Canada; 1914-15 Star (32726 Cpl J. LIVINGS. CAN:A.M.C); British War Medal (32726 CPL. J. LIVINGS. C.A.M.C.); and Victory Medal (32726 CPL. J. LIVINGS. C.A.M.C). Naming is officially impressed. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, original ribbons, spotting and gilt wear on the VM, better than very fine.
Footnote: James Livings was born on May 14, 1880 in Middlesex Parish, London, England. His year of birth is also later acknowledged on one document as 1875. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (32726) with the Canadian Army Medical Corps, on September 24, 1914 at Valcartier Camp, Quebec, at the age of 34, naming his next-of-kin as his sister, Mrs. Thomas Litchfield of Kingston, Ontario, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that is trade was that of Labourer (Boiler Maker's Helper with the Canadian Locomotive Works). His religion was Roman Catholic. During his medical examination, the doctor noted that Livings had a tattoo of crosses and stars on his left arm. He embarked Quebec City, Quebec aboard the S.S. Megantic on October 4, 1914 and shortly after arriving in England from the long voyage, he was admitted to No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance, his own unit, on October 17th, the first of what would prove to be many encounters with "sickness". Private Livings would be taken on strength of No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps, arriving for service in France in February 1915, where he was promoted to Corporal on July 6th. Three months later, he reverted to the rank of Private at his own request on October 17, 1915. Livings was with the 1st Canadian Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps when he was admitted to No. 1 Canadian General Hospital at Etaples with "Myalgia" (muscle pain, a symptom of many diseases and disorders), also stated in his medical reports as "Rheumatoid Arthritis", on May 3, 1916. Eleven days later, he was invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Dieppe on May 14th and upon arrival in England, was admitted to Bradford War Hospital on May 15th, where he was diagnosed with "Bronchitis". The doctor at Bradford noted that while in France, Livings had had "five attacks of Bronchitis with pains in (his) legs, muscle aches all over both sides, has attacks of bad breathing at night like asthma." After two months treatment at Bradford War Hospital, he was transferred and admitted to King's Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital at Bushy Park, Hampton Hill on July 17th with "Bronchitis". In his Medical Report of an Invalid, dated August 1, 1916, the attending physician reviewed Livings' medical history: "Before joining the army he was troubled every winter with (a) cough. These attacks were never severe enough to necessitate his going off duty. He had more or less of a continuous cough practically every winter. While at Salisbury Plain in November 1914 he had a severe attack of bronchitis, and myalgia which kept him in hospital for a month. Had a severe cough but did not know whether he had a temperature or not. Went to France in February 1915 and since then has had five attacks, each one of which has kept him off duty for from 4 to 6 weeks. He first had difficulty in breathing while in France. At first he had shortness of breath during the attacks but after several attacks he found that he had difficulty in breathing after slight exertion. He was excused (from) all parades till April 3rd when he reported sick. He was finding it very difficult to get about on account of myalgia in the legs. He had a slight temperature at the time he was sent to Etaples (No. 1 Stationary) where he was kept in bed for a week.
