Private Leslie Ellis Dey

Leslie Ellis Dey was born in Montreal on 4 March 1918 and lived in Hemmingford before enlisting at Westmount on 2 August 1940. A truck driver with an interest in mechanics and diesel engineering, he served as a Private in the Canadian Forestry Corps. He trained in Canada, sailed overseas in February 1941 and disembarked at Gourock on 1 March. In Scotland he worked with forestry companies as a tractor and bulldozer operator and later as a driver mechanic. A falling pitprop injured his back during forestry work in March 1943. On 17 July 1943 he married Annabella Black at Banchory, and they had a daughter, Maureen. Dey returned to Canada in June 1945 and was discharged on demobilization at Montreal South on 27 July. His recorded campaign medals were the Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp and War Medal 1939–45. He planned to pursue diesel-mechanic training after service.

1918-03-04 — Born in Montreal, Quebec. [Montreal, Quebec]
1933 — Completed Grade VIII at Hemmingford High School; other records report Grade 9. [Hemmingford, Quebec]
1933 to 1939 — Worked on his father's farm. [Hemmingford, Quebec]
1938 to 1940 — Worked as truck and tractor driver for R. Van Castile; occupational forms give overlapping dates, including four years of truck driving. [Hemmingford, Quebec]
1938-10 to 1940-08 — Undertook a correspondence course in diesel engineering through Chicago Vocational School; left it incomplete on enlistment. [Hemmingford, Quebec]
1940-07-30 — Enlistment medical examination found him fit for Category A. Height 71 inches, weight 146 pounds; expanded chest approximately 34.5 inches and expansion approximately 4.5 inches. [Canadian Forestry Corps]
1940-08-02 — Enlisted and was taken on strength of No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps, as a Private; reported no previous military service. Executed a service will. [Westmount, Quebec]
1940-08-14 — Dental examination recorded neglected oral hygiene, required prophylaxis and several irreparable teeth; a partial upper denture was recommended. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1940-09-01 — Classified Driver, Class I; recorded on 10 September. The service summary gives 10 September as the qualification date. [Valcartier, Quebec]
1941-01-07 — Received dental scaling and gum treatment. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1941-01-16 — Classified Bulldozer Operator Class II and Tractor Class I. [Valcartier, Quebec]
1941-02-15 — Embarked at Halifax for overseas service and was struck off Canadian strength. [Halifax, Nova Scotia]
1941-02-16 — Taken on overseas strength; this administrative date precedes physical disembarkation. [Canadian Army Overseas]
1941-03-01 — Disembarked at Gourock and arrived at Ballogie with No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps. [Gourock and Ballogie, Scotland]
1941-03-03 — Awarded Group B tractor-driver trade pay, authorized on 23 July. Earlier 4 March entries were cancelled; another form records 8 March. [Ballogie, Scotland]
1941-03-27 to 1941-03-29 — Went on command to Turriff and returned to his company; one duplicate reading gives Crieff. [Turriff, Scotland]
1941-04-23 to 1941-04-27 — Granted landing leave; a duplicate service summary gives 29 April as the ending date. [United Kingdom]
1941-05-19 — Underwent dental re-examination. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1941-06-20 to 1941-07-15 — Received dental extractions and multiple fillings. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1941-07-28 to 1941-08-01 — Admitted to the medical reception depot for diarrhoea; discharged cured. [Ballogie, Scotland]
1941-08-06 to 1941-08-15 — Granted privilege leave with a free travel warrant; another form gives 13 August as the ending date. [United Kingdom]
1941-09 — A medical entry records an early skin condition, apparently scabies; wording remains uncertain. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1941-10-01 — Examined at the Royal Infirmary outpatient department; primary syphilis was diagnosed and immediate treatment recommended. [Aberdeen, Scotland]
1941-10-03 — Ceased drawing Group B trade pay. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1941-10-04 to 1941-10-08 — Treated at Gartloch Emergency Hospital for primary syphilis, then discharged fit for duty with continuing treatment. Hospital records give 4 October admission; casualty notifications give 5 October. [Gartcosh, Scotland]
1941-10-04 — Struck off strength of No. 2 Company to the Canadian Forestry Corps Reinforcement Section on hospitalization. [United Kingdom]
1941-10-04 to 1941-10-08 — A stoppage of pay was recorded during hospitalization; the regulation is indistinct and no disciplinary offence is stated. [United Kingdom]
1941-10-04 to 1941-11-29 — Completed the first course of arsenical and bismuth treatment; gum inflammation affected bismuth administration. [Scotland]
