Jun 28, 1868

Born in St. John’s Wood Barracks, London, England

Sep 25, 1913

Married and next of kin shown as Mrs. Ida Emily Thornber, 129 Queens Road, Bayswater W. London, England

Nov 22, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59981 (temporary number 1079)

Ø  Next of kin given as Thomas Thornber, father, Beaumont Cottage, Windsor, London, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Soldier

o   Also noted as a Servant

Ø  Previous military experience given as 4½ years in the 2^nd Regiment of Life Guards in England with service in South Africa and 1½ years in the South Africa Constabulary

Ø   Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “B” Company

o   Later posted to the Transport Section

He lied about his age, stating he had been born June 28, 1878, when in fact, his actual birth date was June 28, 1868.  It is also noted that he once was employed as a servant to Francis, the Duke of Teck who is a great grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II.

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Mar 31, 1915

The Transport Section, along with horses and wagons, proceeded to England as an advance party to arrange for the arrival of the full battalion.  While onboard ship tending to the horses, Private Thornber was kicked in the knee by a horse.  By the time the ship docked, the swelling had subsided and he was treated by a medical officer in West Sandling

The battalion arrived in Devonport, England May 15, 1915 and reunited with the Transport Section in the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent where the battalion continued training

Jun 2, 1915

Sentenced to 10 days Detention and forfeited 1 day’s pay for being absent

Jun 22, 1915

Sentenced to 72 hours Detention for misconduct

Jul 6, 1915

Medical Board at West Sandling notes

Ø  Determined that he is suffering from Tabes Dorsalis, a lingering infection from a previous Syphilis Infection.

Ø  Suffers from Chronic Synovitis of left knee from being kicked by a horse in April, 1915 

Ø  Board recommends he be returned to Canada for discharge with no pension

Aug 5, 1915

Reported to be absent

Aug 6, 1915

Reported for duty from being Absent Without Leave

Aug 17, 1915

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling and employed in the Officer’s Mess pending appearance before a Pension Board.  Permitted to wear civilian clothing

Oct 26, 1915

Appeared before Pension Board.  His pension was not granted and board recommended he be returned to Canada for discharge

Nov 19, 1915

Embarked the SS Corsican in Liverpool

Nov 29, 1915

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Quebec City, Quebec

Dec 4, 1915

Medical Board in Quebec City notes

Ø  Man suffers from Chronic Synovitis of left knee

Ø  Was kicked by a horse in April of 1915 while enroute to England from Canada

Ø  Has a history of Syphilis

Ø  Sways when standing with eyes closed

Ø  Disability is 1/8^th but should improve in 3 months

Dec 5, 1915

Admitted to the Elmhurst Convalescent Home in Kingston, Ontario with a diagnosis that reads Synovitis of left knee

Mar 5, 1916

Taken On Strength Military District No. 3 Casualty Company in Kingston while in hospital

Apr 3, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Apr 23, 1916

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “B”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 188 Stewart St., Kingston, Ontario

Entitled to King’s South Africa Medal and Queen’s South Africa Medal for service in the Boer War

Nov 10, 1917

Attested into the No. 3 Detachment Canadian Military Police in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Number 59981

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Ida Thornber, wife, 86 Victoria St., Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Previous military experience given as 4½ years in the 2^nd Regiment of Life Guards with service in South Africa, 1½ years in the South Africa Constabulary and the 21^st Battalion CEF

Ø   Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Attested with the rank of Sergeant

He lied about his age and gave his birth date as June 28, 1881

Mar 5, 1918

Admitted to the St. Luke’s Hospital in Ottawa with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Mar 9, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital

May 17, 1918

Transferred to the 3^rd Battalion Canadian Garrison Regiment in Kingston, Ontario and attached to the #3 Detachment, Canadian Military Police in Kingston

Jan 21, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Sergeant

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 394 Wellington St., Ottawa, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal was sent to him at the Military Hospital, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec

Jan 8, 1939

George Thornber died of Myocarditis and Arteriosclerosis while a patient of the St. Anne’s Hospital, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec and was buried in the Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal, Quebec