James Vance


May 31, 1899

Born in Ingersoll, Ontario to James Little and Mary (nee McMillan) Vance

 

Jan 17, 1916

Attested into the 168th Battalion CEF in Ingersoll, Ontario

Ø  Number 675282

Ø  Next of kin given as Mr. James Vance, father, Ingersoll, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Machinist

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

James Vance lied about his age, stating he had been born in 1898 rather than his actual birth year of 1899

The battalion initially trained in Camp Francis, near London, Ontario before moving to Camp Borden near Barrie to continue training

 

Oct 30, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

 

Nov 11, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, to continue training

 

Dec, 5, 1916

Transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

 

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling.  Shortly after the formation of the battalion, it moved to Seaford to train reinforcements for the front

 

Apr 21, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 22, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 3,000 reinforcements from England, and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Jun 5, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Vance joined the 21st Battalion resting in Coupigny, France and was posted to “B” Company

 

In July 1917, the 21st Battalion was headquartered in a convent in the town of
Bouvigny, France while the men rehearsed for the attack on Hill 70.
Next to that convent was a church and a number of men climbed into the
bell tower and carved their names on the walls there.  Below is Private Vance’s
name as he carved it.  Thank you to Patrice Machin for sharing that image



Aug 15, 1917

During the capture of Hill 70, near Lens, France, Private Vance received a shrapnel wound to his left wrist and was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 23 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Aug 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 2 Stationary Hospital in Abbeville, France

 

Sep 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 5 Convalescent Depot at Cayeux, France to continue his recovery

 

Oct 9, 1917

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

 

Oct 19, 1917

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

 

Dec 14, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Vance rejoined the 21st Battalion in the front line near Acheville, France

 

Jan 17, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

 

Jan 25, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

 

Feb 10, 1918

Rejoined the battalion in the support trench near Merricourt, France from leave

 

Feb 18, 1918

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

 

Feb 19, 1918

Transferred to the No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance

 

Feb 20, 1918

Transferred to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance

 

Mar 12, 1918

Transferred to the 13 Canadian Field Ambulance

 

Mar 22, 1918

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance and rejoined the battalion

 

Mar 28, 1918

After suffering a relapse of his Gonorrhea infection, he was admitted to the No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance and transported to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance.  He was then transported the same day to the casualty clearing station before being transferred to the No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital in Doullens, France. 

 

Mar 30, 1918

Transferred to the No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples

 

May 24, 1918

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

 

Jun 6, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

 

Jun 11, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Vance rejoined the 21st Battalion in the reserve trench near Mercatel, France

 

Oct 11, 1918

During the capture of Iwuy, France, Private Vance received a through and through bullet wound to his right chest that passed through his lung and fractured 1 rib.  He was evacuated to the No. 9 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported overnight and admitted to the casualty clearing station

 

Oct 12, 1918

Transferred via the No. 23 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 4 General Hospital in Camiers, France

 

Oct 20, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

 

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 1st Birmingham War Hospital in Rednal

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

 

Nov 19, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Buxton

 

Jan 15, 1919

Discharged from hospital and granted 10 days sick leave

Instructed to report to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot on completion of leave

 

Feb 18, 1919

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Mar 18, 1919

Admitted to the No. 14 Canadian General Hospital in Eastbourne with a diagnosis that reads DAH (Disordered Activity of the Heart) and Tubercle of the Lung

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

 

Mar 31, 1919

Transferred to the Canadian Special Hospital in Lenham

 

Apr 15, 1919

Embarked the Hospital Ship Araguaya in Liverpool

 

 

Apr 25, 1919

Disembarked in Portland, Maine, USA and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario and posted to the No. 2 District Depot

 

Apr 26, 1919

Admitted to the Spadina Military Hospital in Toronto with a diagnosis that reads Tuberculosis

 

Apr 28, 1919

Granted leave until May 12, 1919

 

May 12, 1919

Declared to be Absent Without Leave when he failed to return from leave.

 

May 14, 1919

Reported from leave and forfeited a total of 5 days pay for his absence

 

May 23, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario to the care of the SCR (Soldier Civil Re-establishment) in a Sanatorium

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 284800

Ø  Entitled to 2 Gold Wound Stripes

Ø  Proposes residence on discharge 445 Ingersoll Ave., Woodstock, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Grande Prairie, Alberta

Under the care of the Department of Soldier Civil Re-establishment, James Vance was admitted to the Central Alberta Sanatorium in Robertson (now part of Calgary), Alberta to receive treatment for his Tuberculosis

 

Sep 26, 1927

James Vance died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Glen Leslie, Alberta and was buried in the City of Grand Prairie Cemetery, Grande Prairie, Alberta.  His death was considered to be a result of his service at the front and a Memorial Cross, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his mother, Mrs. Mary Vance, Box 1007 Grande Prairie, Alberta

 
 

 


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