MILITARY HISTORY

Captain Malcolm Robert Graham                                           ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

Malcolm Robert Graham was 29 years, 2 months and 21 days old when, as a single man, he completed the
Officers’ Declaration Paper, Canadian Army (CA), Canadian (Overseas) Expeditionary Force (CEF) in Kingston, Ontario. He was enlisted on April 18, 1916 with the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) for the duration of the War. Malcolm Robert was born in Wallacetown, Ontario on January 28, 1887. He gave his occupation as a Physician and Surgeon and his next-of-kin was his mother Mrs. Issabella M. Graham, living at Wallacetown. Malcolm Robert indicated that he had previous Militia experience with the Army Medical Centre (AMC) but no former Military Service. On May 1, 1916 a Pay Assignment of $25.00 monthly was instituted by Malcolm Robert to his mother, Mrs. Issabella M. Graham, and February 1, 1917 it was increased to $70.00 monthly. Malcolm Robert’s Medical Examination was done in Kingston on April 18, 1916, he was found fit for duty. On April 18, 1916 Capt Graham indicated that he had Insurance with Metropolitan Life; Standard Life and the Canadian Order of Forresters and the premiums were being paid. Also, on April 18, 1916 he was assigned the Temporary Rank of Captain (T/Capt) and taken-on-strength to the CAMC.

On April 22, 1916 T/Capt Graham was promoted to the Rank of Captain (Capt); embarked the SS Metagama from St. John, New Brunswick and was posted to the CAMC Training School (TS), England. Capt Graham disembarked at Liverpool, England on May 5, 1916; upon landing at Liverpool he was taken-on-strength with the CAMC TS at Cheriton, England. May 27, 1916 Capt Graham was admitted to the Helena Hospital diagnosed with Rheumatism. On May 30, 1916 Capt Graham was struck-off-strength from the CAMC TS and was admitted to the Military Hospital at Shorncliffe, England with Rheumatic Fever.

On June 29, 1916 Capt Graham is granted Leave by the Medical Board to July 20, 1916 when he is transferred to the Shorncliffe Hospital as a Medical Officer through the Director of Medical Services (DMS). July 4, 1916 he is discharged from the Helena Hospital. July 26, 1916 Capt Graham is struck-off strength from the CAMC TS and taken-on-strength on temporary duty with DMS. On August 26, 1916 he is attached to the Assistant Director of Medical Services (ADMS) Canada as a Medical Officer.

July 1, 1917 Capt Graham is posted from DMS to the CAMC Depot and attached to the Shorncliffe Military Hospital. On September 19, 1917 he is taken-on-strength to the No 9 Canadian General Hospital (CGH) at Bramshott, England on ceasing to be attached to the Military Hospital at Shorncliffe, from the CAMC Depot. November 22, 1917 Capt Graham is struck-off-strength from the No 9 CGH on posting to the CAMC Depot. November 23, 1917 he is proceeding Overseas and was taken-on-strength with the CAMC Depot and posted to and taken-on-strength to the No 2 Canadian Staty Hospital, a Combat Support Hospital (CSH).

February 27, 1918 Capt Graham is struck-off-strength of the Establishment on posting to the CAMC General Hospital (GH) and on February 28, 1918 he was taken-on-strength from the No 2 Canadian Staty Hospital (CSH) to the CAMC General Hospital (GH) on arrival in France. His latest address was 2525 Danforth Ave., Toronto Ontario.

Capt Graham is temporarily attached for duty to the No 11 Canadian Field Ambulance (CFA) in the Field from February 28 to March 6, 1918 and was temporarily attached for duty to the 72nd Cdn Inf Bn. Authorized by the Assistant Director of Medical Services (ADMS), 4th Division MC/290 February 27, 1918. March 17, 1918 he ceases to be attached to the 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cdn Inf Bn). March 18, 1918 Capt Graham is attached to the 47th Cdn Inf Bn as is in the War Establishment. On April 11, 1918 he was admitted to the No 13 CFA with a slight gunshot wound (GSW) to his right hand which was dressed and he was discharged to duty in the Field. May 16, 1918 he ceases to be attached as is in the War Establishment to the 47th Cdn Inf Bn. May 21, 1918 Capt Graham was admitted to the No 11 CFA with PUO. On May 27, 1918 Capt Graham was admitted to the No 3 CFA, in the Field, with PUO – Pyrexia, of unknown origin fever of an undetermined cause. He was transferred to the No 4 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station (CCCS) and was admitted. May 28, 1918 Capt Graham was admitted to the St. John’s Hospital at Étaples.

June 1, 1918 Capt Graham is admitted to the No1 Red Cross Hospital at Le Jouquel, France with PUO, slight. June 11, 1918 Capt Graham was discharged from the No1 Red Cross Hospital. June 12, 1918 Capt Graham is temporarily attached for duty to the No 4 Canadian General Hospital (CGH). September 24, 1918 he was granted 14 days Leave. December 12, 1918 he was transferred to No 3 London General Hospital at Wandsworth Common S.W. December 16, 1918 a Rectal Abscess developed and he was admitted to the No 7 General Hospital at Étaples. December 18, 1918 he was admitted to the No 20 CGH at Camiers, France. His mother’s new address was 19 High St., E. Dereham Norfolk, England. December 31, 1918 Capt Graham ceases to be attached to the No 7 CGH; was struck-off-strength on posting to the CAMC Casualty Company (Cas Coy); was taken-on-strength on posting from the CAMC, France and was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth Common S.W., England with a Rectal Abscess. He was discharged from the 3rd London General Hospital on February 7, 1919 and granted Leave to February 28, 1919.