1941-10-05 — Taken on strength of the Canadian Forestry Corps Reinforcement Section from No. 2 Company. [United Kingdom]
1941-10-08 to 1941-10-09 — Temporarily attached to headquarters after hospital discharge. [Canadian Forestry Corps headquarters, United Kingdom]
1941-10-09 — Struck off Reinforcement Section strength on posting back to No. 2 Company; medical correspondence directed his immediate return to Ballogie. [Ballogie, Scotland]
1941-10-10 — Taken on strength of No. 2 Company from the Reinforcement Section. [Ballogie, Scotland]
1941-10-13 — Medical notification reported positive Wassermann and strongly positive Kahn reactions. [Gartcosh, Scotland]
1941-11-03 to 1941-11-21 — Received repeated dental treatment recorded as V.A. treatment, apparently Vincent's angina. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1941-11-04 — Resumed tractor-driver Group B trade pay. [Ballogie, Scotland]
1941-11-06 to 1941-11-13 — Granted privilege leave with warrant. [United Kingdom]
1941-11-18 to 1941-11-21 — Admitted to the medical reception depot for a cold and discharged cured. [Ballogie, Scotland]
1941-12-07 — Wassermann and Kahn blood tests were negative. [Scotland]
1941-12-17 — Medical review recorded no clinical evidence of syphilis and ordered a second treatment course beginning in February. [Scotland]
1941-12-29 to 1941-12-30 — Received further dental treatment for gum infection. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1942-02-01 to 1942-04-08 — Underwent a second arsenical and bismuth treatment course; bismuth was withheld or reduced because of gingivitis. [Scotland]
1942-02-09 to 1942-02-16 — Granted privilege leave. [United Kingdom]
1942-03 — Personnel selection assessment considered him suited to tank driving; noted mechanical aptitude, driving experience and interest in diesel engineering. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1942-04-08 to 1942-04-16 — Received further treatment for dental/gum infection. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1942-04-15 — Wassermann and Kahn tests were negative; a laboratory specimen received on 16 April was also reported negative. [Aberdeen, Scotland]
1942-05-04 — A personnel-selection annotation recommended transfer; no completed transfer to a tank unit is established. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1942-05-07 to 1942-05-14 — Granted privilege leave. [United Kingdom]
1942-05-15 — Medical officer recommended a third treatment course, reducing weekly bismuth dosage because of stomatitis; treatment could be given at his unit or Gordon Barracks. [Ballogie and Aberdeen, Scotland]
1942-05-19 to 1942-07-22 — Underwent a third arsenical and bismuth treatment course. [Scotland]
1942-06-22 — Scottish Command requested details of ongoing treatment and directed hospital attendance if treatment had lapsed. [Gartcosh, Scotland]
1942-07-29 — Wassermann and Kahn blood tests were negative. [Aberdeen, Scotland]
1942-08-03 to 1942-08-05 — Went on command to Gartloch for medical review and returned to duty. [Gartcosh, Scotland]
1942-08-06 to 1942-08-13 — Granted privilege leave. [United Kingdom]
1942-08-20 — Sustained a right-leg contusion; prescribed rest and excused duty. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1942-09-08 to 1942-11-10 — Underwent a fourth treatment course. [Scotland]
1942-09-09 — Authorized to wear a Skill-at-Arms Badge as Driver I/C, Class I; badge wording is partly indistinct. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1942-09-11 — Awarded his first good-conduct stripe/badge. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1942-10-24 to 1942-10-25 — Temporarily attached to No. 4 Company; the effective day is indistinct on one duplicate. [United Kingdom]
1942-11-13 to 1942-11-20 — Granted privilege leave; another statement begins the period on 12 November. [United Kingdom]
1942-11-17 — Wassermann and Kahn tests were negative; a six-week rest before a fifth treatment course was ordered. [Scotland]
1942-11-22 — Blood specimen received at City Hospital laboratory; Wassermann and Kahn tests were negative. [Aberdeen, Scotland]
1942-12-29 to 1943-03-02 — Underwent a fifth course of treatment; subsequent blood tests were negative. The detailed record continues monitoring through March 1945. [Scotland]
1943-01-01 — Granted three days' leave with money allowance and increased regimental/trade pay. [United Kingdom]
1943-01-14 — Granted two days' privilege leave with pay and ration allowance. [United Kingdom]
1943-02-17 — Occupational history recorded truck-driving experience, English proficiency, partly completed diesel-engineering studies and a preference for diesel engineering after service. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1943-03-01 — Assigned $5 monthly to his mother, Martha Dey. [Hemmingford, Quebec]
1943-03-05 — Blood specimen submitted to City Hospital laboratory; Wassermann and Kahn results were negative. [Aberdeen, Scotland]
1943-03-06 to 1943-03-14 — Granted nine days' privilege leave plus the recorded allowance. [United Kingdom]
