Source: 18th Battalion Nominal Roll, April 1915.
Family Search: When Private Allan Meredith Joyce was born on 30 January 1892, in Campbellford, Seymour Township, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada, his father, James Albert Joyce, was 41 and his mother, Elizabeth Ruth Mason, was 38. He married Ethel Winnifred Lawerence on 18 March 1921, in Stratford, Perth, Ontario, Canada. They were the parents of at least 2 sons. He lived in Perth, Ontario, Canada in 1911 and Stratford, Perth, Ontario, Canada for about 10 years. He registered for military service in 1914. In 1931, at the age of 39, his occupation is listed as foreman in Stratford, Perth, Ontario, Canada. He died on 21 September 1967, in London, Ontario, Canada, at the age of 75, and was buried in Avondale Cemetery, Stratford, Perth, Ontario, Canada.
Private Allan Meredith Joyce. Regimental No. 53814.
This man enlisted in the 18th Battalion on 30 October 1914, at Stratford, Ontario. He was a paper roller by trade, and had prior military experience with 2 years experience with the 28th Regiment.
He arrived in Avonmouth, England, on 29 April 1915 aboard the SS Grampian.
He trained in England until 15 September 1915, when the entire 2nd Contingent went “overseas” to the Continent and then to Belgium.
On 30 January 1916, he suffered from bronchitis and was sent to the 5th Canadian Field Ambulance for treatment. After a series of transfers to other medical units, he was discharged and returned to duty on 18 February 1916.
He suffered from scabies and required treatment at No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance from 9 April to 12 April 1916.
On 23 August 1916, he was charged with the offence, “When on Active Service, neglect of duty.” He received 5 days Field Punishment No. 1 for this infraction.
On 17 September 1916, at the Somme, he suffered multiple GSWs to the left side of his face that were considered severe in nature. A later medical report dated 22 February 1917 reported he had received shrapnel wounds to his head, left hand, right arm, both legs and had lost his right eye and left ring finger and that his hand was shrivelled and deformed from the wounding.
He was transported to England on 21 February 1917 and was discharged from treatment on 10 March 1917. He was not fit for further service due to his wounds and proceeded home to Canada, arriving in Toronto on 14 May 1917. Ironically, he returned via the SS Grampian, leaving Liverpool on 4 May 1917.
He received further treatment and was discharged due to being medically unfit at Toronto, Ontario, on 28 August 1917.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 