1. Personal
Born: 1892-07-29 at Toronto, Ontario
NOK: Mother; Annie (Hay) Kay
Father; John Bryce Kay
NOK Address: 65 St George Street, Toronto
Address: not stated, (same as NOK)
Marital Status: single
Occupation: Civil Engineer
Previous military service: yes, 48th Highlanders of Canada Reg’t
2. Enlistment
Mobilized: 1914-08-12 with 48th Highlanders Reg’t at Toronto
Enlisted: 1914-09-20 at Valcartier, Quebec
Coy/Photo: D Coy // yes
Physical: 22 years 3 months, 5 feet 11.5 inches, chest 37+4, 160 lb
Description: dark complexion, brown eyes, light brown hair
Religion: Presbyterian
3. Service
1914-08-29: 48th Highlanders Reg’t proceeded from Long Branch Camp to Valcartier Camp by train
10-03/14: Sailed with the 15th Bn as part of the First Canadian Contingent aboard SS Megantic, from Quebec City to Devonport. Trained at Lark Hill, Salisbury Plain
1915-01-15: All Bn’s of the Cdn Contingent were ordered to reorganize on a four company basis.
02-05: Imperial War Establishment adopted for battalion manpower. Circa this date, transferred to Base Coy, 15th Bn & attached to 17th Bn, Cdn Training Brigade, Tidworth
05-02: Base Coy is recalled from Tidworth & departed for France from Folkestone
05-28: Joined 15th Bn at Vlamertinghe. Assigned to B Company
11-15: ILL, Bronchitis at Kortepyp Huts. Admitted to 1st Fd Amb
11-19: Now diagnosed with Influenza. Transferred to Officers DRS, Mont Noir.
12-02: Rejoined 15th Bn at Kortepyp Huts
12-03: Granted seven days’ leave to UK
12-09: ILL, Influenza & debility, while on leave. Reported to Caxton Hall, London. Found unfit for duty due illness. Granted three weeks’ convalescent leave.1916-01-03: Found fit for service by Medical Board at London
01-09: Rejoined 15th Bn in front line near Ypres
01-22 to 02-01: Attached to 1st Divisional School for instruction
03-11: Attached to 3rd Coy CMGC for duty
05-04/14: Granted leave to UK
11-01/12: Granted leave to UK
1917-01-15: Attached to the newly formed 13th Coy, CMGC & appointed OC at Flovingham. Promoted to Captain, ref LG 30541
01-19: Appointed A/Major while in command of 13th Coy. 13th Coy attached to the CMGC School for instruction.
02-16: 13th Coy inspected by Cdn Corps GOC Sir Julien Byng
02-22: 13th Coy ceased to be attached for instruction & moved to Barlin
04-09: For actions on this date at Vimy Ridge, is recommended for the MC. Awarded MiD, per Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatches, Ref LG 30107/5426
05-26: Awarded MC for actions at Vimy Ridge, ref RO 1236 Currie
06-03/15: Granted leave to UK
06-30: Ceased to be attached, now posted to 13th Coy CMGC
07-01: Attached to CMGC School, Camiers for instruction
07-26: Rejoined 13th Coy CMGC at Fosse Two, Lens. Award of MC announced, ref LG 30204 & 30280
11-23 to 12-09: Granted leave to UK
1918-02-22: Confirmed in rank as Major, ref LG 30677
03-19: 13th Coy is absorbed into 1st Bn CMGC as 2nd Coy
04-01: ILL, Pneumonia & swollen feet at Telegraph Hill. Admitted to 3rd Fd Amb (WDR)
04-02: Transferred to 8th CCS, on “Dangerously Ill” list
04-13: Transferred to 42nd CCS
04-25: Transferred to 20th GH
04-27: Invalided sick to England aboard HS Stad Antwerpen.Attached to CMGC GD, Seaford for administration. Admitted to Royal Free GH, Grey’s Inn Road, London
05-27: Removed from “Dangerously Ill” list & transferred to Matlock Baths CH, Bath
06-22: Medical Board at Bath found he continued to have problems with swollen feet & chest pains. Not fit for general service for four weeks. Classified Cat D.
06-29: Discharged to duty & attached to Officers Casualty Coy, TWS, Bexhill as Cat D
08-21: Classified Cat C1, fit for training, by Medical Board at Bexhill.
08-30: Ceased to be attached to TWS. Now posted to CMGC GD, Seaford, having been absent from 1st Bn CMGC for greater than four months.
10-24: Medical Board at Seaford found that for the past two months, had been taking part in active training with troops. His condition had greatly improved & he had no complaints. Classified Cat A. Ceased to be attached, now posted to CMGC GD, Seaford as an instructor
11-21: Ceased to be attached to CMGC GD as an instructor. TOS CMGC Corps Depot, Seaford & granted indefinite leave to Canada
11-23/28: RT Canada aboard SS Aquitania from Southampton to Halifax. TOS MD 2, Ottawa & assigned to Casualty Coy
12-05: Admitted to Fleming CH, Ottawa with Pneumonia & Influenza. Transferred to St Luke’s GH, Ottawa
12-15: Died of Influenza at St Luke’s GH, Ottawa.
Commemorated: First World War Book of Remembrance at pg 439
Royal Cdn Yacht Club Memorial, Toronto
St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church RoH, Toronto
University of Toronto, Soldiers Tower
4. Recognition
Medals: 1914-15 Star, BWM & VM. Memorial Cross to mother
Awards/Commendations: MC & MiD
5. Other Information
Brother-in-law of Major Eric Norman Armour & of Lt Angus William Roe Sinclair
Photo source: VAC Virtual Memorial, with further sources as noted there