Feb 23, 1890

Born in Orillia, Ontario to Allen and Frances (nee Martineau) Wells

Jan 4, 1916

Attested into the 122^nd Battalion in Huntsville, Ontario

Ø  Number 763147

Ø  Next of kin given as Allen Wells, father, Dwight, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Lumberman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Baptist

May 14, 1917

Declared to be absent at 8 am.

Jun 2, 1917

The battalion embarked for England and Private Wells was still absent and was posted to the No. 6 District Depot Casualty Company in Halifax for records purposes

It would appear that he changed his name to Richard Henry Harrington to avoid being arrested as a deserter

Dec 1, 1917

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at Kentville, Nova Scotia under the name Richard Henry Harrington

Mar 20, 1918

Conscripted into the 1^st Depot Battalion, NSR (Nova Scotia Regiment) under the MSA in Halifax, Nova Scotia under the assumed name of Richard Henry Harrington

Ø  Number 3181167

Ø  Next of kin given as Allen Wells, friend, Dwight, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Baptist

Ø  Posted to the 1^st Regimental Draft

He gave his birth year as 1889, not his actual birth year of 1890

Apr 7, 1918

Part of the 1^st Regimental Draft embarked the SS Metagama in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Apr 19, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and transferred to the 17^th Reserve Battalion.  The draft proceeded to the Segregation Camp, Frensham Pond, Bramshott to ensure there were no cases of Influenza in the group

May 29, 1918

Released from Segregation and joined the 17^th Reserve Battalion in Bramshott

Jun 12, 1918

Private Wells was officially declared to be a Deserter from the 122^nd Battalion with an effective date of June 12, 1917.  When he deserted, he changed his name to Richard Henry Harrington and was now in England with the 17^th Reserve Battalion

Sep 11, 1918

Transferred to the 85^th Battalion

Sep 13, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 85^th Battalion

Sep 16, 1918

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

Sep 19, 1918

While still at the reinforcement camp, and before he could join the 85^th Battalion at the front, he was transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 20, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Harrington joined the 21^st Battalion rear details near Le Brullé, France and was posted to “C” Company

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Canadian Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Sieburg

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

On arrival in England, he was attached to “P” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario by train

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 279898

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Kentville, Nova Scotia

Although he was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medals, there is no indication in his file that they were ever sent to him

Jan 21, 1960

Peter William Wells died in Dwight, Ontario and was buried in the Dwight Cemetery