Nursing Sister Bertha Evelyn McDonald,

Nursing Sister Bertha Evelyn McDonald served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps during WW1. She is not entitled to any military medal.

She was born on March 3rd, 1895 in Alexandria, Ontario

She was hospitalised at Laurentide Sanatorium in Sainte Agathe, Quebec from April 1^st to April 30^th, 1918.

Her enlistement papers show that she joined the CEF on September 18, 1918 in Montreal, Quebec.

Height: 5′ 4″             Weight:122 lbs.           Religion:Roman Catholic

Her address 112 Saint-Luc Street, Montreal, Quebec

She was declared medically unfit on January 6th, 1919 in Montreal, Quebec.

She was hospitalised for influenza at Montreal General Hospital in April 1919 following which was marked debility.

She was hospitalised at Sainte Anne de Bellevue Hospital from May 2^nd to June 2^nd, 1919.

She was hospitalised again at Sainte Anne de Bellevue Hospital from June 18^th to June 27^th, 1919.

She was declared medically unfit and demobilised on July 28^th, 1919.

Because she never left Canada, she did not receive any military medal for her service

In two places in her WW1 file it is stated that her military service began near May 1917 but her certificate of service date her appointing as nursing sister as September 18^th, 1918 but she was hospitalised in a military hospital before that date.

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Inscription on her gravestone

1917-1919 C.A.M.C. – SISTER – W.W.1

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BERTHA E. MACDONALD

DAUGHTER OF DR D. D. MACDONALD

AND

CATHERINE MACDONNELL SPOUSE OF CHARLES KERR

AND OF

SCOTT E. BIRD

BORN ALEXANDRIA MAY 3 1894

DIED – OTTAWA DEC 16 1973

MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE

BLESSED ARE THEY THAT PUT

THEIR TRUST IN HIM

PSALMS 2:12

Orderly – Gunner Alexander Day Martin

Orderly and Gunner Alexander Day Martin served in the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital during the Boers’ War and with the Canadian Field Artillery during World War One. He is entitled to the Queen South Africa Medal with clasps South Africa 1901, Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony, the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He was born on February 5^th 1875 in Kentish Town County, London, England

He served from 1894 until 1898 in the 22^nd Artillery Battery in United Kingdom.

He married Mary Cunningham Spenster on June 2^nd 1900 on 17 Victoria Road, Broad Lane Sottenham. The witnesses were Frank Martin and Ellen Cunningham

1901: United Kingdom census. He lived at 9 Vickon Road and his wife Mary was born in 1873.

He had one child, Kathleen Cland born on June 1^st, 1901

His mother in law Sarah Cunningham (nurse)

BOERS’ WAR:

Trade: fitter

Religion: Church of England       Status: married         Height: 5′ 3 ½ “

Eyes: grey      Hair: brown       Weight:140 lbs.

He enlisted in the Imperial Yeomanry in London on January 18^th, 1902 at 88 Victoria Street.

Prior to his enlistment he had service in the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital. He agreed to allot 2/5 of his pay to his wife

He was promoted to corporal on June 27^th

He served at home from January 18^th, 1902 to May 25th, 1902 for 129 days

in South Africa from May 26th, 1902 to November 18th, 1902 for 175 days

and back at home from November 19th, 1902 to November 25th, 1902 for 6 days

In the Regular Forces he was in the 38th battalion, 168th company

He was discharged at Aldershott on November 25^th at his own request. His attitude is described as indifferent

FIRST WORLD WAR

Trade: Wheeler         Address: Melbourne, Quebec

November 18^th, 1914: He enlisted in the 21^st Artillery Battery in Montreal, Quebec. He mentioned on his enlistment paper that he served 5 years with the A.S.C. and 6 years 11 months with the Hussars militia

May 26^th, 1915: He was drafted to go to France

June 16^th: He was taken on strength with the Ammunition Column

Hospitalized at the 21^st Division Rest Station for ingrowing toe nail on March 4^th to March 20^th, 1916.

