until March 24, 1919

Mar 31, 1919

Transferred to the WOMH (Western Ontario Military Hospital) in Wolseley Barracks, London

May 2, 1919

In order to be fitted for an artificial leg, he was transferred to the DOH (Dominion Orthopedic Hospital) in Toronto, Ontario. 

Taken On Strength of the No. 2 District Depot in Toronto

Jun 26, 1919

Granted leave until July 10, 1919

Sep 10, 1919

Granted leave until September 24, 1919

Nov 12, 1919

Fitted with an artificial leg and began taking walking classes

Prior to being discharged, he was fitted with both a peg leg and an artificial leg for his use

Dec 12, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 283814

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge RR #6 Woodstock, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 24 Thornton Ave., London, Ontario

Oct 25, 1921

Married to Elizabeth Catherine McDermott in London, Ontario

Nov 17, 1979

Edmund Clarence Smith died in London, Ontario