Nov 3, 1892

Born in Centreville, Ontario to Samuel and Sarah (nee Martin) Switzer

Jun 7, 1912

Married to Fanny Jane Clark in Newburgh, Ontario

Aug 2, 1915

Attested into the 59^th Battalion CEF in Barriefield, Ontario

Ø  Number 455079

Ø  Next of kin given as Fanny Switzer, wife, Camden East, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 47^th Regiment

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Posted to “A” Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Aug 16, 1915

Sentenced to 8 days detention and forfeited 8 days pay for being absent

Aug 24, 1915

Sentenced to 64 hours detention for an unrecorded offence

This was followed by 120 hours detention

Oct 21, 1915

Sentenced to 168 hours detention and forfeited 4 days pay for an unrecorded offence

Dec 11, 1915

Reported to be absent

Court of Inquiry later reported him to be a Deserter and he was Struck Off Strength of the battalion

Jan 25, 1916

Attested into the 155^th Battalion CEF in Marlbank, Ontario

Ø  Number 636479

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Sarah Switzer, mother, Napanee, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 47^th Regiment

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Jun 30, 1916

Forfeited 5 days pay for being absent

Jul 30, 1916

Sentenced to 2 days detention and forfeited 4 days pay for being absent

Aug 30, 1916

Forfeited 2 days pay

Sep 15, 1916

Sentenced to 28 days detention and forfeited 40 days pay

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) and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Dec 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Switzer joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Bully Grenay, France

May 8, 1917

While his company was in the front line with the 19^th Battalion at Vimy Ridge, he suffered the effects from a gas attack and was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid, then transferred to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance.

May 10, 1917

Transferred to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital in Rouen, France

May 27, 1917

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne, France

Jun 3, 1917

Discharged to the No. 3 Large Rest Camp in Boulogne

Jun 6, 1917

Discharged from hospital care and reported to the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France

Jun 13, 1917

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

Jun 26, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Switzer rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Coupigny, France

Jul 11, 1917

While in the front line near Angres, France, Private Switzer was partially buried by a shell explosion and when dug out by his comrades, he had suffered from a fractured right foot and bruises.  He was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transferred to a casualty clearing station

Jul 13, 1917

Transferred to the No. 20 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Jul 20, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Endell Street Military Hospital in London

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

Aug 20, 1917

Transferred to the Hillingdon House Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Uxbridge

Sep 21, 1917

Discharged from hospital and attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training and exercise at St. Leonards on Sea

Nov 15, 1917

Discharged from the command depot and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Apr 10, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 11, 1918

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

Apr 16, 1918

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

Apr 21, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Switzer rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the support trenches near Neuville Vitasse, France

Aug 16, 1918

During the advance on the village of Fransart, France, Private Switzer suffered from the effects of a gas shell and was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 6 General Hospital

Aug 21, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Western Australia

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 4^th Southern General Hospital in Plymouth

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

Aug 30, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bear Wood, Wokingham

Sep 13, 1918

Discharged from hospital and  attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training and exercise at St. Leonards on Sea

Oct 4, 1918

Admitted to the Canadian Military Hospital, Etchinghill, Lyminge with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Ceased to be attached to the command depot on being admitted to the Lyminge Hospital

Nov 30, 1918

Discharged from hospital and returned to the command depot

Dec 3, 1918

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Dec 11, 1918

Attached to Military District No. 3 Wing, Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

Dec 21, 1918

Embarked the SS Carmania in Liverpool

Dec 30, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of the Military District No. 3

Granted leave until January 14, 1919

Feb 6, 1919

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 Marlbank, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal (below) and Victory Medals were sent to him at Enterprise, Ontario

Mar 9, 1969

Samuel Ernest Switzer died in Marmora, Ontario and was buried in the Marmora Common Cemetery