Private Daniel George Elder

Daniel George Elder was born at Athelstan, Quebec, on 10 January 1920. A miller who worked in his father’s grist mill, he enlisted at Montreal South on 16 July 1941. He first served as a Gunner in the Royal Canadian Artillery, went overseas in September 1941, and later transferred through the Canadian Fusiliers to the 1st Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment. In Northwest Europe he served as a Private and stretcher bearer with C Company. During an attack on 18 February 1945, he remained with wounded Major R. H. Tye when headquarters withdrew and was reported missing. He was held at Stalag XI-B until liberation on 15 April. Pneumonia and malnutrition required prolonged treatment after his return to Britain, and he recovered at No. 17 Canadian General Hospital. He married Mary Cameron Dempster Field at Dundee in July 1945. Elder returned to Canada and was discharged on demobilization on 12 October 1945. He hoped to complete his schooling and study medicine to become a medical missionary. Existing biographical information records his death at Huntingdon on 13 October 1959.

1920-01-10 — Born at Athelstan. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1936 — Completed Grade 9 at Athelstan Intermediate School; other forms give Grade 10 or seven public-school and two high-school years. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1937 to 1941 — Worked as a mill helper/miller in his father George Elder's grist mill. One occupational form instead describes clerk work in his father's department store. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1941-07-14 — Recruit medical examination found him fit for Category A. Height 68.75 inches, weight 131 pounds, expanded chest 34.5 inches and expansion 3.5 inches; fair complexion and hair, brown eyes. [Canadian Army]
1941-07-16 — Attested for active service as a Gunner at No. 4 District Depot, associated with 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery. No previous military service reported. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1941-07-16 — Dental examination found good oral hygiene with prophylaxis required. Family declaration recorded both parents living and no dependants. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1941-07-23 — Posted from No. 4 District Depot to his unit at Petawawa. [Petawawa, Ontario]
1941-07-24 — Service summary begins his period with 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. [Petawawa, Ontario]
1941-08-02 — Posted to 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery for all purposes; later selection record identifies it as a battery of 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. [Petawawa, Ontario]
1941-08-08 — Medical category confirmed at Petawawa. [Petawawa, Ontario]
1941-08-14 to 1941-08-18 — Granted embarkation leave. [Canada]
1941-08-26 — Occupational history completed. [Canadian Army]
1941-08-29 to 1941-09-02 — Received dental restorations and prophylaxis. [1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery]
1941-09-18 — Embarked at Halifax for overseas service. The detailed movement form and later summary give 18 September; another form reads 9 September. [Halifax, Nova Scotia]
1941-09-19 — Taken on strength of the Canadian Army Overseas. Gratuity certificate gives 20 September and other summaries give 16/17 September. [Canadian Army Overseas]
1941-09-27 — Disembarked at Gourock; personnel selection summary begins British service on 26 September. [Gourock, Scotland]
1941-10-05 — Granted landing leave with free travel warrant. [Bordon, England]
1942-02-27 to 1942-03-10 — Granted privilege leave with free travel warrant; the narrative records return on 6 March. [Fleet, England]
1942-03-29 to 1942-04-05 — Attended and passed a first-aid course; personnel selection places the course at South Benfleet and gives an alternative 1–7 April period. [South Benfleet, England]
1942-04-09 — Personnel selection interview recorded Gunner classification, cooperative attitude and wish to remain with his unit. [2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, United Kingdom]
1942-06 to 1942-08 — Temporary attachment to 37 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Royal Artillery, recorded with conflicting dates: 20–27 July on one form and 10 June–apparently 21 August on another. [United Kingdom]
1942-06-10 to 1942-06-17 — Granted privilege leave. [United Kingdom]
1942-09-14 to 1942-09-24 — Granted compassionate leave with meal allowance. [United Kingdom]
1942-10-14 — Granted seven days' leave with ration allowance. [United Kingdom]
1942-12-12 to 1942-12-21 — Granted leave with meal allowance; a duplicate gives seven days from 18 December. [United Kingdom]
1942-12-22 to 1942-12-28 — Temporarily attached to 4th Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit; another form reads 1st CARU, 23–26 December. [United Kingdom]
1943-01-01 — Granted regimental rate of pay of $1.50 daily. [2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, United Kingdom]
