Craftsman Raymond John Wattie

Raymond John Wattie was born at Huntingdon on 29 July 1913, the son of Charles and Mabel Wattie. He came from a family of seven children and attended an English rural school. After twelve years of farm work, he became a cloth inspector at Leach Textile in Huntingdon. He married Florence Forget in October 1940. He enlisted in the Canadian Army at Montreal South on 1 September 1942, service number D-166442, as a Private in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps. He trained at Huntingdon, Calgary and Barriefield and qualified as a driver. He joined No. 2 Army Tank Troops Workshop in June 1943 and sailed to Britain that month. He took further driving, waterproofing and mechanic courses, transferred to the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in May 1944, and landed in France on 17 June 1944. On 2 December 1944 he qualified as a Driver Mechanic, Group C, and became a Craftsman. In February 1945 he suffered a minor chest injury while doing recovery work on a breakdown truck; X-rays found no rib fracture. He transferred to 3 Canadian Recovery Company in July 1945. He returned to Canada late that year and was discharged at Montreal South on 1 February 1946 on normal demobilization. His awards were the 1939–45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp and War Medal 1939–45. He planned to return to his cloth-inspection job, while his military training also qualified him for related vehicle-service work. He and Florence lived at Huntingdon; later records give Fairview Road. In March 1947 his remaining re-establishment credit was authorized for household furniture. Wattie died on 25 March 1971 and was buried in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery at Huntingdon.

1913-07-29 — Born at Huntingdon; repeated attestation and service summaries give 1913, correcting existing CWVMP 1912; Huntingdon, Quebec.
1928 to 1940 — After English rural school, Grade VIII in release counselling, worked as a farm labourer in Quebec; earlier forms differ on schooling and years
1938 — Appendectomy, later abdominal scar recorded; Place not stated.
1940 to 1942 — Cloth inspector at Leach Textile, Huntingdon; two years in later counselling, one year in original occupational history. Desired eventual return to the job; Huntingdon, Quebec.
1940-10 — Married Florence; service personal record gives 4 October 1940, existing CWVMP notes 15 October. Wife identified as Florence Forget in existing record; Huntingdon, Quebec.
1942-08-24 — Pre-enlistment medical at Montreal: fit Category A, slightly flat flexible feet without complaint; 65.25 inches, 139 pounds, chest 36 expanded and 2-inch expansion, medium complexion, blue eyes, brown hair; Montreal, Quebec.
1942-09-01 — Enlisted as Private D-166442, Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, No. 4 District Depot B Wing; married, Roman Catholic, cloth inspector, no previous military service, R.R. No. 4 Huntingdon; Montreal South, Quebec.
1942-09-02 — Recruit assessment: English, very poor French, Grade 8, twelve years farming/two years cloth inspection; family of seven children, could drive cars/trucks/tractors, wanted driver-mechanic work; Montreal South, Quebec.
1942-09-03 — Family declaration and service will: wife Florence supported, no children, father deceased, mother Mabel living R.R.4 Huntingdon; Mutual Life insurance with premium arrangements; Huntingdon, Quebec; Montreal South, Quebec.
1942-09-10 — Taken on strength No. 41 Basic Training Centre, Huntingdon, after No. 4 DD departure 9 September; Huntingdon, Quebec.
1942-09-21 to 1942-10-23 — Seven weeks basic training; drill, gas, rifle, bayonet and field subjects; first aid required further training. General standard, efficiency and conduct good; No. 41 Basic Training Centre, Huntingdon, Quebec.
1942-10-21 — Dental extraction recorded during basic training; Huntingdon, Quebec.
1942-10-28 — Attached all purposes to A-16 Canadian Infantry Training Centre, Calgary, after departure 27 October. One ledger names A-21 as parent posting with A-16 attachment; Calgary, Alberta.
1942-11-17 to 1942-12-01 — Currie Barracks Military Hospital, acute follicular tonsillitis and bronchitis, cured; stated 31 hospital days conflicts with dates; Calgary, Alberta.