September 20^th: Transferred to the Reserve Brigade for discharge

He returned to Canada on October 17^th and demobilized on October 3oth. No cause of discharge was mentionned on his papers but since he was 41 at the time, he was probably unfit for military duty

September 12^th, 1918: He enlisted a second time in the Canadian Military Police Corps No 4 Detachment in Montreal, Quebec. His address was 2426 20th avenue, Montreal, Quebec

January 1^st, 1919: He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

March 18^th: Discharged in Montreal. He gave his address 2426 20^th avenue, Montreal but according to the Montreal White Pages of 1920, he was mot living there anymore

He died on January 19th 1935

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Private Charles Manseau

Private Charles Manseau in the 22 nd battalion (Vandoos) in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces during WW1. He is entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His enlistment number was 2002099. He received two War Service Badge Army, his class A was numbered 96793 and his War Service Badge Army Class B was numbered 57407. Usually those who received the class B badge did not receive the class A badge, this was a clerical mistake.

He was born on April 27 th, 1890 in Montreal, Quebec

Religion: Roman Catholic       Civil status: Single         Trade: student

Eyes: Brown     Hair: Brown          Height: 5′ 8″

Father : Horace Manseau                 Mother : Ernestine Manseau

1901 Canadian Census : He is not listed in the census

1911 Canadian Census: He is listed as living in Nicolet Quebec and born in April of 1892, two years after what he mentionned on his WW1 enlistment paper. His father was a doctor

December 20th 1916: He enlisted in Montreal, Quebec in the 150th battalion. He said that he had some service with the 80th battalion before he enlisted

March 3rd, 1917 : He embarked on transport ship Canada and sails to England. They arrived on March 15th.

March 10th : he was promoted to the rank of acting sergeant

April 3rd : He was reverted to the rank of private

April 4th : he was struck of strength of the 150th battalion

February 27th, 1918 : He was transferred to the 22 nd battalion in France

The 22nd battalion relieved the 21st battalion the night of the June 3rd to the 4th. On the 5th they were bombarded by artillery, 1 killed, 11 wounded. Private Charles Manseau was one of the wounded soldiers.

June 5th : Gunshot wound to the thigh (left thigh amputated) left hand ( 4 of 5 fingers amputated). Although Private Charles Manseau joined the conflict very late and served for only 4 months in France, it does show some soldiers who served from start to end without any major injury, and some like Private Manseau were there only a few months and would carry the results of severe wounds for the rest of their life.

June 26 th : He was transferred to England on H.S Cambria

October 30 th : He sailed to Canada on ship Neuralia: Arrived on November 10 th.

November 13 th : He was admitted to Ste Anne Hospital in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec

December 7th : He was absent without a leave until December 9th.

October 16th, 1919 : He was discharge

April 27th, 1967 : He died in Sarasota hospital in Florida, U.S.A.

Victory Medal and British War medal

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Private Moise Morin

Private Moise Morin served in the Quebec Regiment. The Quebec Regiment was a depot battalion and those regiments never saw the front line. They were stationned in United Kingdom only and were used to supply men to battalion which were in France and fighting. It was a sort of waiting list before men were sent to France.

Each canadian province had its own depot battalion and on arrival in United Kingdom men were sent to their respective battalion depending the province where they enlisted in Canada.

Private Moise is entitled to the British war medal and his service number was 3380290.

He was born on September 2nd in St-Gabriel, Wolfe County, Quebec

Trade : Farmer

Religion : Roman Catholic    Status : Single     Height : 5′ 6″

Eyes : blue     Hair : brown     Weight : 155 lbs.

Name of his father : Hubert Morin     Address : Saint Alphonse de Stornoway

August 9^th, 1918 : He enlisted in Québec City, Québec. Moise Morin was a draftee.

July 28^th : He embarked on HMT Pannomia and arrived in England on August 8^th.

August 22^nd : He transferred to the 10^th Reserve Battalion

June 26^th, 1919 : He embarked on the SS Baltic in Liverpool, England. He arrived in Halifax on July 4^th.

July 6^th : He was demobilised

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Private Moise Morin British War Medal

click on the image to enlarge

Private Louis Mercier

Private Louis Mercier served in 18th battalion (Prescott) during the 1866 and 1870 Fenians Raid campaigns in Upper Canada. He is entitled to the Canada General Service Medal bars Fenian Raid 1866 and 1870

1866 : He served from June 2 nd to June 10 th at Vankleek Hill and Prescott awaiting the enemy. They never showed up.

