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Jul 12, 1888
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Born in Uxbridge, Ontario to Robert and Martha
Madeline (nee Stopps) Whitney
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Nov 29, 1916
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Married to Lillian May Levely in Kinmount,
Ontario
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Dec 1, 1916
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Attested into the 252nd Battalion CEF
in Fenelon Falls, Ontario
Ø Number 1087051
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs.
Lillian Whitney, wife, Burnt River, Ontario
o
There
is a note to also notify Robert Whitney, father, RR #3 Orillia, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as
Barber
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
The battalion trained in the Lindsay area
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Jun 2, 1917
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The battalion embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax,
Nova Scotia
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Jun 9, 1917
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Disembarked in Liverpool and proceeded to Seaford
where the entire battalion was absorbed into the 6th Reserve
Battalion to continue training
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Jun 14, 1917
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Joseph’s brother Robert Edwin Whitney, was killed
in action while serving with the 38th Battalion
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Aug 13, 1917
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Sentenced to 1 day Field Punishment #2 and
forfeited 2 day’s pay for being absent
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Oct 17, 1917
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Oct 18, 1917
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Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base
Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 508 reinforcements from
England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion
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Oct 22, 1917
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After leaving the base depot he joined the CC
Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France
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Jan 11, 1918
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After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private
Whitney joined the 21st Battalion in billets in Auchy au Bois,
France
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Apr 5, 1918
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The battalion was holding the front line east of
Agny, France with orders to hold “at all cost”. Private Whitney received shrapnel wounds to
his left arm and was evacuated to the number 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance)
for first aid before being transported to the No. 29 CCS (Casualty Clearing
Station) for further treatment
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Apr 6, 1918
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Transferred via the No. 16 AT (Ambulance Train)
and admitted to the No. 2 Australian General Hospital in Wimereux, France
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Apr 12, 1918
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Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in
Boulogne to continue his recovery
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Apr 29, 1918
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Transferred to the No. 10 Convalescent Depot in Ecault
to continue his recovery
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May 17, 1918
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Transferred to the No. 5 Rest Camp
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May 19, 1918
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Discharged from hospital care and reported to the
Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples and posted to “A” Company for those
recovering from wounds and illness
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May 22, 1918
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After leaving the base depot he joined the CC
Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France
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May 30, 1918
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After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private
Whitney rejoined the 21st Battalion in the front lines near
Neuville Vitasse, France
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Aug 12, 1918
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While the battalion was occupying the front line
south east of Rosieres, France, Joseph William Whitney received a shrapnel
wound to his head that fractured his skull.
He died while being transferred to the No. 47 CCS (Casualty Clearing
Station). He was buried in the Dury Hospital
Military Cemetery, Dury, France. When
the war ended, his body was exhumed and reburied in the Villers Bretonneux
Cemetery, Villers Bretonneux, France
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory
Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his
widow, Mrs. Lillian Whitney, Burnt River, Ontario
A second Memorial Cross was sent to his mother,
Mrs. Robert Whitney, RR #3, Orillia, Ontario
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Orillia Times August 22, 1918
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