May 9, 1898

Born in Croydon, England to Charles Vincent and Emily Mary (nee Morse) Watson

Feb 19, 1916

Attested into the 168^th Battalion in Ingersoll, Ontario

Ø  Number 675566

Ø  Next of kin given as Mr. Charles Vincent Watson, father, RR #1 Ostrander, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

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 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Shortly after the formation of the battalion, it moved to Seaford to train reinforcements for the front

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 85 reinforcements and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

May 21, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Watson joined the 21^st Battalion as part of a draft of 149 reinforcements and was posted to “B” Company.  The battalion was occupying the support trenches just west of Vimy Ridge

Nov 29, 1917

Attached to the 4^th Field Company, Canadian Engineers for duty

Dec 4, 1917

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Impetigo

Dec 5, 1917

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance

Dec 11, 1917

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance and rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in the Cellars Camp, near Neuville St. Vaast, France

Jan 4, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Jan 19, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Feb 19, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Oct 10, 1918

While the battalion was following close behind the 18^th Battalion on the advance on the Erclin River, just west of the town of Iwuy, France, Private Watson received shrapnel wounds to both legs and was evacuated to the No. 9 Canadian Field Ambulance where some shrapnel was removed before being transported to the No. 30 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Oct 13, 1918

Transferred via the No. 17 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 26 General Hospital in Etaples.  X-rays showed a fractured left knee cap and pieces of remaining shrapnel

Nov 8, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester

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

Mar 22, 1919

VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis) was added to the diagnosis

Mar 28, 1919

Transferred to the Etchinghill Hospital in Lyminge

May 29, 1919

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Kirkdale, Liverpool

Jun 30, 1919

Embarked the Hospital Ship Araguaya in Liverpool

Jul 11, 1919

Disembarked in Portland, Maine, USA and proceeded to London, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength No. 1 District Depot

Jul 13, 1919

Posted to the Western Ontario Military Hospital Section in London and granted leave until July 27, 1919

Aug 7, 1919

Xray shows healed fracture of left patella.  There is evidence of Osteoporosis throughout.  There is a piece of shrapnel in the upper left thigh soft tissue

Sep 9, 1919

Forfeited 3 days pay for being absent from September 6 until September 8, 1919

Oct 21, 1919

Medical Board in London notes

Ø  Man suffered shrapnel wounds to both legs in France

Ø  Left patella fracture plus scars in both thighs from wounds

Ø  Left knee weakness due to partial Ankylosis (stiffness)

Ø  Has pain in left leg when walking

Ø  Uses a walking stick

Ø  Board considers his condition is permanent, but may improve slightly

Ø  Supplied with a silk elastic stocking for comfort of left leg

Ø  Board recommends he is fit for light duty only

Oct 24, 1919

Discharged from hospital

Discharged from the CEF in London, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 263966

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Box 678 Ingersoll, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Box 678 Ingersoll, Ontario

Jan 14, 1922

His home address was changed to 11 Chester St., London, Ontario

Aug 7, 1977

Charles Vincent Watson died while a patient in the Westminster Hospital, London, Ontario and was buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in London