1870 : He served at Cornwall for three weeks

1871 Canadian census taken in Prescott County – Hawkesbury West district, Ontario

He was born in Ontario in 1850 (age 21 years)

Trade : labourer           Religion: Roman Catholic

1881 Canadian census taken place Hull, Ottawa, Quebec

Louis Mercier (head) born in Ontario in 1851     Occupation Labourer

Annie Mercier (wife) born in Quebec in 1851     Religion Roman Catholic

Louis Mercier born in Ontario in 1872, age 9

Levi Mercier born in Ontario in 1874, age 7

Jules Mercier born in Ontario in 1878, age 3

Pauline Mercier born in Ontario on August of 1880

Also living with them was someone anmed Abraham Lederoot. He was born in Ontario in 1859 and was a labourer

1882 He is listed as a labourer in 1882 Hull’s Almanac

December 17st, 1900 : His canada General Service medal (number 8752) was sent to hom in Hawkesbury, Ontario

1901 census information taken in Hintonburgh (Village), Carleton, Ontario

Mercier Louis born on June 5 1850

Mercier Hannah born on June 5 1851

He is buried at the Garden of Souvenir cemetery in Gatineau, Quebec (section D)

The inscription on the gravestone read like this;

À la mémoire de Hormidas Chartrand décédé le 27 avril 1934 à l’age de 76 ans et 6 mois époux de Flore Normand décédé le 2 février 1939 à l’age de 78 ans.

Louis Mercier décédé le 10 février 1935 à l’age de 63 ans

Eveline Claude 1872 – 1964

Inscription on the side of the stone

Louis Mercier 1848 – 1918             Anna Thérien 1849 – 1937

Justine Huneault 1849 – 1918       Louis Claude 1835 – 1920

Yvonne Mercier 1900 – 1921         Emile Lavigne 1907 – 1964

Époux de Yvette Mercier 1910 – 2001

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Private Louis Mercier Canada General Service Medal clasps Fenian Raid 1866 and 1870

click on the image to enlarge

Picture of his gravestone in Souvenir’s cemetery, Gatineau Québec

click on the image to enlarge

Trooper William Henry Mercier

Trooper William Henry Mercier served in 74th Dublin company Imperial Yeomanry during the Boers War and during WW1 in United Kingdom. He is entitled to the Queen’s South Africa Medal (clasps Cape Colony Orange Free State Transvaal). His enlistment number was 32504.

Born on April 1880 in Callan, Kilkenny, Ireland

Name of his mother: Rachel Mercier

March 1st, 1901 : Enlisted in Dublin, Ireland in the 74th Company Imperial Yeomanry.

The 8th Battalion was composed of these companies ; 23rd (Lancashire) Company Co-sponsored by Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry Cavalry, and Lancashire Hussars, the 24th (Westmorland and Cumberland) Company, the 74th (Dublin) Company Transferred 1902 from 16th Battalion, the 77th (Manchester) Company Sponsored by Lancashire Hussars, 99th (Irish) Company and the 105th (Manchester) Company

Trade : none             Height : 5′ 10″

Weight : 159 lbs.        Eyes : brown

March 1st until March 21st : Served at home (21 days)

March 21st until August 31st, 1902 : Served in South Africa (1 year and 163 days)

August 11th : Sailed from South Africa on the Norham Castle (from the Cape Times Weekly)

August 31st : The Norham Castle arrived Southampton Saturday morning (from the London Times)

September 1st until September 7th : Served at home (7 days)

September 7th : Discharged

WW1 : William Henry Mercier probably served during WW1. One Medal Index Card does have his name but does not show service in France.

William Mercier Medal Index Card

1935 : Died last semester of the year. According to the age on his death certificate, I think he lied about his age on enlistment. He was probably born in 1870

There was another Mercier in the 74th Company, named Charles Mercier 32560 who died on May 8th, 1902. (probably his brother).

Queen’s South Africa Medal

Nursing Sister Marjorie Beatrice Moberly – UPDATED

Nursing Sister Marjorie Beatrice Moberly served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps during WW1. She served only in Canada and was born in 1895 Totnes District, Devon, United Kingdom.

She graduated from the Nursing School of the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Vernon, British-Columbia

Her parents were Major and Mrs. Guy Moberly of 1630 Haro street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Her father enlisted in the 7th battalion Canadian Expeditionary Forces in September 1914.

