Oct 6, 1883

Born in Kingston, Ontario to John and Jane (nee McBride) Whitehead

Jun 20, 1904

Volunteered with the 14^th Regiment, Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles

Ø  Number 605

Ø  Posted to “E” Company

Ø  Shown as a member of the Bugle Band with the rank of Private

Ø  Address given as 24 John St., Kingston, Ontario

Aug 6, 1913

Married to Ethel Louise Murray in Barriefield, Ontario

Feb 8, 1915

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 60057 (temporary number 1231)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Ethel Whitehead, wife, 55 Lower Bagot St., Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Blacksmith

o   Later noted as Mechanic

Ø  Previous military experience given as Princess of Wales’ Own Rifle for 15 years

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to the Depot Company

o   Employed as a Drummer in the Bugle Band

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

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

Jul 21, 1915

Forfeited 1 day’s pay and restricted to half pay for 1 month for being absent

Aug 24, 1915

Forfeited 2 day’s pay for being absent

Aug 28, 1915

Posted to “D” Company

Sep 2, 1915

Posted to “A” Company

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Jan 20, 1916

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment No. 1 for being drunk and causing a disturbance in camp

Apr 25, 1916

Admitted to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Flat Feet. 

Apr 26, 1916

Transferred to the Division Rest Station at the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance and Chillblains was added to the diagnosis

Apr 27, 1916

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

May 1, 1916

Transferred to the Convalescent Depot in Etaples, France

May 6, 1916

Transferred to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France

May 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Thomas Whitehead rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in the “B” Camp in La Clytte, Belgium

Jul 20, 1916

Classified “TB” (Temporary Base) meaning he was temporarily unfit for combat duty and transferred to the Canadian Base Depot in Havre, France

Jul 27, 1916

Classified “PB” (Permanent Base) meaning he was permanently unfit for combat duty

Jul 30, 1916

Attached to the Canadian Corps Composite Company Headquarters in Boulogne, France for light duties

Dec 3, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

Dec 19, 1916

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment No. 1 for being drunk

Aug 22, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Canadian Area Employment Company in Bruay, France

Oct 10, 1917

Attached to the 5^th Canadian Area Employment Company in Camblain L’Abbe, France

Mar 10, 1918

Attached to the 2^nd Canadian Forest Party

May 23, 1918

Rejoined the 6^th Canadian Area Employment Company in Barlin, France

Jun 17, 1918

Classified B1 meaning he only fit for non combat duty with labour, forestry or railway units

Jul 25, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool

Oct 6, 1918

Transferred to the 4^th Canadian Infantry Works Company in Hendecourt, France

Nov 15, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal with pay

Jan 7, 1919

Transferred to the General Depot and proceeded to England.  On arrival in England, he was attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Jan 25, 1919

Ceased to be attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion and joined the General Depot in Witley

Feb 5, 1919

Transferred to the MD (Military District) No. 3 Wing in Kinmel Park, Rhyl, pending return to Canada

Feb 19, 1919

Embarked the SS Empress of Britain in Liverpool

Feb 25, 1919

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

Mar 12, 1919

Transferred to the COC (Canadian Ordnance Corps) in Kingston

Aug 17, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 278772

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 35 Lower Charles St., Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at RCOC (Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps) Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario

Thomas Whitehead went on to serve with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps in Ottawa until his retirement in 1943 with the rank of Warrant Officer 1^st Class

Jul 21, 1934

Wife Ethel, died of shock and hemorrhage due to an Ectopic Pregnancy in the Cottage Hospital in Pembroke, Ontario.  She was buried in the Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston, Ontario

Mar 17, 1938

Married to Lena Barnes in Sydenham, Ontario

Apr 3, 1955

Thomas Whitehead died in Kingston, Ontario