1943-03-13 — One service form records permission to marry; the signed higher-authority approval was issued on 2 April. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1943-03-22 to 1943-03-27 — A falling pitprop struck his back between the shoulders while on forestry duty. Treated at the medical reception depot for upper-back contusion; initially reported recovered with no permanent disability. [Ballogie, Scotland]
1943-03-24 — Applied for permission to marry Annabella Black of 4 Burnett Road, Banchory; requested monthly pay retention toward her passage to Canada. [Banchory, Scotland]
1943-03-25 — Accident statement and commanding officer's report found the forestry injury occurred on duty without negligence or misconduct. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1943-03-29 — Company and district commanding officers recommended his proposed marriage. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1943-04-01 — Granted tradesman's rate as Driver I/C, Tractor, Group B; requalification was recorded in March and May service entries. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1943-04-02 — Higher authority granted permission to marry, stipulating that the wedding could not occur before 2 June. [Canadian Forestry Corps, United Kingdom]
1943-04-16 — Marriage permission published in company Part II Orders; a service entry also records privilege leave to marry. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1943-05-06 to 1943-05-14 — Privilege-leave extension recorded, including 48 hours. [United Kingdom]
1943-05-17 — Sent to 23 Field Ambulance; the service entry does not securely identify the reason. [United Kingdom]
1943-05-29 — Requalified as Driver I/C, Tractor (Forestry), and Driver I/C. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1943-06-22 — Medical review found him fit for duty; Wassermann and Kahn tests were negative and periodic monitoring was ordered. [Ballogie and Gartcosh, Scotland]
1943-07-17 — Married Annabella Black with military permission at Banchory. Wife became next of kin at 4 Burnett Road; her mother was Elsie Black, Mrs. J. Black. [Banchory, Scotland]
1943-07-27 — Wife's dependant-allowance application forwarded to the District Paymaster. [Banchory, Scotland]
1943-08-01 — Assigned $23 monthly to his wife at 4 Burnett Road, Banchory. [Banchory, Scotland]
1943-08-13 to 1943-08-16 — Received dental restorations, prophylaxis and periodontal treatment. [No. 2 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1943-09-17 — Granted seven days' privilege leave with railway allowance. [United Kingdom]
1943-09-25 — Blood tests at City Hospital were negative. [Aberdeen, Scotland]
1943-09-29 — Struck off strength of No. 2 Company to the Reinforcement Section; a duplicate form reads 27 September. [United Kingdom]
1943-09-30 — Taken on Reinforcement Section strength and attached to No. 4 Company for all purposes. Parallel pay records initially carry attachment to No. 2 Company. [United Kingdom]
1943-10-11 — Ceased the pay attachment to No. 2 Company carried in the pay record. [United Kingdom]
1943-10-12 — Pay attachment to No. 4 Company entered in the pay record. [United Kingdom]
1943-10-21 — Struck off Reinforcement Section strength to No. 24 Company and ceased the No. 4 Company attachment. [United Kingdom]
1943-10-22 — Taken on strength of No. 24 Company and temporarily attached to No. 4 Company; one duplicate gives the taken-on-strength date as 21 October. [United Kingdom]
1943-10-27 — Ceased attachment to No. 4 Company. [United Kingdom]
1943-11-20 to 1943-11-28 — Granted nine days' privilege leave with allowance; a duplicate contains a separate partly indistinct 30 November leave entry. [United Kingdom]
1943-12-22 to 1943-12-24 — Treated at the medical reception depot for an eye injury and discharged to duty. [Canadian Forestry Corps, United Kingdom]
1943-12-23 — Blood tests were negative; the laboratory address named No. 22 Company, Ballater, although service forms place him with No. 24 Company. [Ballater, Scotland]
1944 — A daughter, Maureen, was born at Banchory. Her birth date is redacted; service entries disagree on her second name and recording date. [Banchory, Scotland]
1944-01-15 — Awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp. A duplicate entry was read as an admission abbreviation; the clearer medal entry establishes the award. [United Kingdom]
1944-02-14 — Sustained a lacerated knee and placed on light duty. [Canadian Forestry Corps, United Kingdom]
1944-02-23 to 1944-03-03 — Admitted to the medical reception depot for an infected knee; discharge wording appears to indicate observation. [Canadian Forestry Corps, United Kingdom]
1944-03-25 to 1944-04-02 — Granted nine days' privilege leave with allowance. [United Kingdom]
1944-03-25 — Blood tests were negative; laboratory correspondence again named No. 22 Company, Ballater. [Ballater, Scotland]