October 26th, 1918 : She died at the Coquitlam Military Hospital of influenza. Her funeral was held on October 30th and she was buried at the Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver, British Columbia

Excerpt from the Vancouver Daily Province  October 28, 1918 : The death occurred at the Coquitlam Military Hospital on Saturday of Nursing Sister Marjorie Beatrice Moberly, aged 23. She had applied for overseas’ service eighteen months ago, but was not called on until the influenza outbreak, when she immediately went to Coquitlam. After a few days she contracted the disease. She was the first military nurse to die from the epidemic. She was the daughter of Major Moberly of the Board of Pension Commissioners.

According to her death certificate she had been at the place of death (Coquitlam) only for 14 days and was previously living at  1630 Haro Street, Vancouver.

This is where her story gets bizarre. Nursing Sister Marjorie Beatrice Moberly is not commemorated as a casualty of war on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission nor the Canadian Book of Remembrance . She was a member of the Canadian Forces at the time of her death so, technically, she should be recognized to that effect, but she is not. I also tried to locate her in the Library and Archives Canada database of WW1 Canadian Soldiers and Nursing Sisters, again, I am unable to find her there. If her military file exist, it is somewhere else.

If you look at her grave site

Picture of Nursing Sister Marjorie Beatrice Moberly grave

She is buried amongst other soldiers who do have the official veteran gravestone but she does not. It’s like her official veteran gravestone was removed and replaced by a civilian stone flat on the ground.

Even if a nurses or soldiers did not served overseas and died of cause related to their military service in Canada, they were to be recognized as a casualty of war and receive the proper honours. They would get an official military grave stone, one next-of-kin would received the Memorial Plaque with the Memorial Scroll and the mother  of the deceased received the Memorial Cross. Some Canadian nurses died on active duty during WW1, served only in Canada and are recognized as official casualties of war.

The big question is “Was she officially in the Canadian Army” There are some traces of her in official Canadian Army documents. Her name can be found in some 23rd Infantry Brigade Canadian Army official documents.

One of the three official document where her name is mentionned

It is really bizarre why she is not recognized as an official casualty of war.

Five things could have happened ;

• 1 – Since she died very shortly after enlisting, her enlistment papers may not have not been processed in the system before she died and she was not considered officially enlisted in the Canadian Army.
• 2 – Her obituary mentioned that she got sick a few days after arriving, maybe she did report for duty already sick and was sent directly to the hospital as a patient and never did nursing work, meaning she did not serve one day in the Canadian Army.
• 3 – Maybe there was a qualifying period before you could be eligible to official honours if you died and did not served oversea. I am almost sure there wasn’t a such a period but I am not 100 % sure.
• 4 – Maybe she was enrolled not as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces (C.E.F.) but as part of the Canadian Reserve Forces, this is really a minor administrative difference but this means that technically she was not serving for the war effort as part of the C.E.F. and only members of the C.E.F. were entitled to the official honours.
• 5 – Maybe her file got lost and was never found again

I think that options 4 or 5 are more likely to be the explanation of that mystery.

Although an administrative detail prevented her from being commemorated officially by the Canadian Government, it is clear that she died of causes related to her military service.

UPDATED NOVEMBER 22nd 2012

The information was sent to me by a relative of Nursing Sister Moberly

“Her father was a professional soldier in the Indian Army (he spoke Persian and Pushtu) and seems to have emigrated via England to Canada sometime after resigning his Indian Army commission in 1897.     That is why he joined the Canadian forces (7th Canadian Infantry Battalion) in WW1.    His father and grandfather were also in the Indian Army.  

Not surprisingly, several of Marjorie’s female Moberly cousins were also nurses in WW1.    Marjorie has a particularly close link with one of them, although she will not have known of it – my grandfather’s sister was a Nurse in the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD), working in a convalescent hospital at Merton College, Oxford, but she too died in the flu epidemic in 1918 just 2 days before the end of WW1.  She is buried in Christ Church College, Oxford, where her father had been a professor“

Her official Death Card list her as a Nursing Sister but civilian, this add another twist to this mystery. Canadian Nursing Sisters were not civilian but according to the card she is. I wonder if she was not like a contractual nurse and not part of the military but rather working with the military.

