Jul 1, 1897

Born in Penetanguishene, Ontario to Francis and Rosina (nee Denis) Tessier

Oct 1, 1917

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at Belleville, Ontario

Jan 5, 1918

Conscripted into the 1^st Depot Battalion, EOR (Eastern Ontario Regiment) under the MSA in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 4020318

o   Later chanted to 3055318

Ø  Next of kin given as Frank Tessier, father, Penetanguishene, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Marine Engineer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the 2^nd Regimental Draft

An order to change his service number to 3055318 was issued January 24, 1918.  However, the 4020318 number continued to be used on most pages of his file.  The LAC database lists him with both numbers

Jan 22, 1918

The 2^nd Regimental Draft embarked the SS Scotian in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Feb 6, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the draft was absorbed into the 7^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford to continue training

Feb 15, 1918

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Aug 9, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Aug 28, 1918

While advancing on the south side of the Arras – Cambrai Road, south east of Vis en Artois, France, Private Tessier received a superficial shrapnel wound to the back of his head and was evacuated to the No. 8 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station

Aug 29, 1918

Transferred to the No. 56 General Hospital in Etaples, France

Sep 4, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Horton (County of London) War Hospital in Epsom

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

Oct 11, 1918

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Nov 29, 1918

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

Granted 12 days sick leave

Dec 27, 1918

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

Jan 11, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

Jan 17, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 2 at the Exhibition Camp

Granted leave until February 4, 1919

Feb 20, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 86531

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Penetanguishene, Ontario

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

Jan 18, 1927

Married to Rosana Robitaille in Midland, Ontario

Aug 30, 1972

Ovila Tessier died and was buried in the Sainte-Croix Cemetery, Lafontaine, Ontario