Private Rosaire Laforme

Rosaire Laforme was born at Saint-Étienne-des-Grès, Quebec, on 24 June 1923. A Valleyfield labourer, he entered the Canadian Army under the National Resources Mobilization Act on 5 July 1943, service number D648042. He trained at Sherbrooke and Farnham, qualified as a driver-mechanic after courses at Woodstock and Hamilton, and served in Canada as a Private. While serving with Le Régiment de Châteauguay, he was seriously injured in a truck accident on 1 September 1944. Spinal and right-clavicle fractures required prolonged hospital and convalescent treatment at Saint John and Sussex, New Brunswick. Persistent spinal disability led to his medical discharge at Montreal South on 16 April 1945. His documented medal was the War Medal 1939–45. The existing memorial records his marriage to Jeannette Phenix, death at Salaberry-de-Valleyfield on 8 September 1978 and burial in Valleyfield Catholic Cemetery Field of Honour.

1923-06-24 — Born at Saint-Étienne-des-Grès, Quebec.
1933 (approximately) — His mother died when he was a child.
1939–1941 — Experienced unemployment before obtaining factory and labouring work; Quebec.
1941–1943 — Worked in paper, cotton and silk mills, with Defence Industries Limited as a labourer and truck helper, and in construction for Beauharnois Light & Power; Quebec; Valleyfield, Quebec.
1943-07-05 — Enrolled under the National Resources Mobilization Act as Private D648042 and taken on strength of No. 4 District Depot, B Wing. Had no previous military service; Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec.
1943-07-05 — French-language personnel-selection test gave M score 109, Group IV. Initial dental examination recorded fair oral hygiene and a need for prophylaxis; No. 4 District Depot, Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec.
1943-07-06 — Signed medical-history declaration, reporting bronchitis, heart disease and nasal catarrh; right-knee scar recorded; No. 4 District Depot, Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec.
1943-07-07 — Personnel-selection interview recommended Infantry service as a rifleman, with driver training. He could drive a car and wanted to train as a truck driver; Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec.
1943-07-08 — Executed his military will and signed family and occupational declarations. Single, with no children, common-law wife or dependants; his father was living and his mother deceased. Wanted to become a mechanic; No. 4 District Depot, Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec.
1943-07-15 — Struck off strength of No. 4 District Depot on transfer to No. 43 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre; Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec; Sherbrooke, Quebec.
1943-07-16–1943-09-16 — Taken on strength and attached for all purposes to No. 43 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre; completed basic training; Sherbrooke, Quebec.
1943-08-18–1943-09-08 — Received dental treatment including restorations to lower molars; Quebec.
1943-09-01 — Assigned $20 monthly pay to his sister Marie Claire Laforme at 118 rue Ellice, Valleyfield. The assignment was later cancelled from 1 June 1944; Valleyfield, Quebec.
1943-09-17 — Taken on strength of A-12 Canadian Infantry Training Centre after leaving Sherbrooke on 16 September; Farnham, Quebec.
1943-11-05 — Daily pay advanced to $1.40 while serving at A-12 Canadian Infantry Training Centre; Farnham, Quebec.
1943-12-02 — Personnel-selection and trade-training entry approved at A-12 Canadian Infantry Training Centre; Farnham, Quebec.
1943-12-04–1943-12-05 — Attached for all purposes to S-5 Canadian Driving and Maintenance School to attend Driver I.C. training; outgoing entry is effective 4 December and receiving entry 5 December; Farnham, Quebec; Woodstock, Ontario.
1943-12-06–1944-01-21 — Completed Driver I.C. course at S-5 Canadian Driving and Maintenance School, qualifying Class III; Woodstock, Ontario.
1943-12-31 — Granted five days' New Year's leave with pay and ration allowance; transport from Woodstock to Valleyfield was effective 31 December; Woodstock, Ontario; Valleyfield, Quebec.
1944-01-04 — Absent without leave from 0601 hours until approximately noon; forfeited one day's pay by an entry dated 5 January; S-5 Canadian Driving and Maintenance School, Woodstock, Ontario.
1944-01-05 — Daily pay advanced to $1.50; Canadian Army.
1944-01-22–1944-01-23 — Ceased attachment to S-5 on completion of driving course; taken on strength of A-12 Canadian Infantry Training Centre on 23 January; Woodstock, Ontario; Farnham, Quebec.
1944-02-02–1944-02-08 — Attached to S-8 Canadian Army Trades School for driver-mechanic training. Left Farnham on 3 February; arrival stamp at Hamilton is 8 February; Farnham, Quebec; Hamilton, Ontario.
1944-02-03–1944-04-26 — Completed the Army Trades School Driver Mechanics course, scoring 68%; recommended for Group C trade test; Hamilton, Ontario.
1944-04-10–1944-04-23 — Granted fourteen days' furlough with ration allowance while attending the Army Trades School; Hamilton, Ontario.