Nursing Sister Beatrice Moberly Death Card

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Pictures and obituary sources - Great War Forum

November 11, 94 years after

Today November 11th, 94 years after the end of World War One, I post pictures of seven gravestones of men who served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps during that conflict. Men who went overseas and served in an armed conflict that change the face of the world. They were men who did not seek glory, nor money but just did their duties.

THEY ARE

Captain Charles Jefferson Wheaton

He enlisted on February 16th, 1916 in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2nd Field Ambulance depot. He was a physician. He was born in 1883 in New Brunswick, Canada.

He died on May 20th, 1963 and he is buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Lieutenant Lewis Ross Hurst

Enlisted a first time in the Canadian Army Medical Corps Depot in Toronto, Canada as a Private on February 25th, 1916. His service number was 527695. He enlisted a second time on December 19th, 1918 in Toronto, Canada with the 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance.

He was born January 6th, 1879 in Alliston Ontario. He died April 13th, 1948 and he is buried Beechwood cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Sergeant George Sharpe

He enlisted on February 15th, 1915 in Ottawa, Ontario in the Duchess of Connaught Hospital. He was already serving with the 2nd Field Ambulance in the Canadian Medical Corps.

He was born on March 25th, 1886 in Ottawa, Ontario. He died August 18th, 1973 and he is buried at the Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Private Harry William Jones

He enlisted the first on November 16th, 1914 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and served in the 1st canadian Field Ambulance. His service number was 50059. He enlisted a second time on May 26th, 1919 in Ottawa, Ontario. He had some previous military service in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery from 1909 to 1912.

He was born on January 12th, 1881 in Dunville, Quebec. He died on December 21st, 1964 and he is buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Private George Forsythe Warren

He enlisted for the first time on April 2nd, 1918. He stated 7 years of service with the Permanent Army Medical Corps. He enlisted a second time on December 31st, 1919. His trade on enlistment was a butler and he gave his address as the Royal Military College in Kingston.

He was born on November 13th 1888 in Bristol England. He died on January 22nd, 1970 and he is buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Private William J Mitchell

He enlisted on April 6th, 1916 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in the 8th Canadian Stationary Hospital and he attested serving 1 year in the Duke of Cornwall Rifles before his enlistment.

He was born on October 10th 1888 in Ottawa, Ontario. He died on June 1st, 1939 and he is buried at the Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Private George MaCauley

He enlisted the first time on November 19th, 1915 in Shakespeare, Ontario in the 91st Battalion C.E.F (service number 189389). He enlisted a second time May 31 st 1917 in St-Thomas, Ontario  in the Canadian Army Medical Corps (service number 527021).

He was born on February 5th, 1873 in London England.  He died in 1945 and he is buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario

Nurse Gabrielle Morin

May 16th, 1940 : Graduated from Hopital Ste – Justine Nursing School in Montreal, Quebec

From the Montreal Lovell’s directory

- Not listed in the directory before 1929

- In 1929 her father arrived with her at the address 5940 De Lorimier

- May 16th, 1940 : Graduated as a nurse from the Ste-Justine Hospital in Montreal

- From 1941 until 1945 she is living at the 5940 De Lorimier avenue and listed as a graduated nurse

- Not listed in the directory in after 1946

September 23rd, 1950 : information from a website “Morin, Gabrielle, and Gordon Richardson are wed”

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Gabrielle Morin nursing school graduation pin Hôpital Ste – Justine Montréal

Obverse engraved : Mlle Gabrielle Morin 16 – 5 – 40

Rifleman Fred Carter Mason C.D.

Rifleman Fred Carter Mason served in the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada in the Canadian Army. He served in the United Nations mission in Cyprus. He is entitled to the United Nations Forces UNFICYP medal, the Canadian Centennial Medal and Canadian Decoration with clasp.

