Mar 22, 1898

Born to William Joseph and Mary (nee McGuire) Smith at Belleville Ontario

Mar 1, 1916

Attested into the 155^th Battalion at Belleville Ontario 

Ø      Number 636758

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs WJ Smith (mother) of the Albion Hotel, Belleville Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Student

Ø      Previous military experience given as 4 years in the Cadets

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic

Oct 18, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland at Halifax Nova Scotia

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England

Dec 8, 1916

He was transferred to the 154^th Battalion at Bramshott

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Corps Assembly Centre) but remained with the 154^th Battalion on Attachment 

A Medical Board at Bramshott notes that he is suffering from ingrown toenails and cannot march

Jan 31, 1917

Attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling

Mar 10, 1917

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) but remained attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

Taken On Strength of the 6^th Reserve Battalion

May 3, 1917

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

May 4, 1917

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

May 7, 1917

Left the CBD to join the 21^st Battalion

May 31, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line near Vimy Ridge, and assigned to “A” Company.  There is no explanation in the file as to why it took 2 weeks for him to reach the Battalion.  A possible explanation might be found in that the CBD was in the process of moving from Havre to Etaples and he may have been caught up in that move.

Aug 15, 1917

During the attack at Hill 70, Pte Smith received a shrapnel wound to his left arm, fracturing it, and was admitted to No 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance).  After receiving first aid treatment, he was transferred to the No 23 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment

Aug 16, 1917

Transferred to the No 18 General Hospital at Dannes Camiers

Aug 19, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital

Aug 20, 1917

Admitted to the 2^nd Western General Hospital at Manchester

Sep 27, 1917

Transferred to the CCH (Canadian Convalescent Hospital) at Woodcote Park, Epsom

Nov 12, 1917

Discharged from hospital and placed On Command to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) at Seaford

Feb 7, 1918

Posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Mar 6, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Mar 22, 1918

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave) at 11 pm

Mar 26, 1918

Reported for duty from being AWL and was fined 5 days pay in addition to the loss of pay for the 5 absent days

Apr 11, 1918

Posted to the 21^st Battalion and arrived at No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples France and TOS the 21^st Battalion.

Apr 16, 1918

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

May 15, 1918

Joined the 21^st Battalion at Wailly as part of a draft of 7 Other Ranks and rejoined “A” Company

Aug 8, 1918

During an attack at Marcelcave, Pte Smith was wounded by shrapnel in his chest.  He was admitted No 1 CFA for first aid then transferred to No 47 CCS.  That evening he was transferred via No 34 AT (Ambulance Train)

Aug 9, 1918

Admitted to the USA No 9 General Hospital at Rouen

Aug 12, 1918

Transferred to No 74 General Hospital at Trouville

Aug 31, 1918

Transferred to No 13 Convalescent Depot at Trouville

Oct 22, 1918

Arrived at No 2 CIBD at Etaples and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Nov 8, 1918

Left the CIBD to join the CC Rein C

Nov 11, 1918

Arrived at the CC Rein C at Aubin St Vaast

Nov 14, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion at Mesvin Belgium, near Mons

Jan 24, 1919

Awarded the Military Medal per London Gazette #31142

This was awarded for acts of bravery during the attack at Marcelcave on August 8, 1918 when he was wounded in action

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia at Havre France

Apr 4, 1919

TOS “P” Wing at Witley pending return to Canada

May 14, 1919

Embarked the RMS Caronia at Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded by train to Kingston Ontario

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Kingston 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 279762

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Albion Hotel, Belleville Ontario 

At a later date, his British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 87 Canifton Rd, Belleville Ontario