Sep 24, 1877

Born in Clarence Creek, Ontario to Robert and Christina (nee Robertson) Waterston

Jun 3, 1908

Married to Ethel Maude Roy

Mar 21, 1916

Attested into the 154^th Battalion CEF in Rockland, Ontario

Ø  Number 633866

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Robert A. Waterston, wife, Rockland, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as General Blacksmith

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

The battalion trained in the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

Oct 25, 1916

Embarked the SS Mauretania in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott to continue training

On arrival in Bramshott, he was admitted to the Military Hospital with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal  Disease Gonorrhea)

Nov 14, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital and forfeited 50¢ per day for his stay in hospital as punishment for becoming infected

Jan 28, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford to continue training

Apr 21, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st 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 21^st Battalion

May 11, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France as part of a draft of 34 reinforcements destined to join the 21^st Battalion

Jun 12, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Waterston joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Coupigny, France

Jul 22, 1917

Attached to the 4^th Canadian Machine Gun Corps for duty

Aug 15, 1917

During severe fighting at Hill 70, Private Waterston got separated from the his machine gun crew and was declared missing in action.

Aug 16, 1917

He found his way back to the allied lines and rejoined the machine gun corps

Aug 29, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from duty with the machine gun corps

Feb 5, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Feb 20, 1918

Following his leave he rejoined the battalion resting in the Alberta Camp, near Carency, France

Mar 4, 1918

Private Waterston received shrapnel wounds to his back and abdomen during a trench raid near the town of Lens, France and was evacuated first to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Mar 5, 1918

Private Robert Albert Waterston died of his wounds at the No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station and was buried in the nearby Barlin, Communal Cemetery, Barlin, France

Following the war, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his son, Robert R. Waterston, c/o his widow, Buckingham, Quebec

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. R. Waterston, at the same address

 Robert Waterston is honoured on the Buckingham, Quebec War Memorial
note the error with the wrong initial