Apr 18, 1898

Born in Hastings County, Ontario to Robert and Amelia (nee Black) Vader

Apr 3, 1916

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

Ø  Number 636996

Ø  Next of kin given as Robert Vader, father, Bancroft, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Posted to No. 14 Platoon, “D” Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Jun 14, 1916

Admitted to the Barriefield infirmary with a toothache and discharged the same day

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 and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Jan 19, 1917

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

Feb 22, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Vader joined the 21^st Battalion west of Vimy Ridge, France

Jun 8, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal

Aug 21, 1917

Proceeded on course of instruction

One would assume this was the machine gun course, as he was later posted to the Machine Gun Section

Aug 28, 1917

Rejoined the battalion resting in Villers au Bois, France from his course

Dec 14, 1917

Granted 14 days leave to England

Jan 1, 1918

Rejoined the battalion resting in Auchy au Bois, France from leave

Apr 29, 1918

During a trench raid on the enemy line at Neuville Vitasse, France, Lance Corporal Vader was among 18 men who were wounded, and 1.  He suffered a through and through bullet wound to his left arm that fractured the radius.  He was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 3 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station). 

Apr 30, 1918

Transferred via the No. 27 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 3 General Hospital in Le Treport, France where surgery was performed to repair damage and set the fractured radius

May 13, 1918

Transferred via the No. 15 Ambulance Train to the embarkation port and invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Carisbrook Castle

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the No. 4 Canadian General Hospital in Basingstoke

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

Jun 8, 1918

Placed in the isolation ward after being exposed to Spinal Meningitis

Jun 13, 1918

When all tests were negative, he was removed from the isolation ward

Aug 16, 1918

Transferred to the Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital in the Cooden Camp, Bexhill

Oct 4, 1918

Discharged from hospital and attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training and exercise in Seaford

Granted 12 days sick leave

Nov 27, 1918

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot and posted to the Depot Company in Witley

Nov 28, 1918

Medical exam in Witley notes

Ø  Complains of weakness in left arm with a limitation of movement

Ø  There is no loss of sensation

Ø  Surgical scar is slightly tender

Ø  Wrist is somewhat enlarged

Ø  Grip is weak

Ø  Disability is noted as 15%

Nov 30, 1918

Attached to Military District No. 3 Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

Dec 8, 1918

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

Dec 14, 1918

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

Dec 17, 1918

Granted leave until January 3, 1919

Jan 15, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Bancroft, Ontario

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

Oct 6, 1934

Married to Gertrude Jemima Peel in Peterborough, Ontario

He was employed with the Sun Life Insurance Company for a while as a salesman, but returned to the lumber industry, and was employed as a Lumbermill Manager for the Gilroy family.  In later years he was employed by the village of Bancroft, first as a Clerk, then a Justice of the Peace and then Clerk for the Police and Division Courts.

He was active in the Royal Canadian Legion and a founding member of Branch 181 in Bancroft

Oct 11, 1975

Balfour Frederick Vader died and was buried in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Bancroft, Ontario