Ernest Albert Geen

Ernest Albert Geen
21^st Battalion CEF

Seen above with a very good friend, Arthur Johnson, who signed up with him for the Great War. Their paths crossed many times over the following years. Ernest was promoted to Cpl to replace Arthur when he was wounded and invalided to England. Post war, they served together in the Argyll Light Infantry, and they stood up for each other when they married. See also the page for AL Johnson

This photo was taken at Arthur Johnson's wedding to the grand-daughter of Sir MacKenzie Bowell, Canada's 5th Prime Minister. The photo was taken on the grounds of the Bowell estate in Belleville Ontario. Ernest Geen can be seen to the right of the Bride and Groom.


Oct 18, 1886	Born at Belleville Ontario On Attestation Papers signed for the 21^st Battalion, he gave his birth date as Oct 18, 1884. On his Officer’s Declaration, as well as on the 1911 Census, his birth date is given as Oct 1886.
Oct 24, 1914	Shown on pay sheet for the 15^th Regiment Militia as a Provisional Lieutenant
Nov 7, 1914	Attestation Papers signed for the 21^st Battalion at Kingston Ontario Ø Number 59358 (temporary number 864) Ø Next of kin given as Rev Albert L Geen (father) of Belleville Ontario Ø Previous occupation given as Customs Clerk Ø Previous military experience given as 15^th Regiment Ø Religion given as Church of England Ø Assigned to “H” Company
Nov 10, 1914	Reduced in rank to Pte and removed from the 15^th Regimental pay sheet
Nov 11, 1914	TOS (Taken On Strength) 21^st Battalion as a Pte
Apr 9, 1915	Appointed to rank of Lance Corpl with pay
May 6, 1915	Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec
May 15, 1915	Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe Kent
Jul 1, 1915	Confirmed in rank of L/Cpl
Sep 14, 1915	Embarked the St Seiriol at Folkestone
Sep 15, 1915	Disembarked at Boulogne France
Feb 17, 1916	Promoted to rank of Cpl to replace Cpl Arthur Johnson who had been invalided to England with wounds
May 15, 1916	Granted 10 days leave
May 24, 1916	Granted a 1 day extension of leave in England
Jul 9, 1916	Appointed to rank of L/Sgt
Sep 6, 1916	SOS (Struck Off Strength) the 21^st Battalion on proceeding to CTD (Canadian Training Depot) in England pending being Commissioned
Sep 8, 1916	TOS the 39^th Reserve Battalion pending Commission
Nov 21, 1916	To be a Temp Lieutenant and posted to the General List. Attached to the 117^th Battalion at West Sandling Camp
Dec 24, 1916	SOS OMFC (Overseas Military Force of Canada) on proceeding to Canada Embarked the SS Scotian at Liverpool
Jan 4, 1917	Disembarked at St John New Brunswick
Jan 8, 1917	Officer’s Declaration signed for the 254^th Battalion at Belleville Ontario Ø Rank of Lieutenant Ø Next of kin given as Albert L Geen (father) of 114 Bridge St W, Belleville Ontario Ø Previous occupation given as Customs Clerk Ø Previous military experience given as 15^th Militia Regiment and 2 years 2 months in 21^st Battalion CEF Ø Religion given as Anglican
May 26, 1917	SOS 254^th Battalion
Jul 31, 1917	Discharged from the CEF in Canada
Oct 17, 1917	Shown on pay sheet of the 1^st Depot Battalion of the Eastern Ontario Regiment. Also shown as resigning his Commission on this date.
Oct 31, 1917	Removed from pay sheet for 1^st Depot Battalion
May 30, 1921	British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to Belleville Ontario
Jun 22, 1967	Deceased at Belleville Ontario
A note from Archives Canada states that several of the documents in the file were damaged by a flood and were either destroyed, or were in such poor condition that they could not be copied.