Jul 29, 1891

Born in Galt, Ontario

Jun 26, 1915

Attested into the 59^th Battalion CEF in Smiths Falls, Ontario

Ø  Number 454581

Ø  Next of kin given as Maria Smith, wife, 300 George St., Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Typesetter

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Assigned to “D” Company

 
The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Aug 13, 1915

Sentenced to 168 hours of detention and forfeiture of 4 days pay for being absent

Nov 15, 1915

Appointed to the provisional rank of Corporal

Dec 30, 1915

Forfeited 1 days pay for an unspecified offence

Apr 1, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Apr 11, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp

Jul 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling

Jul 30, 1916

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Aug 1, 1916

Arrested by the Military Police at 1.30 pm

Aug 4, 1916

Forfeited 2 days pay and allowances and reduced to the rank of Private as punishment for his absence

Aug 10, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Aug 12, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and as part of a draft of 77 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Aug 14, 1916

Admitted to the No. 39 Canadian General Hospital in Havre with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Oct 12, 1916

Discharged from hospital to the base depot in Havre

 
Placed under a pay stoppage of 60¢ per day for the 59 days in hospital as punishment for becoming infected

Oct 14, 1916

Left the base depot to join his unit

Oct 16, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Smith joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Divion, France

Feb 19, 1917

While in the front line trench near Thelus, France, Private Rex Smith received shrapnel wounds to his chest, right thigh, right hand and abdomen.  He was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid and then transferred to the No. 30 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment

Feb 25, 1917

Private Rexwell McMillan Smith died of his wounds at the No. 30 Casualty Clearing Station and was buried in the nearby Aubigny Communal Cemetery, Aubigny-en-Artois, France

 
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. Mary Leech (she remarried), 15 Bicester Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England