Bradford (St. Luke's) - In bed for one month. K.C.R.X.C. Hosp. (King's Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital) Rest. Complaining of shortness of breath on getting up in the morning." The doctor also noted that "This man has had trouble with Bronchitis before joining the army. The wet and cold of army life has rendered his condition so much worse as to partially incapacitate him." After three weeks at King's Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital, Livings was discharged on August 8th and declared "Fit for Base Duty", the doctor stating that his "Condition more or less (was) asthmatic (and) will probably improve in (a) dry climate." He was transferred to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre at Folkestone for "Board" on August 8th, where it was noted on the 10th that he had "attacks of coughing in the morning, lasting 2 or 3 hours. Little sputum". He was subsequently posted to the Canadian Discharge Depot at Prior Park, Bath for discharge on August 12th. Livings made a declaration before the Pensions and Claims Board of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on August 14, 1916 at the Canadian Discharge Depot, where his recent condition was listed as "Poor" and stating that he wished to be sent home to Canada for discharge. The Board itself, composed of two Lieutenant-Colonels and two Majors made this recommendation: "When this man is discharged that he be granted a Gratuity of One Hundred Dollars under Class 6, of the Pay and Allowance Regulations 1914 as amended by P.C. 1334 of June 3rd 1916." Livings was struck off strength for discharge at Shoreham on September 5, 1916. Upon arrival in Canada, Livings was posted to the Military Hospitals Commission Command (MHCC) at Military District No. 3 in Kingston, Ontario for medical treatment. He was taken on strength of "C" Unit at Richardson Convalescent Hospital on February 2, 1917 and after two weeks, was treated as an outpatient as of February 15th. By the Fall of 1917, a pensioner with no dependents and a resident of Kingston Junction, he was transferred and admitted to No. 2 Queen's Military Hospital on October 2, 1917, where the doctor noted that Livings "complains of nervousness". After eight weeks, he was released from hospital on November 26, 1917, discharged from N.M.S. Class 3, with his conduct noted as "Very Good". In an Opinion of a Medical Board, dated December 7, 1917 at Kingston, the Board recommended that "On account of disability resulting from Chronic Bronchitis - strongly suspicious of being tuberculous, this man should be placed in Category "E" (unfit for service in Categories A, B, C = General Service, Service Abroad, Home Service). Man requires no further Hospital treatment. Man able to pass under his own control." Corporal James Livings, Canadian Army Medical Corps was discharged as "being physically unfit for further service", at Military District No. 3 in Kingston, Ontario, on December 31, 1917, stating his intended residence as Outer Station, Kingston. By 1919, Livings was in Western Canada and being treated at Colonel Belcher Hospital in Calgary, Alberta from September 24-25 for "Asthma". The facility opened in 1919 for First World War Veterans and was located in a former warehouse on 8th Avenue, named for Lieutenant Colonel Robert Belcher, a cavalry officer and charter member of the Northwest Mounted Police. Livings was later treated at the Central Sanatorium in Robertson, Alberta. For his First World War service, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, the medals dispatched to him. Livings died on February 7, 1929, at the age of 48. As his death was attributed to his war service, his Scroll and Memorial Plaque were forwarded to his sister, Mrs. C. Litchfield of Kingston, in October and November of 1929, respectively. No Memorial Cross was issued, as his mother was deceased and he was not married.
Canada; 1914-15 Star (32726 Cpl J. LIVINGS. CAN:A.M.C); British War Medal (32726 CPL. J. LIVINGS. C.A.M.C.); and Victory Medal (32726 CPL. J. LIVINGS. C.A.M.C). Naming is officially impressed. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, original ribbons, spotting and gilt wear on the VM, better than very fine.
Footnote: James Livings was born on May 14, 1880 in Middlesex Parish, London, England. His year of birth is also later acknowledged on one document as 1875. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (32726) with the Canadian Army Medical Corps, on September 24, 1914 at Valcartier Camp, Quebec, at the age of 34, naming his next-of-kin as his sister, Mrs. Thomas Litchfield of Kingston, Ontario, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that is trade was that of Labourer (Boiler Maker's Helper with the Canadian Locomotive Works). His religion was Roman Catholic. During his medical examination, the doctor noted that Livings had a tattoo of crosses and stars on his left arm. He embarked Quebec City, Quebec aboard the S.S. Megantic on October 4, 1914 and shortly after arriving in England from the long voyage, he was admitted to No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance, his own unit, on October 17th, the first of what would prove to be many encounters with "sickness". Private Livings would be taken on strength of No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps, arriving for service in France in February 1915, where he was promoted to Corporal on July 6th. Three months later, he reverted to the rank of Private at his own request on October 17, 1915. Livings was with the 1st Canadian Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps when he was admitted to No. 1 Canadian General Hospital at Etaples with "Myalgia" (muscle pain, a symptom of many diseases and disorders), also stated in his medical reports as "Rheumatoid Arthritis", on May 3, 1916. Eleven days later, he was invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Dieppe on May 14th and upon arrival in England, was admitted to Bradford War Hospital on May 15th, where he was diagnosed with "Bronchitis". The doctor at Bradford noted that while in France, Livings had had "five attacks of Bronchitis with pains in (his) legs, muscle aches all over both sides, has attacks of bad breathing at night like asthma." After two months treatment at Bradford War Hospital, he was transferred and admitted to King's Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital at Bushy Park, Hampton Hill on July 17th with "Bronchitis". In his Medical Report of an Invalid, dated August 1, 1916, the attending physician reviewed Livings' medical history: "Before joining the army he was troubled every winter with (a) cough. These attacks were never severe enough to necessitate his going off duty. He had more or less of a continuous cough practically every winter. While at Salisbury Plain in November 1914 he had a severe attack of bronchitis, and myalgia which kept him in hospital for a month. Had a severe cough but did not know whether he had a temperature or not. Went to France in February 1915 and since then has had five attacks, each one of which has kept him off duty for from 4 to 6 weeks. He first had difficulty in breathing while in France. At first he had shortness of breath during the attacks but after several attacks he found that he had difficulty in breathing after slight exertion. He was excused (from) all parades till April 3rd when he reported sick. He was finding it very difficult to get about on account of myalgia in the legs. He had a slight temperature at the time he was sent to Etaples (No. 1 Stationary) where he was kept in bed for a week.