1942-12-05 to 1943-01-30 — Advanced training at A-16; eight weeks recorded, efficiency average/conduct good. Rifle/LMG 2nd class; anti-aircraft, grenades, fieldcraft and engineering subjects needed further training; Calgary, Alberta.
1942-12-08 — Allocation review at A-16 found satisfactory, no change; Calgary, Alberta.
1943-02-02 — Authorized to wear General Service Badge while in training; distinct from postwar War Service Badge numbered 726585; Canada.
1943-02-10 — Taken on strength A-21 Canadian Ordnance Corps Training Centre after A-16 departure 9 February; duplicate cessation 12 February; Barriefield, Ontario.
1943-02-20 — Reallocated from non-tradesman to Driver I/C and considered suitable; A-21 COCTC, Barriefield, Ontario.
1943-03-01 to 1943-04-03 — Driving course at A-21; Class III trade test passed 2 April, duplicate qualification dated 7 April; daily pay $1.50 from 1 March, basic training completed; Barriefield, Ontario.
1943-03-08 — Treated for pharyngitis on duty, uncertain medicine/duty disposition; A-21 COCTC, Barriefield, Ontario.
1943-04-07 to 1943-04-21 — Embarkation leave granted; Canada.
1943-04-25 to 1943-05-10 — Mumps involving both parotids, Barriefield Military Hospital; considered cured 8 May with 48 hours light duty/pass recommended, formal discharge 10 May; Barriefield, Ontario.
1943-05-13 to 1943-05-27 — Dental restoration work at training centre after mumps admission; Barriefield, Ontario.
1943-06-09 — Taken on strength No. 2 Army Tank Troops Workshop, Brockville; attached Trained Soldiers Company for rations/quarters and A-21 for pay. Earlier 27 April posting superseded by detailed June receiving entries; Brockville; Barriefield, Ontario.
1943-06-14 to 1943-06-15 — Proceeded on overseas duty 14 June, ceased Brockville rations/quarters attachment, ceased A-21 pay attachment 15 June; Brockville; Barriefield, Ontario.
1943-06-16 to 1943-06-24 — Embarked Canada 16 June, overseas strength 17 June, disembarked Britain 24 June with 2 Army Tank Troops Workshop. Gratuity certificates' January 1943 overseas start is inconsistent; Canada to United Kingdom.
1943-08-06 to 1943-08-13 — Privilege leave with ration allowance; United Kingdom.
1943-10-27 — Dental amalgam treatment recorded with 2 Canadian Tank Troops Workshop; United Kingdom.
1943-11-24 to 1943-12-03 — Privilege leave with money allowance; stated nine days differs inclusive date span; United Kingdom.
1944-02-20 to 1944-02-26 — Waterproofing instructor/inspector course; attached for pay to apparent 1 CERU, returned 26 February; United Kingdom.
1944-03-01 — Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp effective date in detailed record; United Kingdom.
1944-03-03 to 1944-04-05 — Apparent special driving course and school attachment, abbreviations unclear; return 5 April. Another copy records special-duty leave 31 March, and allowance entry gives uncertain 1–13 April interval; United Kingdom.
1944-04-14 to 1944-05-13 — Driver Mechanic AFV course, attached for pay to 1 CARU; other copy 1 CIRU and hospital annotation. Returned to unit 13 May; no hospital diagnosis/facility supplied; United Kingdom.
1944-05-15 — Transferred from Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps to Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; detailed effective date 15 May, another entry dated 25 May; 2 Canadian Tank Troops Workshop, United Kingdom.
1944-06-16 to 1944-06-17 — Embarked Britain 16 June and landed France 17 June with 2 Canadian Tank Troops Workshop, 21 Army Group; United Kingdom to France.
1944-09-01 — First Good Conduct Badge effective; recorded later in 1945, no rank promotion implied; 2 Canadian Tank Troops Workshop, northwest Europe.
1944-12-02 — Qualified Driver Mechanic M.V., Group C, remustered from Private to Craftsman and granted trade pay; 2 Canadian Tank Troops Workshop, northwest Europe.