1944-04-26–1944-04-27 — Ceased attachment to Canadian Army Trades School after completion of course; returned to A-12 Canadian Infantry Training Centre on 27 April; Hamilton, Ontario; Farnham, Quebec.
1944-05-04 — Qualified by trade test as Driver Mechanic, Group C, at A-12 Canadian Infantry Training Centre; Farnham, Quebec.
1944-06-01 — Earlier $20 pay assignment to Marie Claire Laforme became non-effective. A proposed $10 assignment was cancelled, with no assigned pay recorded at discharge; Valleyfield, Quebec.
1944-08-01 — Next of kin amended to his father, Napoléon Laforme, 118 rue Ellice, Valleyfield; Farnham, Quebec; Valleyfield, Quebec.
1944-08-02 — Completed standard Infantry Corps training at A-12. Assessed as an efficient soldier suitable for operational Home Defence Canadian Army duties as a qualified driver-mechanic; PULHEMS recorded as 1111122; Farnham, Quebec.
1944-08-03 — Left A-12 for No. 2 Company, 1st Air Defence Battalion, under the outgoing posting order; Farnham, Quebec; Shelburne, Nova Scotia.
1944-08-04 — Taken on strength of No. 4 Company, 1st Air Defence Battalion, according to the receiving entry; Shelburne, Nova Scotia.
1944-08-09–1944-08-10 — Left Shelburne on transfer to Military District No. 7, with receiving entry dated 10 August; Shelburne, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-09-01 — While serving with Le Régiment de Châteauguay, injured in a truck accident and admitted by ambulance to St. James Military Hospital. Sustained compression fractures of T12 and L1 and a fracture of the right clavicle, with abrasions to the left arm and leg; Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-09-02 — Lancaster Hospital radiographs confirmed a middle-third right-clavicle fracture with sharp upward angulation; left-wrist films were negative; Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-09-07 — Lancaster Hospital spinal films identified compression fractures of the twelfth dorsal and first lumbar vertebrae; pelvic films were negative; Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-09-09 — A plaster-of-Paris body cast was applied for the spinal fractures; St. James Military Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-09-13 — Developed cramp-like abdominal pain and vomiting while in the cast. The cast was cut to relieve pressure on the abdomen and chest, after which he was more comfortable; St. James Military Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-09-19 — District headquarters submitted Court of Inquiry proceedings concerning the death of Private O. Breton and injuries to Laforme and Privates C. Bosse, L. Blanchard and M. Ahern; Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-09-21 — Lancaster Hospital right-clavicle films showed excellent position but only partial healing, with relaxation of the acromioclavicular articulation without displacement; Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-10-05–1944-10-07 — His father's next-of-kin address was changed from 118 rue Ellice to 49A rue Perron; the change is recorded on 5 and 7 October in separate copies; Valleyfield, Quebec.
1944-10-12 — Right-clavicle films showed satisfactory healing in good position, although union remained insecure; shoulder re-strapped; Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-10-21 — A cyst was removed from his right ear lobe; sutures were removed on 31 October; St. James Military Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-10-28 — Right-shoulder films showed a healing middle-third clavicle fracture with slight upward angulation; Lancaster Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-11-02–1944-11-03 — Body casing was removed, spine X-rayed, and a new plaster-of-Paris casing applied. Films showed healing compression fractures, with T12 markedly wedge-shaped; St. James Military Hospital and Lancaster Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-11-07–1944-11-17 — Mobilization increased from one hour up daily to longer periods, with leg exercises and no complaints during the earlier trials; St. James Military Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-11-25 — Spine radiographs showed progressing healing of marked T12 compression and damage to L1; Lancaster Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-11-29 — Routine chest X-ray showed increased basal lung markings but no evidence of characteristic disease; Lancaster Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-11-30–1944-12-02 — Body cast replaced on 30 November; because it had not set, it was replaced again on 2 December; St. James Military Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-12-01 — Taken on strength of No. 7 District Depot after transfer from Le Régiment de Châteauguay on 30 November, while remaining in hospital; Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-12-06–1944-12-11 — Allowed up again; cast reinforced and subsequently adjusted while comfortable; St. James Military Hospital, Saint John, New Brunswick.
1944-12-18 — Discharged improved from St. James Military Hospital after the prolonged fracture admission and attached for all purposes from No. 7 District Depot to No. 5 Convalescent/Conditioning Centre; Saint John, New Brunswick; Sussex, New Brunswick.
1944-12-21–1944-12-27 — Granted a 48-hour pass and five days' Christmas leave with ration allowance while at No. 5 Convalescent Centre; Sussex, New Brunswick.
1944-12-27–1945-01-10 — Absent without leave from 2359 hours on 27 December until 0930 hours on 10 January; No. 5 Convalescent Centre, Sussex, New Brunswick.