October 4th 1951 : Enlisted in the Halifax Rifles in the Armoured Regiment Reserve Force

August 28th 1952: Discharged

April 8th 1953: Enlisted a second time

December 16th: Taken on strength with the 2nd battalion Queen’s Own Rifles in Calgary

February 5th 1954 : Taken on strength with the 1st battalion Queen’s Own Rifles of Calgary

April 8th 1955 : Received the Good Conduct Badge

April 22nd : Qualified as an infantry driver

April 8th 1958 : Received his second Good Conduct Badge

October 5th 1960 : Embarked in Canada. Disembarked in Holland on October 14th

February 1st 1963 : Transferred to Germany

April 8th : Received his third Good Conduct Badge

November 27th : Embarked in Germany. Arrived in Canada on November 28th

March 1964 : Received his Canadian Decoration

April 3rd 1965 : Disembarked in Cyprus. July 1st : Awarded the United Nations medal for Cyprus (Qualifying time for the medal was three months of service in the Mission)

November 10th, 1967 : Awarded the Centennial Medal

March 1st 1968 : Promoted to sub corporal

1971 : The Queen’s Own Rifles regiment (Regular Forces) was disbanded and all personnel were transferred to Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry regiment

March 1974 : Received clasp to his Canadian Decoration

April 20th 1975 : Discharged with the rank of master-corporal

November 1st 1994 : Awarded the Special Service medal with clasp NATO

I found an information on an Internet forum on the Queen’s Own Rifles and Rifleman Mason was probably a clerk with the regiment at some point in time.

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Staff Nurse Hetty Elizabeth Milnes A.R.R.C.

Staff Nurse Hetty Elizabeth Milnes served during WW1 with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military nurses. She is entitled to the Royal Red Cross 2nd class, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Born on July 4th, 1879 in Mont Kerry, Montgomery, Wales

1881 United Kingdom census : Listed as living with her grand-mother, Mary Downes, on a 153 acres farm in Great Cloddia, Kerry, Montgomeryshire, Wales. Also living with her her aunt, Sarah Downes born in 1846, her uncle, Walter Downes born 1854 and her uncle, William born 1850. They also had 4 servants Richard Trow (born 1846), Samuel Tudor (born 1864), Daniel Edwards (born 1858) and Maria Jones (born 1867)

1901 United Kingdom census : She was an elementary school teacher and living in the school’s house in Kerry Montgomery county. Her father was James L. and he was a schoolmaster, Her mother’s name was Agnes. She had three sisters Dora E, Hilda A., Mildred B. and two brothers Alan D. and William M.

1911 United Kingdom census : Listed as living in St Pancras district in London

May 25th, 1915 : Enlisted with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military nurses. She had previously worked at the Royal Infirmary in Shrewbury.

Trade : nurse for a doctor                    status : single

February  : Posted at the 3rd Hospital in Western Cardiff until May 24th, 1916.

May 25th, 1917 : Posted at the 57th British General Hospital in Marseilles, France with the B.E.F.

July 28th : She cut her forehead and dislocated her major finger in her right hand when tripping over a cord from a tent and fell on the ground. She received a three weeks permission.

She left the 57th British General Hospital.

June 6th, 1918 : Permission until June 20th.

1919, July 31st : Awarded the Royal Red Cross Second Class (London Gazette). She was with the 1st  London General Hospital in Camberwell

End of June : Posted at the 47th General Hospital in Bonn, Germany until August 21st, 1919 when she left Germany.

September 6th : Arrived at the Special Surgical Hospital in Manchester.

November 12th : Demobilised at the Special Surgical Hospital in Manchester.

Address after demobilisation : Kerry Newroom, Montgomeryshire

Served with Territorial Force Nursing Service from February 27th, 1916 to November 18th, 1919.

September 3rd, 1922 : Promoted from the rank of Sister.

1930, November 14th, : Sailed on the Empress of Australia from South Hampton to New York City. Sailed back to United Kingdom on early April 1931

December 31st, 1934 : Retired after reaching the mandatory age of retirement, 55.

1968 : Died (April-May-June) in Basford, United Kingdom

Typical Royal Red Cross second class WW1 medals group with a Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service cape badge

click on the images to enlarge

Uniform worn by Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military nurses WW1 (note the cape badge worn on the right side of the cape)

Staff Serjeant William Mitchell

Staff-Serjeant William Mitchell served in the Medical Staff Corps. He is entitled to the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal . He never served in a military campaign making this medal is only entliment. His enlistment numbeer is 3179.

Born in Peterhead, Aberdeen in July-August 1846

Height : 5’6’’     Hair : brown      Eyes : brown            Trade : Farm servant

Enlisted on October 29th 1866 in Aberdeen Scotland in the 69th Regiment.

February 27th, 1868: Sent to Burma, India with the 93rd Foot Regiment (Sutherland Highlanders)

June 30th, 1869: Transferred to the 76th Foot Regiment while in India

December 4th, 1873: Re-engaged to complete his 21 years service

February 2nd 1876 : Received his Certificate of education 2nd class.

