Oct 2, 1885

Born in Vennachar, Ontario

Apr 28, 1917

Attested into the 1^st Reinforcing Draft of the 156^th Battalion CEF in Prescott, Ontario

Ø  Number 2255362

Ø  No next of kin given

o   Stated that he had no known living relatives

Ø  Previous occupation given as Lumber Tallier

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Current address given as De Kalb Junction, New York, USA

Ø  Religion given as Baptist

May 26, 1917

Transferred to the 254^th Battalion in Belleville, Ontario

Jun 2, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jun 9, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Seaford where it was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion and arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 12 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Nov 17, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart

Dec 2, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Spearance joined the 21^st Battalion resting in the Suburban Camp near Villers au Bois, France

Jan 31, 1918

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Impetigo and was transferred the same day to the No. 4 CFA.

Feb 5, 1918

Transferred to the No. 1 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment

Feb 9, 1918

Transferred via the No. 35 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples

Mar 6, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven

 
On arrival in England he was admitted to the 1^st Birmingham War Hospital, Rednal, Birmingham where the diagnosis was changed to read Tonsillitis

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

Mar 18, 1918

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Mar 25, 1918

Attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) to continue his recovery

May 2, 1918

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

May 22, 1918

Admitted to the No. 14 Canadian General Hospital in Eastbourne with a diagnosis that reads Laryngitis

Jun 26, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jul 3, 1918

Arrested by civilian police in Seaford and brought before the Magistrate in the Police Court on the charge of “Drunk and Incapable” and found guilty and paid a small fine.

Aug 9, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion and arrived at the No. 2 Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples, France and TOS the battalion.  He rejoined the battalion shortly after his arrival in France.

Aug 28, 1918

During the 21^st Battalion’s attack on the enemy at the Sensee River south-east of Vis-en-Artois, France, Private Ernest Edward Spearance was killed in action

Sep 4, 1918

The Burial Officer reports that Private Spearance was buried in the Vis-en-Artois Military Cemetery, Haucourt, France

 
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his uncle, George A. Briggs, RFD #4, Goveneur, New York, USA

 
There was no Memorial Cross issued

Captain, Reverand R.J. Renison MC, the battalion’s Chaplain,
wrote in the Communiqué about finding a note attached to a dead soldier that
he discovered in a shell crater.  That note was on the body of
Private Edward Spearance