1945-01-11 — Awarded fourteen days confined to barracks and forfeiture of 28 days' pay for the absence. Fourteen additional days' pay were forfeited for the absence itself, giving 42 days total pay forfeiture; No. 5 Convalescent Centre, Sussex, New Brunswick.
1945-01-18 — Ceased attachment from No. 7 District Depot and taken on strength of No. 5 Convalescent Centre; Sussex, New Brunswick.
1945-01-29 — Final body cast removed; admitted to Sussex Military Hospital for sacrospinalis muscle atrophy, scoliosis and restricted spinal flexion. Treatment included physiotherapy and partial bed rest; Sussex, New Brunswick.
1945-01-31 — Post-cast assessment noted healed but malaligned vertebrae and scoliosis, without pain or tenderness; graduated back exercises prescribed; Sussex Military Hospital, Sussex, New Brunswick.
1945-02-07–1945-02-09 — Improved with massage and exercises; returned to No. 5 Convalescent Centre. Continued back exercises and very restricted activity were recommended, avoiding jumping and games that might injure his back; Sussex, New Brunswick.
1945-02-10 — Sussex Military Hospital radiographs showed healed compression injuries, chiefly L1 with angular deformity, slight rotation and partial L2 compression; right-clavicle fracture remained visible; Sussex, New Brunswick.
1945-03-13 — Referred for surgical assessment because back pain persisted, improvement was static and further time at the convalescent centre was considered unhelpful; No. 5 Convalescent Centre, Sussex, New Brunswick.
1945-03-27 — Surgical consultant found dorsal-lumbar kyphosis and gross regional impairment, diagnosed post-fracture T12/L1 disability, judged him unfit for duty and recommended a medical board; Sussex Military Hospital, Sussex, New Brunswick.
1945-03-28 — Medical board proceedings began, documenting back pain, difficulty walking or running and intermittent left-leg swelling. Discharge recommended for the old T12/L1 fractures; No. 5 Convalescent Centre, Sussex, New Brunswick.
1945-03-31 — Personnel-selection assessment recorded discharge from No. 5 Conditioning Centre and return to district depot for a medical board; Sussex, New Brunswick.
1945-04-03–1945-04-04 — Left No. 5 Convalescent Centre on 3 April and taken on strength of No. 4 District Depot on 4 April; Sussex, New Brunswick; Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec.
1945-04-09 — Discharge specialists confirmed old T12/L1 fractures. Right clavicle was healed without upper-limb disability; eye, ENT and internal examinations were essentially normal. Approved PULHEMS was 1551121 and referral to Veterans Affairs for supervision was recommended; No. 4 District Depot, Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec.
1945-04-11 — Medical board proceedings approved by Military District No. 4; Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec.
1945-04-12 — Rehabilitation appraisal noted strong interests in mechanics and electricity, sufficient schooling for vocational training and concern that the accident could leave lasting disability. Training recommendation deferred pending treatment; Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec.
1945-04-13 — Veterans Affairs interview requested continued fractured-spine treatment before seeking labouring work; vocational interests included radio technology. Dental treatment requirements were assessed; Longueuil, Quebec.
1945-04-16 — Medically discharged as Private from the Canadian Infantry Corps through No. 4 District Depot under R.O./CARO 1029(10), unable to meet required military physical standards. Intended residence was 49A rue Perron, Valleyfield; Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec; Valleyfield, Quebec.
1945-04-17 — Final pay certificate certified at Jacques Cartier Barracks: $18.82 final pay, $100 clothing allowance and $45 rehabilitation grant; Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec.
1945-04-24–1945-05-02 — District depot reported the discharge to Army Records on 24 April; Ottawa acknowledged receipt of the discharge documents on 2 May; Montreal South (Longueuil), Quebec; Ottawa, Ontario.
1945-04-30 — Service computation recorded 653 gross days, 42 non-qualifying days and 611 net qualifying days, with no overseas or Aleutian service.
1945-07-13 — Military will returned because he was no longer a member of the Army; correspondence addressed to 49A rue Perron; Valleyfield, Quebec.
1946-05-28 — Requested future cheques be sent to his new address, 75 rue des Érables; Valleyfield, Quebec.
1946-06-04–1946-07-02 — Army correspondence investigated his gratuity enquiry and confirmed NRMA service in Canada, without Aleutian or overseas service; Ottawa, Ontario.
1946-07-11–1946-07-15 — Army replies advised that no war-service gratuity was payable because his NRMA service had been neither overseas nor in the Aleutians; Ottawa, Ontario; Valleyfield, Quebec.
1961-04-11 — War Medal 1939–45 record bears the annotation “UNCLAIMED ISSUED APR 11 1961”; address given as 84 rue Édouard; Valleyfield, Quebec.
1978-09-08 — Died at Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Buried in Valleyfield Catholic Cemetery Field of Honour; Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec.
1978-11-20 — Veterans Affairs issued a death notification; that notice did not record a date or place of death.