April 11th : Arrived back in England

October 1st : Transferred to the Army Hospital Corps

October 1st, 1877 : Promoted corporal

October 10th : Hospitalized in Canterbury

December 21st : Married Marryh Peirce in Canterbury

January 11th, 1878 : Hospitalized in Shornecliffe

March 1st, 1879 : Promoted sergeant

March 5th : Received his Certificate of Education 3rd class

December 2nd: Hospitalized in Dury

July 21st, 1880 : Promoted staff sergeant

February2nd, 1881 : Hospitalized in Chester

May 15th, 1882 : Hospitalized in Manchester

February 23rd : Hospitalized in Preston

August 1884 : Army Hospital Corps changed for the Army Medical Staff

February 1st, 1886 : Promoted 1st class Staff Sergeant

April 1st, 1886 : Received his Good conduct Long Service Medal

October 29th, 1887 : Discharged in Preston, Lancashire

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Sergeant Beverley Michael Mason C.D.

Sergeant Beverley Michael Mason served in the Logistic Branch of the Canadian Army. He was stationned  in Germany during the Cold War and in Iran in 1988 as part of an United Nations mission. He is entitled to the Special Service Medal (N.A.T.O. clasp), the United Nations Iran/Iraq medal and the Canadian Decoration.

January 15th 1969 : Enlisted in the Canadian Army.

December 1970: Posted at CFB Gagetown

June 26th, 1972: Posted at CFB Petawawa

February 7th, 1973: Promoted to Corporal

September 25th, 1975: Posted at Lahr, Germany (entitlement to his Special Service medal N.A.T.O. clasp)

June 28th 1976 : Posted at CFS Churchill, Manitoba

August 14, 1978 : Posted at CFB Calgary with the 1st Service battalion

December 31st : Promoted to Master-corporal

March 12th, 1980 : Posted at the National Defence Headquarter in Ottawa

March 29th : Left the army for the first time

April 9th, 1981 : Re-enlisted with the rank of corporal in St-John Newfoundland. Posted to Chilliwack. Qualified as a cook and crewman. In Canada in 1980-81 there was a big recession and jobs were scarce, he was probably not able to find a job as a civilian and got back in the army.

January 2nd, 1982 : Promoted to the rank of Master-Corporal

1982 : He received his Canadian Decoration

April 24th, 1985 : Promoted to the rank of Sergeant

August 23rd : Posted at CFB Petawawa

June 13th, 1986 : Posted at CFB Petawawa (location not retained)

August 10th, 1988 : The contingent left Petawawa for the United Nations Iran/Irak mission.

Mid-december : Troops are to back to Canada from Iran/Irak

December 1988 : Promoted to the rank of acting Warrant Officer

June 22nd, 1989 : Canadian Signals contingent received their medals in CFB Petawawa for the United Nations Iran/Iraq military observer group – UNIIMOG. He probably received his medal at this date since he was still in Petawawa.

August 15th : Posted at CFB Greenwood, Nova Scotia

May 5th, 1992 : Left the army

September 5, 1995 : Applied for the Special Service Medal (NATO bar)

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Logistic Branch cap badge and collar badges

Serjeant James Edward Maule – Updated

James Edward Maule served with the Royal Canadian Regiment during WW1 and in the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry post-WW1. He is entitled to the 1914-15 Star, the British War medal, the Victory medal, the 1937 Coronation Medal and the  Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Long Service. His service numbers are # 9790 and 477583

He was born on January 10^th, 1883 in Belfast Antrim Ireland

Moved from Ireland to England between 1883 and 1886

1891 United Kingdom census taken at 121 Wilder Street in St-Paul, Bristol

Father: James (mason) born in 1861                         Mother: Ellen born in 1863

Brother: Sydney born in 1886                                    Sister: Mary born in 1888

Brother: William born in 1889                                  Brother: Joseph A. born in 1891

1901 United Kingdom census : He was a plasterer. He was a boarder with the Budd family, the head of the family was (probably a co-worker) at 45 Battersea in Bristol, United Kingdom.

