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Jan 27, 1885
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Born in Berkshire,
England to Henry and Margaret (nee Chamberlain) Wiggins
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Mar 15, 1915
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Attested into the
21st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario
Ø
Number 60061
(temporary number 1286)
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Next of kin given
as Mrs. Henry Wiggins, Watlington, Oxfordshire, England
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Previous
occupation given as Lumber Man
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No previous
military experience given
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Religion given as
Church of England
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Posted to
“C” Company
The
battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with
headquarters in the Kingston Armouries
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS
Metagama in Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in
Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling
Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training
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Jun 4, 1915
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Appointed to the
rank of Lance Corporal
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Jul 23, 1915
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Promoted to the
rank of Corporal
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St.
Seiriol in Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in
Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer
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Nov 22, 1915
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Admitted to the
No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads
Influenza
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Nov 23, 1915
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Transferred to the
No. 8 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)
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Nov 25, 1915
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Transferred via
the No. 18 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 13 General
Hospital in Boulogne, France and the diagnosis was changed to read
Hyper Tonsillitis
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Dec 3, 1915
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Invalided to
England aboard the Hospital Ship Newhaven
On
arrival in England, he was admitted to the Queen’s Canadian
Military Hospital in Beachborough Park, Shorncliffe
Transferred
to the 39th Reserve Battalion for pay purposes
while in hospital
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Dec 13, 1915
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Transferred to the
Westcliffe Eye and Ear Canadian Hospital in Folkestone where his
tonsils were removed
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Dec 22, 1915
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Discharged from
hospital and reported to the 39th Reserve
Battalion in West Sandling
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Feb 3, 1916
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Transferred to the
21st Battalion
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Feb 5, 1916
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Arrived at the
Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On
Strength the 21st Battalion
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Feb 7, 1916
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After leaving the
base depot, John Wiggins rejoined the 21st
Battalion in the front line near Voormezeele, Belgium
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Apr 20, 1916
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Promoted to the
rank of Sergeant
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Jul 3, 1916
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Proceeded on
Vickers Gun Course
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Jul 9, 1916
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Rejoined the
battalion from Vickers Gun Course
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Oct 28, 1916
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Granted a
Commission with the rank of Temporary Lieutenant per AG British Army in
Field A-18543 28-10-16
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Nov 2, 1916
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Granted a
Commission with the rank of Lieutenant per London Gazette No. 29867,
December 15, 1916
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Nov 5, 1916
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Proceeded on
Division Gas Course
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Nov 10, 1916
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Rejoined the
battalion in Bully Grenay, France
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Nov 19, 1916
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Granted 10 days
leave
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Nov 28, 1916
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Rejoined the
battalion in Calonne, France from leave
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Jan 5, 1917
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Treated at the No.
11 Canadian Field Ambulance for a slight shrapnel wound to his cheek
and released the same day to rejoin the battalion
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Feb 26, 1917
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Appointed to the
rank of Temporary Captain took command of “A”
Company
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May 10, 1917
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While in the front
line at Vimy Ridge, France, Capt Wiggins received a shrapnel wound to
his face and was admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance
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May 11, 1917
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Discharged to duty
from the field ambulance after his wounds were dressed
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Jul 14, 1917
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Granted 10 days
leave
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Jul 26, 1917
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Rejoined the
battalion at Fosse 10, France from leave
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Sep 10, 1917
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Granted 3 days
leave
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Nov 17, 1917
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Granted 14 days
leave
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Dec 4, 1917
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Rejoined the
battalion in the Suburban Camp near Villers au Bois, France from leave
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May 2, 1918
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Proceeded to the 3rd
Army Rest Camp
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May 26, 1918
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Rejoined the
battalion at the front near Neuville Vitasse, France
He
served for a period of time as the 21st
Battalion’s Adjutant
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Jul 14, 1918
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Granted 14 days
leave
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Jul 30, 1918
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Rejoined the
battalion in billets in Fluy, France from leave
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Sep 16, 1918
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Attached to the
CFC (Canadian Forestry Corps) Headquarters pending transfer and
reverted to the rank of Lieutenant
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Sep 27, 1918
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Proceeded to
England on transfer to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot and
attached to the Canadian Forestry Corps Depot in Sunningdale
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Sep 28, 1918
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To be Temporary
Captain per London Gazette No. 31033
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Oct 1, 1918
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Transferred to No.
131 Company, District No. 52 Canadian Forestry Corps in Carlisle
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Mar 11, 1919
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Transferred to 139
Company, Forestry Corps in Carlisle
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Apr 2, 1919
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Transferred to the
Canadian Forestry Corps Depot in Sunningdale
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May 7, 1919
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Attached to
Military District No. 3 in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada
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May 11, 1919
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Embarked the SS
Saturnia in Glasgow, Scotland
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May 22, 1919
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Disembarked in
Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario
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May 23, 1919
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Discharged from
the CEF in Kingston, Ontario
Ø
Rank on discharge
Captain
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Entitled to War
Service Badge Class “A”
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Proposed residence
on discharge Midland, Ontario
Following
his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals
were sent to him at Midland, Ontario
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Aug 14, 1920
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Married to Bertha
Ann Preston in Toronto, Ontario
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From the summer edition of The Communiqué
the post war newsletter of the 21st Battalion
Association
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