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Oct 18, 1881
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Born in Bexley, Ontario to
James and Mary (nee Burridge) Spencer
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Jul 25, 1906
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Married to Mary Jane Mintz in
Monmouth, Ontario. The bride’s age is
noted as 15 years.
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Jan 17, 1916
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Attested into the 109th Battalion CEF
in Gooderham, Ontario
Ø Number 726077
Ø Next of kin given as Mary Spencer, wife,
Gooderham, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Labourer
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Methodist
Ø Posted to “D” Company
On attesting he gave his birth year as 1881. However, he later stated that he did not
know how old he was. The 1881 Canadian
Census shows his age as being 6 months.
In the spring of 1916, the 109th
Battalion moved to Camp Borden near Barrie, Ontario for advanced training
In early July 1916, the
battalion moved to the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario
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Jul 23, 1916
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Embarked the SS Olympic in
Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Jul 31, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool, England
and proceeded to the Bordon Camp, near Longmoor, Hampshire
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Aug 16, 1916
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The battalion moved to
Bramshott to continue training
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Oct 5, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
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Oct 6, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian
Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the
21st Battalion
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Oct 22, 1916
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After leaving the base depot,
Private Spencer joined the 21st Battalion in Bully Grenay, France
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Jan 17, 1917
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During a large trench raid on
the enemy line at Calonne, France, Private Spencer received shrapnel wounds
to his left leg and upper back that fractured his scapula. He was evacuated to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian
Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 6 CCS
(Casualty Clearing Station)
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Jan 26, 1917
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Transferred to the No. 18
General Hospital in Camiers, France
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Feb 1, 1917
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Invalided to England aboard
the Hospital Ship Dieppe
On arrival in England, he was
admitted to the Tunbridge Wells Military Hospital, Chatham
Transferred to the CCAC
(Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital
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Feb 10, 1917
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Surgery performed to repair
damage and allow for drainage
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Mar 10, 1917
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Transferred to the newly formed
EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital
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Jun 6, 1917
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Transferred to the No. 14
Canadian Military Hospital in Eastbourne
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Jul 6, 1917
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Discharged from hospital and
attached to the 3rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical
training and exercise
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Aug 2, 1917
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Medical Exam notes
Ø There are 2 wound
scars on his back and left leg
Ø Complains of pain
in back and leg
Ø Is unable to raise
his right arm above his head
Ø Has limited
movement of right shoulder
Ø His apparent age is
50 years
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Sep 11, 1917
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Discharged from the command
depot and reported to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford
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Sep 19, 1917
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Attached to the CDD (Canadian
Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada
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Oct 2, 1917
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Embarked the SS Scandinavian
in Liverpool
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Oct 11, 1917
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Disembarked in Quebec City,
Quebec
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Oct 17, 1917
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Medical Board in Quebec City
notes
Ø Man has limited
movement of right arm
Ø Left leg is weak
Ø Is unable to raise
right arm above parallel to ground
Ø Right arm is always
sore and has poor grip
Ø Walking causes his
leg to ache
Ø Stated he does not
know his age and looks to be 45 years
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Nov 1, 1917
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Transferred to the No. 3
Special Service Company in Kingston, Ontario
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Jan 2, 1918
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Discharged from the CEF in
Kingston, Ontario
Ø Rank on discharge
Private
Ø Entitled to War
Service Badge Class “A”
Ø Proposed residence
on discharge Gooderham, Ontario
Following the end of the war,
the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Gooderham,
Ontario
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Oct 14, 1957
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John James Spencer died of
stomach cancer while a patient of the Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay and
was buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Lindsay, Ontario.
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