January 1, 1919 Capt Graham is confined to bed until January 16, 1919. January 29, 1919 Capt Graham was admitted to the CCOH (convalescent) at Matlock Bath and was discharged on February 7, 1919. March 15, 1919 he was taken-on-strength to the Military Convalescent Hospital on posting from the CAMC Cas Coy and attached to the Canadian Red Cross Officers Hospital (CRCOH); Petrograd Hotel at 17 N Audley Street, London, England and was attached to this Unit from the Malton Convalescent Hospital (MCH) at Epsom. June 9, 1919 Capt Graham ceases to be shown as attached to the CRCO Hospital; Petrograd Hotel on posting from the MCH, Epsom to the No 16 CGH at Orpington, England. June 10, 1919 he is taken-on-strength from the MCH to the No 16 CGH at Orpington. June 27, 1919 Capt Graham embarked the SS Metagama at England bound for Lachine Québec, Canada disembarked July 6, 1919. He and was taken-on-strength to the CEF in Canada from MHQ, Ottawa on General Demobilization at Manning Depot (MD) No 5, Lachine, Québec.

Proceedings of a Medical Board June 29, 1916 by order of ADMS – Canadians on disability – Acute Articular Rheumatism reference: Captain Malcolm Robert Graham.
The Board having assembled pursuant to order, and having read the instructions on the back of the form, proceed to examine the above-named officer and find that “this officer has been a patient in Helene Hospital suffering from above condition. He is now convalescent but unfit without a rest to resume work.” The Board opinion was that the condition wascaused by exposure and infection due to Military Service beyond his control. He needed 3 weeks rest before any light duty, unfit for general service for a month.

July 12, 1919 he was struck-off-strength from the CEF in Canada from MHQ, Ottawa and discharged on General Demobilization at Manning Depot (MD) No 5 from the Canadian Army (Canada) at the Canadian Discharge Depot (CDD) in Québec, Canada to return to civil life on demobilization. He would have been granted a $100.00 Clothing Allowance, a Rehabilitation Grant, War Service Gratuity and his Post Discharge Pay.

There is no mention in Captain Malcolm Robert Graham’s File with regards to what Military Medals he was eligible to receive or was awarded. Based on his Military Service, he was awarded the:
British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He would have also received the CEF Class “A” War Service Badge. Malcolm Robert Graham’s medals were dispatched to Mrs. Florence Graham at 127 Sandwich St., W. Sandwich, Ontario on April 16, 1931. Malcolm Robert’s mother had died and Malcolm Robert died December 25, 1930.

Captain Malcolm Robert Graham served for: 10 days in Canada; 2 years, 3 months, 18 days in the United Kingdom; 10 months and 4 in France and 22 days Travel Time for a total time of 3 years, 2 months and 24 days.

An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:

The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?

PERSONAL HISTORY

MALCOLM ROBERT GRAHAM

Malcolm Robert Graham was born on January 28, 1877, the son of John Carswell Graham and Isabella Campbell of Wallacetown, Elgin County, Ontario. Malcolm attended the local school and went on to become a Medical Doctor. By 1909 Malcolm Graham was the sole support of his mother as his father John Carswell Graham died on April 12, 1908.

Dr. M. R. Graham, Physician & Surgeon, spent time in Lakefield, Ontario as a medical doctor. He was practicing in the village of Lakefield in 1911 & 1912, as he bought advertising in “The High School Budget”, a literary newspaper put out five times a year by The Literary Society of Lakefield High School. The 1911 Ontario Census for Peterborough East has Dr. Graham lodging with Mr. & Mrs. Royden Kidd on Queen Street in Lakefield and listed his occupation as a Medical Doctor. He attended Knox Presbyterian Church while practicing medicine in the village.

Dr. M. R. Graham enlisted in the Canadian Medical Corps in December 1916 and served with the Corps in England and France during WWI. Captain Graham was wounded in action in France in 1917, invalided to England in 1918 where he met and married his wife, Nursing Sister Florence Bloy. He returned to Canada in 1918 but did not return to Lakefield. Dr. Graham returned to the Windsor area and became Medical Superintendent of the Essex County Sanatorium in Windsor, Ontario. Dr. Malcolm Robert Graham died on December 25, 1930 and was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Dutton, Ontario.

(Detailed medical information courtesy of Wallacetown Women’s Institute – Tweedsmuir History series.)

Malcolm Robert Graham was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church and is included on a Memorial Plaque that hung in Knox Presbyterian Church which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I. This plaque was later moved to the Sanctuary of Lakefield United Church on Regent Street in 1932 after the two churches merged to form Lakefield United Church.

THE MALCOLM ROBERT GRAHAM FAMILY OF WALLACETOWN

Malcolm Robert Graham’s parents were John Carswell Graham, born March 29, 1843 and Isabella Campbell, born June 21, 1857. They married in Wallacetown, Ontario on February 20, 1873. John farmed in the area and they had three children William Arthur born September 25, 1874, Malcolm Robert born January 28, 1877 and J. Margaret “Maggie” Graham born January 18, 1889. John Carswell Graham developed Arterio Sclerosis and was unable to work and eventually became an invalid. He died April 12, 1908, age 79 years. By 1922 Isabella Graham was living in 679 West, Warren, Detroit, Michigan for a time.