Later that year he enlisted in the Royal Scots

May 30^th 1914: He arrived in Halifax, Canada on the ship Carthagian and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Regiment

This picture of him was probably taken right after enlistment since he does have the rank of Private and he was a Corporal when he came back from France

Religion : Church of England        Status : married          Height : 5′ 7″

Eyes : blue                                         Hair : brown                Weight : 136 lbs

Trade : musician        Address :82 East Young street Halifax, Nova Scotia

September 6^th: He embarked on HMS Niobe in Quebec, Quebec. The ship arrived in Bermuda on the 14^th. The regiment was relieved in Bermuda in April 1915.

July 9^th and 19^th 1915 : He received typhoid inoculation.

August 2^nd : He enlisted in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the Canadian Expeditionary Forces to serve in Europe.

November 2^nd : He disembarked in Boulogne, France.

August 13^th, 1917 : He received a 10 days permission. It was extended to August 31st.

February 23^rd, 1918 : He was appointed Lance-Corporal.

October 5^th : He was appointed Corporal.

February 13^th, 1919 : He was in Bramshott, England

April 11^th : He sailed from England and arrived in Saint-John, New-Brunswick on April 25^th.

A letter was sent on July 22^nd, 1921 requesting his long service medal. His military service is

Royal Scots                                     From October 1^st, 1901 to November 3^rd, 1913

Royal Canadian Regiment           From June 1^st, 1914 to April 22^nd, 1919

Royal Canadian Regiment           From April 23^rd, 1919 to July 13^th, 1920

Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry     From July 14^th, 1920 to July 22^nd 1921

He transferred back to the Royal Canadian Regiment

October 7^th, 1924 : He was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

April 1930: 12044 Band Sgt JE Maule Identified in Band roll as a Clarinet player

January 18^th, 1937 : He was  recommended for re-enlistment at the end of his contract on July 13^th, 1937.

On a 1938 sailing list from Canada to Liverpool, Enlgand he is identified as a musician and his wife is Ethel Maule. His proposed address of residence is 20 Salisbury, Road, Maidstone, Kent

May 6^th: He sailed from Montreal on the SS Montcalm to South Hampton, UK. He was present at the King Coronation in London, England on May 12^th. He was stationed at Wolseley Barrack in London, Ontario

January 18^th, 1942 : He died in Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario from stomach cancer (carcinoma). He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in London, Ontario section A (veteran’s section) grave 73

Serjeant James Edward Maule WW1 medals (The Coronation medal is missing)

Picture of his gravestone Woodlawn Cemetery London, Ontario

Sergent Gordon Vivian Mordaunt

Sergent Gordon Vivian Mordaunt served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during WW2 and the Palestine campaign. He is entitled to the 1939-45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence & War Medals and the the General Service Medal 1918-62 clasp “Palestine 1945-48″, His enlistment number is 7373153

Born on August 16th 1917

Height 5′ 6″         Weight : 125 lbs.

Eyes : Brown     Hair : Brown       Religion : Church of England

Fall of 1939 : Married to Miss Margaret Winifred Burgess. He was an auxiliary fireman.

March 5th, 1940 : Enlisted in the R.A.M.C. at Wetley and joined the 8th British Field ambulance on August 18th

September : He switch from clerk to nursing orderly

October 23rd, 1941 : Admitted to 125th Convalescent Depot for pneumonia

June 5th, 1943 : Appointed Lance/corporal. Attended the course for junior NCO in August

March 13th, 1944 : Promoted to the rank of corporal

August 18th, 1945 : Transferred to the Palestine Force

October 30th : Embarked B.A.O.R.. Disembarked M.E. on November 5th.

February 22nd, 1946 : Appointed sergeant

June 9th: Discharged from the army and transferred to the Army Reserve

Before August 1946 worked as a clerk with Hillmor Building and decorating co. He was described as honest and trustworthy. He was living at 17 The Bayle, Folkestone, Kent and he lived there at least until 1973 where his name still appear at this address in the Canterbury phone book

1947-48 : He was a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps Association

April 4th, 1948 : His medals were sent to him at 17 The Bayle, Folkestone, Kent.

1975 : Married a second time to Anna Aspland (October-November-December) an a third time in 1993 a lady named Matcham

June 2003 : Died in Kent at the age of 85

If you know more information on this gentleman, please leave me message so I can add it to his small biography

Picture of Gordon Vivian Mordaunt (probably after his military service)