May 28, 1900

Born in London, Ontario to Charles and Mary (nee Brown) Stearns

Jan 18, 1916

Attested into the 109^th Battalion CEF in Lindsay, Ontario

Ø  Number 725169

Ø  Next of kin given as Mary Elizabeth Stearns, mother, 6 Laurier Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farm Labourer

Ø  Previous military experience given as Governor General’s Foot Guard for 5 months

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

On attesting, he lied about his age, stating he had been born January 21, 1898, meaning that he was only 15 years old when he volunteered

Jul 21, 1916

Transferred to the No. 3 Special Service Company in Kingston when his age was discovered

Nov 1, 1916

Sentenced to 7 days detention for being absent

Nov 28, 1916

Transferred to the 252^nd Battalion in Lindsay, Ontario

May 29, 1917

The battalion embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jun 9, 1917

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

Oct 26, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 27, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Oct 30, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France

Nov 20, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Stearns joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Camblain L’Abbe, Franc

Jan 11, 1918

Once the officers of the 21^st Battalion realized his actual age, he was returned to the No. 2 Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples, France

Jan 20, 1918

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) in Seaford, England as a minor

Jan 25, 1918

Granted leave

Feb 8, 1918

Attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Apr 9, 1918

Admitted to the No. 14 Canadian General Hospital in Eastbourne with a diagnosis that reads Diphtheria Carrier and placed in isolation

Apr 26, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital and rejoined the 6^th Reserve Battalion

May 9, 1918

Transferred to the Headquarters Sub Staff in Seaford and graded as a 1^st Class Clerk

Nov 19, 1918

Transferred to the General Depot in Witley and ceased to draw Clerk’s Pay

Dec 13, 1918

Attached to the 1^st CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

Jan 3, 1919

Embarked the SS Scotian in Liverpool

Jan 15, 1919

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 2 in the Exhibition Camp

Jan 16, 1919

Granted leave until January 30, 1919

Feb 4, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 1 Park Ave., Balmy Beach, Toronto, Ontario

He had not yet turned 19 years of age

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 1 Park Ave., Balmy Beach, Toronto, Ontario

Jun 30, 1923

Married to Mary Lois Wilkinson in Toronto, Ontario