May 6, 1889

Born at Mountain Station Ontario

Nov 6, 1917

Sworn into the 1^st Saskatchewan Depot Battalion at Regina Saskatchewan under the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 

Ø      Number 256195

Ø      Next of kin given as Gideon Smith (father) of 2160 McIntyre St, Regina Saskatchewan

Ø      Previous occupation given as Clerk

Ø      No previous military Experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist

Apr 9, 1918

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Halifax Nova Scotia

Apr 19, 1918

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the Bramshott camp

Apr 20, 1918

TOS (Taken On Strength) the 15^th Reserve Battalion at Bramshott

Jun 11, 1918

Admitted to No 12 Canadian General Hospital with a diagnosis of Indigestion.  It was noted on admission that he suffered from stomach cramps and dysentery.  It was also noted that all of his symptoms disappeared on admission

Jun 22, 1918

Discharged to duty

Sep 11, 1918

Transferred to the 5^th Battalion and proceeded to France

Sep 12, 1918

Arrived at CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in France and TOS the 5^th Battalion

Sep 16, 1918

Arrived at the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

Sep 27, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 28, 1918

TOS the 21^st Battalion and left CC Rein C to join unit

Oct 2, 1918

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in the Hindenburg Support Line but were suffering from an enemy artillery attack with 1 Officer, 2 Other Ranks and 4 horses being wounded, along with 11 horses being killed.  The Battalion reports a draft of 155 Other Ranks joining the Battalion

Oct 11, 1918

Reported to be Missing After Action 

The Battalion made an attack against the Marcoing Line, near Avesnes-le-Sec.  From the 21^st Battalion War Diary:

Earlier in the War Diary, it is stated that the total attacking strength of the Battalion was 606 all ranks.  From the above entry it is clear they suffered over 53% casualties in the attack.  It is worthy to note that Pte Smith had been with the 21^st Battalion for only 9 days!

Dec 9, 1918

It was officially reported on this date that Pte Smith was a POW (Prisoner of War) being held at Gustrow, Mecklenburg, in northern Germany, shown below

It would appear that he was wounded at the time of his capture, although there are no records from his time in captivity.  However on his discharge certificate, there is mention of a scar from a bullet wound on his right thigh

Jan 21, 1919

TOS the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) on arrival at the Maple Leaf Club, Berkeley Square, London

Jan 22, 1919

Left the Maple Leaf Club and proceeded to Ripon in northern England

Feb 18, 1919

Posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Mar 26, 1919

Transferred to MD No 2 at Kinmell Park pending return to Canada

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the SS Lapland at Liverpool

TOS No District Depot Toronto Ontario

Apr 10, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Toronto Ontario

Apr 12, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Toronto Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 289509

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge 2160 McIntyre St, Regina Saskatchewan

Ø      Noted on his discharge certificate is a scar from a bullet wound on his right thigh

May 5, 1920

Married to Anges Reid at Dundas Ontario

Jun 17, 1922

His British War Medal and the Victory Medals were sent to him at 1864 Rae St, Regina Saskatchewan

Oct 23, 1967

Died at Ottawa Ontario