Jul 25, 1893

Born in Apsley, Ontario to William and Matilda (nee Daniels) Hales

Nov 20, 1917

Medical examination held under the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 in Peterborough, Ontario

Mar 6, 1918

Conscripted into the 1^st Depot Battalion, EOR (Eastern Ontario Regiment) under the MSA in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 3057154

Ø  Next of kin given as William Hales, father, Apsley, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Assigned to the 4^th Regimental Draft

Mar 8, 1918

Granted leave until April 6

Apr 6, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Apr 14, 1918

The 4^th Draft of the Eastern Ontario Regiment’s 1^st Depot Battalion boarded a train at Tete du Pont Barracks in Kingston bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia.  The draft consisted of 2 officers, 8 Sergeants and 192 Privates.

Apr 17, 1918

The draft embarked the SS Toloa in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Apr 28, 1918

Disembarked in England and the draft proceeded to Seaford where the men were absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Sep 4, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 5, 1918

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Sep 9,1918

After leaving the base depot, Private Hales joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France as part of a draft of 69 reinforcements destined to join the 2^nd Division at the front

Sep 12, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp Russell Hales joined the 21^st Battalion in Divisional Reserve west of the town of Cagnicourt, France as part of a draft of 24 reinforcements

Oct 11, 1918

During the battalion’s advance on the town of Avesnes le Sec, France, Private Hales received a shrapnel wound to his forehead and was given first aid at the Regimental Aid Post.  From here he was transported to the nearby field ambulance for emergency treatment.  This was followed by him being transported to a casualty clearing station

Oct 13, 1918

Transferred to the No. 26 General Hospital

Oct 14, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Ville de Liege

 
On arrival in England he was admitted to the Cambridge War Hospital in Aldershot

 
Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposed while in hospital

Nov 29, 1918

Transferred to the Bearwood Park Convalescent Hospital in Wokingham

Dec 6, 1918

Discharged from hospital and posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Dec 27, 1918

Attached to MD3 in Kinmel Park, Rhyl, pending his return to Canada

Jan 11, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton, England

Jan 17, 1919

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

Jan 20, 1919

Posted to the Casualty Company in Kingston

Jan 21, 1919

Granted leave with subsistence until February 3.  Address on leave Lakefield, Ontario

Feb 13, 1919

Medical exam at the Barriefield Camp, Kingston notes

Ø  A portion of the frontal bone of his forehead has been removed

Ø  X-Ray report shows a number of small metal fragments remain in his forehead

Ø  Patient complains of headaches, especially when exerting himself

Feb 18, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario as medically unfit.

 
Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Apsley, Ontario

Dec 12, 1928

Married to Adelaide Gertrude Tanner in the Anglican Rectory, Apsley, Ontario

Jan 25, 1931

His father, William Hales, passed away in Peterborough, Ontario

 
In the 1930s Russell Hales became involved in local politics and rose to the position of Reeve of Chandos Township in Peterborough County.  In 1935 he was elevated to the position of Warden of the County.  He is the first veteran of the Great War to hold this position.

Sep 13, 1940

Russell Leigh Hales passed away in Apsley, Ontario and was buried in the Union Cemetery there