Jul 16, 1895

Born in Gray County, Ontario

Nov 7, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59897 (temporary number 917)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mary Smith, mother, Listowel, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Barber

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to “H” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “D” Company

o   Employed as a Bomber

The 21^st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

Jan 30, 1915

Admitted to the Kingston Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Feb 1, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

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

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Oct 15, 1915

Sentenced to 5 days Field Punishment #2 for being absent from the 1:45 pm Parade.  He was 1 of 24 men missing from that parade that was formed up to proceed to the front line trench near Voormezeele, Belgium

Mar 20, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis. 

Mar 22, 1916

He was transferred to the Divisional Rest Station at the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance

Mar 24, 1916

Discharged to duty from the rest station

Apr 4, 1916

During fighting for control of the craters at St. Eloi, France, Private Robert Smith was wounded in his legs and head.  He was evacuated first to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station for treatment

Apr 10, 1916

Transferred to the No. 23 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France with a diagnosis that reads contusions to his left leg and head. 

Apr 12, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Dieppe

On arrival in England he was admitted to the Tankerton Hospital in Whitstable and Concussion and Shell Shock were added to the diagnosis

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Jun 16, 1916

Transferred to the Military Hospital in Shorncliffe

Jul 1, 1916

Transferred to the Convalescent Home in Luton

Aug 21, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Folkestone

Aug 22, 1916

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads Pleurisy and Bronchitis

Oct 3, 1916

Transferred to the Shorncliffe Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Pleurisy and Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Nov 8, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Sanitarium Hospital in Hastings

Dec 8, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Liverpool

Dec 18, 1916

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Quebec City, Quebec

Dec 20, 1916

Admitted to the Savard Park Quarantine Hospital on Grosse Isle, near Quebec City

Dec 22, 1916

Medical Board at Quebec City notes

Ø  suffers from Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Ø  has cough with expectoration

Ø  is weak and short of breath on exertion

Ø  has an old lesion in right lung

Ø  possibility of fluid in lungs

Ø  total incapacity for at least 6 months

Ø  board recommends sanatorium care

Dec 23, 1916

Discharged from Savard Park Hospital and proceeded to London, Ontario

Jan 18, 1917

Admitted to the Military Convalescent Hospital in London, Ontario as an Out-Patient

Mar 28, 1917

Transferred to the Bryon Sanatorium in London as an Out-Patient

Mar 29, 1917

Medical Board in London notes

Ø  Patient suffers from Pleurisy

Ø  No Tuberculosis found

Ø  Has history of Pleurisy in right lung

Ø  His disability is considered due to his service at the front

Ø  Board recommends 6 months of sanatorium care

Ø  Because the patient refuses sanatorium treatment the board recommends discharge from military service as Medically Unfit

Apr 30, 1917

Discharged from hospital care and from the CEF in London, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Belleville, Ontario

Shortly after his discharge be began collecting a disability pension for his service

Following the end of the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 704 Shaw St., Toronto, Ontario

May 9, 1953

Robert Clarence Smith died in Toronto, Ontario as reported by his widow, Mrs. Jean Elizabeth Smith, 704 Shaw St., Toronto