1944-09-23 — Blood tests were negative; the laboratory report addressed his unit as No. 24 Company and the medical officer as No. 18 Company. [Kiltarlity, Scotland]
1944-10-07 to 1944-10-15 — Granted seven days' privilege leave plus 48 hours and travelling time. [United Kingdom]
1944-11-30 — Ceased Group B driver trade pay; another record carries a partly unclear pay stoppage dated 20 November. [No. 24 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1944-12-01 — Qualified as Driver Mechanic, Group C, and granted trade pay. [No. 24 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1944-12-14 — Struck off strength of No. 24 Company on posting to No. 18 Company, remaining attached to No. 24 Company. [United Kingdom]
1944-12-15 — Taken on strength of No. 18 Company from No. 24 Company; temporarily remained attached to No. 24 Company. [United Kingdom]
1944-12-27 — Ceased attachment to No. 24 Company. [United Kingdom]
1945-01-05 to 1945-01-14 — Granted privilege leave plus 48 hours and travelling time; a duplicate begins the period on 6 January. [United Kingdom]
1945-03-19 to 1945-03-22 — Blood specimen sent to Royal Northern Infirmary; Wassermann and Kahn tests were negative. [Kiltarlity and Inverness, Scotland]
1945-04-11 to 1945-04-16 — Treated at the medical reception depot for a rib injury; one casualty form gives 12 April as admission. Discharged to privilege leave. [Canadian Forestry Corps, United Kingdom]
1945-04-13 to 1945-04-22 — Granted seven days' leave with additional allowance/travelling time. [United Kingdom]
1945-04-26 — Reported continuing back pain. [Canadian Forestry Corps, United Kingdom]
1945-05-14 — Received dental restorations while recorded with No. 18 Company. [No. 18 Company, Canadian Forestry Corps]
1945-05-27 — Personnel selection described a capable, conscientious soldier who had driven all types of vehicles; recommended further diesel-engineering training. He had stopped bulldozer driving because of back trouble. [United Kingdom]
1945-06-12 — Struck off overseas strength and No. 18 Company during return-to-Canada processing. Exact physical embarkation/disembarkation dates and ports are not established. [United Kingdom]
1945-06-13 — Taken on strength of No. 4 District Depot from the Canadian Army Overseas; Driver Mechanic Group C pay continued. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-06-22 — Reported to No. 4 District Depot. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-06-23 to 1945-07-22 — Granted leave and ration allowance pending discharge. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-07-10 — Immigration Branch advised satisfactory settlement arrangements for Annabella Dey and child, destined for his mother's home in Hemmingford. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1945-07-12 — Medical board proceedings recorded no abnormality detected. [No. 4 District Depot, Quebec]
1945-07-25 — Discharge medical examination recorded painful back on heavy work but no spinal fracture, deformity or abnormality. Height 69.75 inches, weight 150 pounds; dental work and partial upper denture were required. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-07-26 — Medical board approved PULHEMS grades of 1 throughout and recommended Veterans Affairs referral concerning the old back injury; no further syphilis treatment was required. [No. 4 District Depot, Quebec]
1945-07-27 — Discharged as a Private on demobilization to return to civil life, after 4 years 360 days; intended residence Hemmingford. Received General Service War Service Badge 279602, $100 clothing allowance and 30 days' pay. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-07-27 — Rehabilitation counsellor recommended diesel-mechanic vocational training. Wife and daughter were expected in Canada; referred to Veterans Affairs in Montreal and placement services in Valleyfield. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-08-02 — National Defence notified Quebec health authorities and Veterans Affairs of prior syphilis treatment and negative follow-up findings after discharge. [Montreal, Quebec]
1945-09-01 — Director of Records returned his service will, noting continued civilian validity unless revoked. [Hemmingford, Quebec]
1945-09-12 — War service gratuity calculated at $1,128.20, with 1,821 qualifying days of service and 1,578 overseas days; re-establishment credit was $844.50. [Hemmingford, Quebec]
1946-05 — Repatriation notice records arrival of dependants in Canada, apparently 27 May; the handwritten day is unclear. [Canada]
1946-09-25 — Final $844.50 re-establishment credit payment authorized for furniture, payable jointly to Martha Dey and Leslie Dey. His address was 432 Rigaud Street, Apartment 9. [Montreal, Quebec]
1992-10-07 to 1992-10-13 — Veterans Affairs requested and obtained service verification for War Veterans Allowance purposes. [Canada]
1992-12-23 — Died in Calgary, according to the existing record's biographical notes; its structured death date gives 1982, which conflicts with the October 1992 allowance verification. [Calgary, Alberta]