Apr 11, 1892

Born in Madoc, Ontario to John Stafford and Mary Anne “Minnie” (nee Burns) Stewart

Feb 21, 1916

Attested into the 155^th Battalion in Madoc, Ontario

Ø  Number 636658

Ø  Next of kin given as John Stewart, father, Madoc, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Salesman

o   Later noted as Clerk

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

The 21^st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Sep 4, 1916

Admitted to the Barriefield Military Hospital with a cold

Sep 5, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Dec 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 147 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

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

Dec 31, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the base depot in Havre to receive out patient treatment

Feb 19, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

Feb 26, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Stewart finally joined the 21^st Battalion at the front in the Elbe Trench, east of Neuville Saint Vaast and was posted to “C” Company

Mar 15, 1917

While on a work party, Private Stewart suffered the effects of gas poisoning and was evacuated to a nearby field ambulance for first aid

Mar 17, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment.  He was later released and rejoined the 21^st Battalion.  The effects of this exposure would resurface later as will be seen

Apr 9, 1917

During the capture of Vimy Ridge, Private Stewart received a shrapnel wound to his left eye.  He was evacuated to a nearby field ambulance for first aid, then transferred to a casualty clearing station

Apr 11, 1917

Transferred to the No. 13 Stationary Hospital in Boulogne

Apr 14, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the King George Hospital, Stamford St., London

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

May 9, 1917

Transferred to the Westcliffe Eye and Ear Hospital in Folkestone to be treated for vision problems.  On admission he was noted as being shaky and nervous, as well as sleeping poorly.

He was then employed in the hospital’s Officer’s Mess and as a Batman to give him time to recover while performing light duties.

Oct 2, 1917

Discharged from hospital with 10 days sick leave and a recommendation for 6 months of light duties

Oct 14, 1917

Joined the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford from leave

Oct 23, 1917

Attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Nov 28, 1917

Medical Board notes

Ø  Suffers from defective vision due to Retinitis caused by shell explosion April 9, 1917

Ø  Impaired vision will not be improved with glasses

Ø  Vision will likely improve with time

Feb 4, 1918

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

Ceased to be attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion on admission to hospital

On admission he could only speak in a whisper due to gas poisoning at the front

Feb 22, 1918

Discharged to receive out patient treatment for his Syphilis

Mar 4, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Military Hospital, Etchinghill, Lyminge

Apr 12, 1918

Circumcision performed to correct damage from the Syphilis infection

May 15, 1918

Transferred to the Westcliffe Canadian Eye and Ear Hospital and Aphonia (inability to speak) was added to the diagnosis

Jul 25, 1918

Medical Board notes

Ø  Examination shows vocal cords reddened and roughed

Ø  It will be months before he will be able to speak above a whisper

Ø  Board recommends he be invalided to Canada for discharge

Oct 1, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Kirkdale, Liverpool

Oct 14, 1918

Invalided to Canada aboard the Hospital Ship Araguaya

Oct 27, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was TOS (Taken On Strength) Military District No. 3 Depot and admitted to the Queen’s Military Hospital

Oct 30, 1918

Granted leave until November 14, 1918

Nov 15, 1918

Granted leave until November 18, 1918

Nov 22, 1918

Granted leave until December 2, 1918

Dec 10, 1918

Medical Board notes

Ø  Suffers from Chronic Laryngitis with partial Aphonia caused by gas exposure at the front

Ø  Cannot speak above a whisper

Ø  Man appears well nourished and otherwise healthy

Ø  There is a cyst on upper eyelid of right eye but patient does not wish surgery for removal

Ø  Board recommends he be discharged from service with pensionable disability due to his service at the front

Dec 16, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital and posted to the Casualty Company in Kingston

Dec 17, 1918

Medical Board notes

Ø  Man suffers from Chronic Laryngitis with partial Aphonia

Ø  Was gassed in March of 1917 and lost his voice for 6 months

Ø  Can only speak in a low voice and cannot shout

Ø  There is a cyst over right upper eyelid but refuses surgery to remove it

Dec 21, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A” and War Service Badge Class “B”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge, Madoc, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Madoc, Ontario

From the 1960 summer issue of the Communiqué, the post war newsletter of the 21^st Battalion Association