1943-03-29 to 1943-04-07 — Granted privilege leave with meal allowance; duplicate describes seven days from 29 March. [United Kingdom]
1943-07-14 — Next-of-kin entry changed to mother Mrs. Ellen E. Elder of Athelstan, also named Nellie in family records. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1943-09-27 — Struck off strength of 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment to 3rd Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit. [United Kingdom]
1943-09-28 — Taken on strength of 3rd Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit. [United Kingdom]
1943-10-01 — Routine examination suggested a left inguinal hernia; a consultation did not initially demonstrate it. Nasal septal deviation was also noted. [No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, United Kingdom]
1943-10-04 — Left indirect inguinal hernia demonstrated on repeat examination; directed to No. 2 Canadian General Hospital for onward transfer. [3rd Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit, United Kingdom]
1943-10-05 — Admitted to No. 2 Canadian General Hospital for left inguinal hernia. [United Kingdom]
1943-10-07 — Transferred through No. 2 Canadian Medical Centre en route to No. 16 Canadian General Hospital. [United Kingdom]
1943-10-08 — Admitted to No. 16 Canadian General Hospital at Marston Green; duplicate medical-record readings vary on the transfer day and hospital number. [Marston Green, England]
1943-10-12 — Underwent left inguinal herniorrhaphy under spinal anaesthesia; postoperative course was uneventful. [No. 16 Canadian General Hospital, Marston Green, England]
1943-10-20 — Surgical clips removed during recovery. [No. 16 Canadian General Hospital, Marston Green, England]
1943-10-28 to 1943-10-30 — ENT consultation and sinus X-rays requested for longstanding right-sided nasal obstruction. [No. 16 Canadian General Hospital, Marston Green, England]
1943-11 — Sinus radiology described a possible polyp in the right antrum; other sinuses clear. [No. 16 Canadian General Hospital, England]
1943-11-02 — Transferred to Alton Convalescent Hospital after hernia surgery, with three weeks' convalescence recommended. [Alton, England]
1943-11-09 to 1943-11-10 — Examined for marked deviated nasal septum; submucous resection recommended at No. 8 Canadian General Hospital. [Alton and No. 8 Canadian General Hospital, England]
1943-11-19 — Directed to return to No. 8 Canadian General Hospital for nasal surgery, without returning to Alton afterward. [Alton, England]
1943-11-20 — Transferred from Alton and admitted to No. 8 Canadian General Hospital for nasal septal surgery. [United Kingdom]
1943-11-25 — Submucous resection of the nasal septum performed under local anaesthetic. [No. 8 Canadian General Hospital, United Kingdom]
1943-11-26 to 1943-11-27 — Nasal packing and splints removed; healing satisfactory. [No. 8 Canadian General Hospital, United Kingdom]
1943-12-03 — Discharged to duty after nasal surgery, with three days' light duty recommended. [3rd Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit, United Kingdom]
1943-12-06 — Received dental treatment; a sick report also records dermatitis. [3rd Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit, United Kingdom]
1943-12-29 — Granted nine days' privilege leave with allowance. [United Kingdom]
1944-01-15 — Awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp. [United Kingdom]
1944-03-11 — Struck off strength of 3rd Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit to 2nd Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit. [United Kingdom]
1944-03-12 — Taken on strength of 2nd Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit. [United Kingdom]
1944-03-22 to 1944-04-02 — Attached to No. 6 Canadian Section, GHQ 2nd Echelon, then ceased attachment. A duplicate has an uncertain reception-depot attachment entry with different dates. [United Kingdom]
1944-05-04 to 1944-05-09 — Attended CMHQ Course 79, Serial 12K, apparently sanitary-assistant training at the Army School of Hygiene. [United Kingdom]
1944-07-04 to 1944-09-02 — Attended CRU Course 13, Serial 3, at No. 1 CRU. Start was amended from 3 to 4 July and return from 22 August to 2 September. [United Kingdom]
1944-08-25 — Struck off strength of 2nd Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit to the Canadian Fusiliers. [United Kingdom]
1944-08-26 — Taken on strength of the Canadian Fusiliers; rank recorded as Fusilier. [United Kingdom]
1944-09-06 — An indistinct service entry records nine days' leave with allowance. [United Kingdom]
1944-10-05 — Struck off Canadian Fusiliers strength to X(4) List, Canadian Infantry Corps. [United Kingdom]
1944-10-09 — Embarked in the United Kingdom for France. A duplicate reading gives 5 October; the clearer form and theatre summary support 9/10 October travel. [United Kingdom]
1944-10-10 — Disembarked in France as a Private in the infantry reinforcement organization, 21 Army Group. [France]
