A First War British War Medal to the No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital

(34296 PTE. F.E. JOSEPH C.A.M.C.). Naming is officially impressed, the initial "F" almost erased. Lacquered, edge nicks, very fine. Footnote: Frederick Emmanuel Joseph was born on September 25, 1878 in Ridgetown, Botany Township, Kent County, Ontario. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (34296) with No. 2 Stationary Hospital, Canadian Army Medical Corps, on September 24, 1914 at Valcartier Camp, at the age of 36, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Susan Joseph of Chatham, Ontario, stating that he was with an Active Militia, that he was not married and that his trades were that of Photographer & Barber & Cook. He sailed with his unit from Quebec City, Quebec aboard the S.S. Scotian, on October 3, 1914, arriving in England shortly thereafter. Five months later, he entered the French theatre on March 8, 1915 and was listed on the Nominal Roll of No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital as of July 31st. Joseph was sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment No. 1 on July 14, 1916 for stealing a watch and a ring, which was the property of a comrade, and was sent to Field Punishment Camp at Boulogne that day. He had just finished serving his sentence, when he was admitted to No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital at Boulogne on August 10, 1916, with the initial diagnosis of "Anemia & Debility". He was immediately invalided to England, where he was transferred to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre on August 11th and admitted that day to University College Hospital, Gower Street, London, WC. It was here that he was diagnosed with "Pernicious Anemia" (also known as Biermer's anemia, Addison's anemia, or Addison–Biermer anemia, one of many types of the larger family of megaloblastic anemias. One way pernicious anemia can develop is by loss of gastric parietal cells, which are responsible, in part, for the secretion of intrinsic factor, a protein essential for subsequent absorption of vitamin B12 in the ileum. Usually seated in an atrophic gastritis, the autoimmune destruction of gastric parietal cells and autoantibody inactivation of intrinsic factor, leads to a lack of intrinsic factor. Since the absorption from the gut of normal dietary amounts of vitamin B12 is dependent on intrinsic factor, the loss of intrinsic factor leads to vitamin B12 deficiency). After one month's recuperation and treatment at University College Hospital, he was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bromley, Kent on September 9th. In his Medical Report of an Invalid Report, dated September 9, 1916 at the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bromley, Kent, the doctor noted that Joseph's disability had originated at Boulogne, France on August 10th. The doctor noted that "Before enlistment was treated for anemia for seven months. Was still rather weak when he enlisted. Since enlistment has been sick more or less all the time and has reported sick five or six times. Last reported sick 10th August 1916 and was sent to England next day. Has been at University College Hospital since. Blood count done at University College Hospital. An older sister of patient has had similar trouble for seven or eight years. Poikilocytes, normoblasts and megaloblasts present." He also stated that the patient "Feels weak and cold. Troubled with headaches. Has lost weight. Normal weight 170 pounds. Weighed 145 pounds a year ago, and thinks he is thinner now. Looks anemic. Appears nervous. Appetite not good, but he has a craving for fresh fruits at all times. Several teeth in upper jaw loose." The doctor's final observation was damning: "This man looks 50. He says he is at least 42. He had only recovered from a similar attack a few weeks before he enlisted. Yet he was on full duty with No. 2 General Hospital almost 2 years." Joseph was determined by the Medical Board as not fit for duty or base duty, and recommended that he be invalided to Canada and discharged as "permanently unfit" for service. Three days later, he was discharged from hospital on the 12th and reported as "overseas casualty". Upon his discharge from hospital, he was transferred to the Canadian Army Medical Corps and appeared before a Medical Board at the Office of the A.D.H.S. Canadians, Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre at Shorncliffe on September 13th, where he was approved for discharge due to his "Pernicious Anemia". It was noted that "When this man is discharged, he be granted a gratuity at the rate of one hundred dollars under Class 6 of the Pay and Allowance Regulations 1914 as amended by P.C. 1334 of June 3rd. 1916." Joseph was struck off strength on proceeding to Canada for discharge at Folkestone on September 29, 1916, his records stating that he sailed for Canada aboard "Troop Ship "Secret" " on September 30th. Five weeks later, he was admitted to the Convalescent Home at Military District No. 1 in London Ontario, on November 6, 1916. Three and a half months later, in his Medical History of an Invalid Report, dated February 23, 1917 at London, the doctor noted that "This man complains of Myalgic pains, left Lumbar muscles and general asthenia (abnormal physical weakness or lack of energy). The Myalgia (muscle pain, a symptom of many diseases and disorders) is slight so far as physical examination shows although the man explains a great deal about it. Muscular development exceptionally good. Blood examinations Nov. 20th. 1916 and Feb. 22nd. 1917. shows absolutely no evidence of Pernicious Anemia. Invalid states that he was treated for Anemia for two years prior to enlistment. The blood examinations shows that his blood at present is normal. He states that he was always nervous and is quite nervous at the present time. Reflexes are normal. Heart and lungs as well as other organs normal. Right foot has several slightly deformed toes due to an old injury." Private Joseph was discharged for reason of "Being no longer physically fit for war service", at Military District No. 1 in London, Ontario, on March 25, 1917, at the stated age of 43, confirmed by the orders of the Commandant at the Canadian Discharge Depot at Bath, credited with having served twenty months in France and Flanders. For his First World War service, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.