Signalman Earl Crawford Wilson

Earl Crawford Wilson was born on 14 June 1905 at Glen Elm, Quebec. He had seven years of public schooling and worked as a carpenter and lineman. Wilson was married to Levina Marie Flynn, and in 1940 they had three daughters: Jean, Joan and Angela. He enlisted at Montreal on 5 August 1940 and served as a Signalman with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, including the Signals Training Centre at Kingston and 1st Corps Signals at Barriefield, where he was attached to 4th Division Signals. His entire 166 days of wartime service were in Canada. After several periods of illness and hospital treatment, Wilson was discharged at Barriefield on 17 January 1941 under Routine Order 37(5)(a), recorded as unlikely to become an efficient soldier due to recurring medical issues.  Wilson subsequently received a War Service Badge, and the War Medal 1939-45 was dispatched to him in 1949. Wilson was a musician, who stayed involved wit the military post-war, playing slide trombone in the Valleyfield Royal Canadian Artillery reserve.

He died at Huntingdon, Quebec, on 12 August 1984.

1905-06-14 — Born.
1940-08-05 — Enlisted and taken on strength as Signalman, Canadian Active Service Force.
1940-08-29 — Transferred to Signals Training Centre, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals.
1940-08-31 — Reported taken on strength with 1st Corps Signals and attached to 4th Division Signals, effective 30 Aug 1940.
1940-09-18 — Reported sick because glasses were required; referred for authority to have glasses supplied and refraction prescription recorded.
1940-10-02 — Admonished and forfeited two days' pay for absence without leave from 0630 28 Sep to 0630 30 Sep; punishment effective 1 Oct 1940.
1940-10-09 — Reported sick with rheumatism; referred for examination and report.
1940-10-19 — Attachment to 4th Division Signals for all purposes became effective; order reported 22 Oct 1940.
1940-10-28 — Reported sick with influenza and was referred for admission because military hospitals were full.
1940-10-29 — Admitted to Kingston General Hospital; later case history records treatment for bronchitis and arthritis affecting both ankles.
1940-11-19 — Discharged from Kingston General Hospital after treatment for bronchitis and arthritis of both ankles; returned to unit with three days light duty.
1940-11-20 — Referred for X-ray of both feet; films showed no intrinsic bone or joint disease and no evidence of arthritis or other lesion.
1940-12-21 — Admitted to Camp Hospital with pain in the feet and other musculoskeletal complaints. Morning Sick Report used 'neuritis'; the case-history diagnosis was acute foot strain.
1940-12-28 — Progress note stated that symptoms appeared to have been caused by foot strain from exercise; he had improved and the pains were gone.
1940-12-30 — Discharged from hospital improved and returned to unit; treatment consisted of rest and foot exercises.
1941-01-07 — Ordered examined in connection with proposed discharge under Routine Order 37(5)(a).
1941-01-14 — Medical Board found no present disability, recorded objective and subjective findings as nil, stated that no further treatment was required and that his former occupation could be resumed, but recommended discharge under Routine Order 37(5)(a).
1941-01-17 — Struck off strength and discharged under Routine Order 37(5)(a), recorded as unlikely to become an efficient soldier; conduct Good.
1942-12-19 — Acknowledged receipt of War Service Badge, Service Class No. 028260.
1948-08-12 — Department of Veterans Affairs authorized $37.41 in re-establishment credit for the purchase of furniture.
1949-10-21 — War Medal 1939-45 recorded as dispatched.
1954-03 — Corresponded with Veterans Affairs concerning ribbons, decorations and additional recognition for his service.
1984-08-12 — Died.