1944-10-17 — Struck off X(4) List to the 1st Canadian Scottish Regiment. [Northwest Europe]
1944-10-18 — Taken on strength of the 1st Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment. Subsequently served as a stretcher bearer with C Company Headquarters. [Northwest Europe]
1945-01 — Pre-marital blood testing carried out; Kahn result negative on the report dated 18 January. [Canadian Army Overseas]
1945-02-18 — Last seen near map reference 972500 on the Calcar sheet, tending wounded Major R. H. Tye during C Company's attack and withdrawal. Refused to leave the wounded; reported missing and transferred to the casualty X-list. [Calcar area, Germany]
1945-02-19 — Captured according to repeated medical histories; missing status began 18 February. Held at Stalag XI-B with prisoner number 201578. Other medical summaries give variant capture dates and camp numerals. [Stalag XI-B, Hanover, Germany]
1945-02-28 — Mother Nellie Elder notified by telegram that he was missing in action. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1945-03-01 — Missing-in-action telegram delivered to his mother at 8 a.m. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1945-03-06 — Director of Records confirmed his missing status in a letter to his mother, explaining that capture remained possible. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1945-03-27 to 1945-04-18 — Personal effects inventoried during missing status: notebook, Post Office Savings Book and photographs. Service/pay books had remained with him. [1st Canadian Scottish Regiment, Northwest Europe]
1945-04-01 to 1945-04-08 — Developed a cold followed by right-sided chest pain while a prisoner; spent five days in the prison hospital before liberation. [Stalag XI-B, Germany]
1945-04-04 — Missing-soldier questionnaire documented that he was alive and unwounded when last seen tending wounded comrades on 18 February. [1st Canadian Scottish Regiment, Northwest Europe]
1945-04-15 — Liberated and treated by No. 14 British Light Field Ambulance for right lower-lobe pneumonia. Subsequently transferred to No. 84 British General Hospital. [Germany]
1945-04-16 to 1945-04-22 — Treated with M&B 693 for lobar pneumonia; field medical records give varying transfer/admission dates. [No. 14 British Light Field Ambulance, Germany]
1945-04-19 — Director of Records sent his mother the unit's account of his refusal to withdraw from the wounded company commander; capture was suspected but not yet confirmed. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1945-04-21 to 1945-04-26 — Treated at No. 84 British General Hospital with penicillin, then evacuated by air to the United Kingdom on 26 April; exact field-hospital admission date varies between records. [Germany and United Kingdom]
1945-04-26 — Recorded at St. Margaret's Hospital, Stratton, Swindon, with lobar pneumonia before transfer onward. [Swindon, England]
1945-04-27 — Reported safe in the United Kingdom as a liberated prisoner of war; taken off the POW list and admitted to No. 17 Canadian General Hospital with severe pneumonia and malnutrition. [Pinewood, England]
1945-04-30 — Mother notified of liberation and pneumonia; chest X-ray showed bilateral lower-lobe bronchopneumonia. [Athelstan, Quebec and Pinewood, England]
1945-05-01 — Sulfadiazine stopped after poor response; penicillin prescribed. [No. 17 Canadian General Hospital, Pinewood, England]
1945-05-04 — Notebook and photographs received by the casualty section from 2nd Echelon. [Canadian Army Overseas]
1945-05-09 — Pleural puncture removed 100 cc of fluid; culture showed no growth. Developed a small pleural effusion during recovery. [No. 17 Canadian General Hospital, Pinewood, England]
1945-05-11 — Penicillin discontinued. [No. 17 Canadian General Hospital, Pinewood, England]
1945-05-15 to 1945-05-18 — Sputum/pleural-fluid testing and tuberculosis patch test were negative; monitoring continued during pneumonia recovery. [No. 17 Canadian General Hospital, Pinewood, England]
1945-05-16 — Listed as a liberated prisoner of war. Occupational therapy prescribed; began making a felt monkey as diversion while limited to light work. [No. 17 Canadian General Hospital, Pinewood, England]
1945-05-23 — Improving and afebrile; permitted to sit up. X-ray showed only a few remaining strands of infiltration and right pleural thickening. [No. 17 Canadian General Hospital, Pinewood, England]
1945-06-06 to 1945-06-15 — Occupational-therapy notes recorded improving health, frequent visits to the department and continuing work on the unfinished felt monkey. [No. 17 Canadian General Hospital, Pinewood, England]
1945-06-11 — Chest X-ray showed marked clearing with slight residual right pleural thickening. [No. 17 Canadian General Hospital, Pinewood, England]
1945-06-16 — Hospital forwarded his marriage application, recommending immediate permission as a liberated prisoner of war. [No. 17 Canadian General Hospital, England]