1944-12-14 to 1944-12-22 — Next of kin/dependant allowance amended to wife Florence, styled Mrs. Raymond Wattie, Box 236 Huntingdon; reporting/order dates differ; Huntingdon, Quebec.
1945-02-02 to 1945-02-05 — Accidental on-duty right-chest contusion while fixing breakdown-truck chains, slipped onto plank about 0845; no blame/inquiry, minor injury. Right-rib X-ray 5 February found no fracture; No. 6 Canadian General Hospital, northwest Europe.
1945-05-21 to 1945-06-19 — Dental restoration/extraction, impression 7 June and insertion 19 June of partial upper denture; Northwest Europe.
1945-07-02 — Taken on strength 3 Canadian Recovery Company after 2 Tank Troops Workshop departure 1 July; faint summary gives 18 July, detailed receiving date controls; Northwest Europe.
1945-08-13 — Order records 1939–45 Star and France Germany Star; award effective dates not separately supplied; Northwest Europe.
1945-11-22 — Taken on strength 684 Canadian Detachment, MD 4, after 3 Recovery departure 21 November. Earlier draft entry 22 August differs and is retained as variant; Northwest Europe.
1945-11-27 — Embarked northwest Europe and disembarked Britain, attached all purposes No. 6 Canadian Repatriation Depot; Northwest Europe to United Kingdom.
1945-11-30 — Ten days privilege leave with meal/ration allowance; United Kingdom.
1945-12-20 to 1945-12-21 — Proceeded to embarkation port and overseas SOS 20 December; No. 4 DD Canada TOS 21 December. Actual port/ship/landing date not supplied, reported 29 December; United Kingdom to Canada; Montreal South, Quebec.
1945-12-29 to 1946-01-30 — Leave with ration allowance following report 29 December; Canada.
1946-01-16 to 1946-01-31 — Release-board papers initiated 16 January, examination/profile 31 January: moderate pes planus, fatigue after 2-mile march, no treatment required, Category A, PULHEMS L2; no medical-unfitness release; Montreal South, Quebec.
1946-01-31 — Release dental assessment: satisfactory partial upper denture, six fillings, lower partial denture and prophylaxis required; chest X-ray negative; Montreal South, Quebec.
1946-02-01 — Discharged Craftsman at No. 4 District Depot to civil life on normal demobilization; badge 726585 received, clothing $100 and 30 days pay; discharge address R.R.4 Box 236 Huntingdon; Montreal South, Quebec.
1946-02-01 — Release counselling: arranged return to Leach Textile cloth inspection; mechanic helper/checker/truck driver alternatives; referrals DVA Montreal and NES Valleyfield; Montreal South, Quebec.
1946-02-19 — Service will executed 3 September 1942 returned; it remained valid in civilian life unless revoked; R.R. No. 4, Box 236, Huntingdon, Quebec.
1946-02-20 — War Service Gratuity $748.13; 1,250 qualifying days and 1,069 overseas days computed from January 1943 rather than actual June 1943 movement. Six $124.68 instalments recorded, total $748.08. Dependants allowance $37.20 monthly; Huntingdon, Quebec.
1946-03-16 — Army forwarded Defence Medal application, entitlement published 1 February. Stars crossed on this specific application do not cancel stars independently verified in final award records; Montreal, Quebec; Ottawa, Ontario.
1946-11-04 to 1947-01-15 — Post-service dental relief: nine extractions 4 November, six 6 December, ten 15 January; full upper/lower acrylic dentures, total $105, satisfactory completion signed; Huntingdon, Quebec.
1947-03-21 — Final re-establishment credit $300.73 authorized for furniture, payable Electrical Home Ltd., 3 Dalhousie Street; veteran's address Fairview Road; Huntingdon, Quebec.
1949-09-27 to 1949-10-08 — Requested war-service medals, Huntingdon postmark apparently 27 September; medals dispatched 8 October 1949 per award card; Huntingdon, Quebec.
1971-03-25 — Died on this date and buried at Saint Joseph (Huntingdon) Catholic Cemetery, as recorded by CWVMP; Huntingdon, Quebec (burial).