Aug 18, 1891

Born in Brighton, Ontario

Feb 25, 1915

Attested into the 39^th Battalion CEF in Belleville, Ontario

Ø  Number 412330

Ø  Next of kin given as Mr. RJ Black, friend, L’Amable, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 49^th Regiment, Hastings Rifles, Canadian Militia

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to “D” Company

The battalion trained in the Belleville, Ontario area

Jun 17, 1915

Embarked the SS Missanabie in Montreal, Quebec

Jul 3, 1915

Disembarked in Plymouth, England and proceeded to Shorncliffe and then on to Lydd to continue training

Sep 24, 1915

The 39^th Battalion moved to West Sandling for further training

Oct 18, 1915

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis

Oct 25, 1915

Transferred to the Military Hospital in Deal, Kent

Nov 27, 1915

Transferred to the Bear Wood Convalescent Hospital in Wokingham with a diagnosis that reads Bad Cold

Nov 29, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Dec 6, 1915

Admitted to the Military Hospital in Bulford with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Jan 1, 1916

Transferred to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe with a broken leg

Feb 19, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Feb 21, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 649 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Mar 12, 1916

After leaving the base depot he joined the 21^st Battalion resting in La Clytte, Belgium

Dec 18, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Dec 22, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Feb 14, 1917

Attached to the 4^th Brigade Training Battalion for duty as a Runner

Feb 25, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Mar 30, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from duty with the training battalion

Apr 4, 1917

Attached to the 4^th Brigade Headquarters for duty

Apr 19, 1917

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Gastralgia.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance.

Apr 26, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Aug 18, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Aug 30, 1917

Rejoined his unit from leave

Jun 27, 1918

Admitted to the No. 8 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Pneumonia.  He was transferred to the No. 43 Casualty Clearing Station the same day for treatment. 

Jun 28, 1918

Private James Wilson died a short time after arriving at the clearing station and was buried in the nearby St. Hilaire Cemetery Extension, Frevent, France.

Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his sister, Mrs. RJ Pollock, Box 158 Cochrane, Ontario

There was no Memorial Cross issued

James Wilson is honoured on the war memorial in Bancroft, Ontario

 2010

For the 7 nights leading up to November 11, 2010, the names of all Canadian soldiers killed during the war were projected onto the Belgian War Memorial in Ypres.  At the same time, the same names were being broadcast via the internet to schools across Belgium and Canada.  The image above shows the opening ceremonies at the Belgian War Memorial on November 4, 2010.