1945-06-20 — Medical board recommended PULHEMS grades of 1 throughout. He had regained 33 pounds, reaching 147 pounds, and felt well though not yet at full strength. [No. 17 Canadian General Hospital, England]
1945-06-20 to 1945-06-22 — Marriage papers recommended and approved, with permission to marry on or after 21 June. [Canadian Army Overseas]
1945-06-22 — Discharged from No. 17 Canadian General Hospital to special POW privilege leave, instructed to report to No. 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot on 8 August. Address during leave was c/o James Field, 16 Linnfield Road, Dundee; immigration correspondence spells it Annfield Road. [Dundee, Scotland]
1945-06-22 to 1945-08-08 — Granted special privilege leave as a liberated prisoner of war. [Dundee, Scotland]
1945-06-29 — June medical-board findings approved by ADMS, Canadian Reinforcement Units. [United Kingdom]
1945-07-08 to 1945-07-16 — Absent without leave for eight days, ending with the service entry S/A. An entry declaring him a deserter was explicitly cancelled. [No. 1 Canadian Reception Depot, United Kingdom]
1945-07-09 — Canadian Military Headquarters forwarded his recovered Post Office Savings Book, having confirmed he was now safe. [United Kingdom]
1945-07-17 — Married Mary Cameron Dempster Field at Dundee according to existing CWVMP notes. A later service-summary margin appears to give 19 July. [Dundee, Scotland]
1945-08-08 — Taken on strength of No. 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot from Y3, No. 1 Canadian Reception Depot. A duplicate gives 7 August for reception-depot strength and other transfer dates. [United Kingdom]
1945-08-10 to 1945-09-09 — Granted 30 days' privilege leave with allowance in the United Kingdom in lieu of Canadian leave. [United Kingdom]
1945-09-24 — Struck off overseas and No. 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot strength for Canada; exact return sailing dates/ports are not established. [United Kingdom]
1945-09-25 — Taken on strength of No. 4 District Depot from the Canadian Army Overseas. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-10-01 — Reported to No. 4 District Depot. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-10-11 — Demobilization medical board recorded no present complaints, no abnormality detected and no treatment indicated; approved PULHEMS grades of 1 throughout. Weight 153 pounds. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-10-11 — Discharge dental assessment recorded outstanding dental treatment/prophylaxis requirements. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-10-12 — Discharged as a Private to civil life on demobilization, after 4 years 89 days. Intended residence Athelstan; received General Service War Service Badge 423864, $100 clothing allowance and 30 days' pay. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-10-12 — Rehabilitation counsellor recommended pre-matriculation education and university medicine toward his ambition to become a medical missionary; mill work was an alternative. [Montreal South, Quebec]
1945-10-24 — Dependants' allowance at discharge recorded as $37.20, with no unrecovered allowance or assigned-pay overpayment on this enquiry. [Canada]
1945-11-15 — Immigration Branch approved settlement arrangements for his wife Mary to join him in Athelstan; explicitly corrected the destination from Alberta. [Ottawa, Ontario and Athelstan, Quebec]
1945-12-19 to 1945-12-28 — War Service Gratuity Branch sought clarification of dependant-allowance and assigned-pay records; handwritten amounts were $37.20 allowance and $23 assigned pay. [Ottawa, Ontario]
1946-01-15 to 1946-01-18 — Gratuity calculated at $891.72, less $42.43 overpayment, leaving $849.29; re-establishment credit $698.50. Computation credited 1,550 total days and 1,266 overseas days, with two ineligible overseas days. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1946-05-09 to 1946-05-15 — Personal kit returned from overseas and receipt acknowledged; duplicate inventories/receipts give differing dates and contents. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1946-05-20 — Dependants arrived in Canada, according to the repatriation notice's partly indistinct handwritten date. [Canada]
1946-11-13 to 1946-11-16 — Further overseas belongings returned; he acknowledged receipt and thanked the records office, saying he had given up hope of seeing them again. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1946-11-14 — Pay Services sent a $12.22 adjustment for 16 days' ration allowance; the year is partly obscured. [Athelstan, Quebec]
1949-11-17 — Medal dispatch recorded for the 1939–45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp and War Medal 1939–45. [Canadian Army records]
1957-07-09 to 1957-08-02 — Applied for Army enrolment; Montreal recruiting-unit screening authorized enrolment in an open trade. No completed later enlistment or service period is established. [Montreal, Quebec]
1959-10-13 — Died at Huntingdon, according to existing CWVMP biographical information. [Huntingdon, Quebec]