Bradford (St. Luke's) - In bed for one month. K.C.R.X.C. Hosp. (King's Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital) Rest. Complaining of shortness of breath on getting up in the morning." The doctor also noted that "This man has had trouble with Bronchitis before joining the army. The wet and cold of army life has rendered his condition so much worse as to partially incapacitate him." After three weeks at King's Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital, Livings was discharged on August 8th and declared "Fit for Base Duty", the doctor stating that his "Condition more or less (was) asthmatic (and) will probably improve in (a) dry climate." He was transferred to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre at Folkestone for "Board" on August 8th, where it was noted on the 10th that he had "attacks of coughing in the morning, lasting 2 or 3 hours. Little sputum". He was subsequently posted to the Canadian Discharge Depot at Prior Park, Bath for discharge on August 12th. Livings made a declaration before the Pensions and Claims Board of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on August 14, 1916 at the Canadian Discharge Depot, where his recent condition was listed as "Poor" and stating that he wished to be sent home to Canada for discharge. The Board itself, composed of two Lieutenant-Colonels and two Majors made this recommendation: "When this man is discharged that he be granted a Gratuity of One Hundred Dollars under Class 6, of the Pay and Allowance Regulations 1914 as amended by P.C. 1334 of June 3rd 1916." Livings was struck off strength for discharge at Shoreham on September 5, 1916. Upon arrival in Canada, Livings was posted to the Military Hospitals Commission Command (MHCC) at Military District No. 3 in Kingston, Ontario for medical treatment. He was taken on strength of "C" Unit at Richardson Convalescent Hospital on February 2, 1917 and after two weeks, was treated as an outpatient as of February 15th. By the Fall of 1917, a pensioner with no dependents and a resident of Kingston Junction, he was transferred and admitted to No. 2 Queen's Military Hospital on October 2, 1917, where the doctor noted that Livings "complains of nervousness". After eight weeks, he was released from hospital on November 26, 1917, discharged from N.M.S. Class 3, with his conduct noted as "Very Good". In an Opinion of a Medical Board, dated December 7, 1917 at Kingston, the Board recommended that "On account of disability resulting from Chronic Bronchitis - strongly suspicious of being tuberculous, this man should be placed in Category "E" (unfit for service in Categories A, B, C = General Service, Service Abroad, Home Service). Man requires no further Hospital treatment. Man able to pass under his own control." Corporal James Livings, Canadian Army Medical Corps was discharged as "being physically unfit for further service", at Military District No. 3 in Kingston, Ontario, on December 31, 1917, stating his intended residence as Outer Station, Kingston. By 1919, Livings was in Western Canada and being treated at Colonel Belcher Hospital in Calgary, Alberta from September 24-25 for "Asthma". The facility opened in 1919 for First World War Veterans and was located in a former warehouse on 8th Avenue, named for Lieutenant Colonel Robert Belcher, a cavalry officer and charter member of the Northwest Mounted Police. Livings was later treated at the Central Sanatorium in Robertson, Alberta. For his First World War service, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, the medals dispatched to him. Livings died on February 7, 1929, at the age of 48. As his death was attributed to his war service, his Scroll and Memorial Plaque were forwarded to his sister, Mrs. C. Litchfield of Kingston, in October and November of 1929, respectively. No Memorial Cross was issued, as his mother was deceased and he was not married.