Basil James Green was born in 1893, a son of Ernest Stanley Green, who was born in Sandgate, Kent, in 1867. Ernest, was given in the 1881 Census, to be living with Francis G. Wheatley, his brother in-law at Tressillian Lodge, Longfleet, Dorset, he was 14 years old and was employed as an accounts clerk.

The 1901 census gives the Green family living in Lambeth as;

Ernest S Green Head Married 34 Merchant Clerk Sandgate, Kent
Margaret Wife Married 31 Camberwell
John S Son S. 9
Basil J Son S. 8
Florence M Dau. S. 6
Norah M Dau. S. 5
Madeline J Dau S. 3
Agnes E Dau S. 1
Janette M Mother M. 72 Kennington
Florence Plumney Ser. S. 15 Domestic Nurse Battersea
Janette Moore Ser. S. 16 Domestic Norwood

Basil was working in Canada at the outbreak of World War One, already a member of the local Militia, The 100th Winnipeg Grenadiers. He sailed to England, on leave from his job and after visiting his family, found the Canadians already in this country. On 5th November 1914, Basil enlisted into the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force, at Pond Farm Camp, Salisbury Plains, aged 21 years and 11 months, as a Private, No. 22198, in the 11th Infantry Battalion. By 2nd February 1915, he had volunteered into a reinforcement draft and transferred to the 8th Infantry Battalion. He arrived in France on the 12th February 1915, and proceeded into the trenches. Between the 12th and 20th October 1915 he was granted leave.

On 26th November 1915 he was attached to the Canadian Army Corps H.Q. for duty with A.D.C.S. (assistant director chaplain services), and in early 1916 was attached to the brigade band [concert party]. On 31st July 1916 was appointed for duty with Canadian Army Corps H.Q., as acting sergeant (without pay).

Basil was awarded 10 days leave, in the field, on 24th November 1916, and on 1st December 1916 was granted four days official leave to London. On 6th December he returned from leave, to unit. He was granted 10 days leave on 15 July 1917, returning on 29th July. Basil was appointed Acting Company Sergeant Major, without alteration to pay, on 27th January 1918, and on 10th August 1918 was granted 9 days leave to Paris, and returned on 17th August 1918.

[During his attachment to the C.A.C.H.Q., Basil was assigned to various departments, including, Canadian Corps Composite Company Headquarters (C.C.C.C.H.Q.), Canadian Corps Signalling Company (C.C.Sig.Co.), and Senior Staff Canadian Corps Headquarters (S.S.C.C.H.Q.)].

He was granted 14 days leave to U.K. on 12th October 1918, returning on 30th October 1918. Basil was to be seconded from the regimental list for duty as secretary in the Khaki University of Canada, in France, on 14th December 1918. His rank had risen to Temp. Lt. – to remain seconded as secretary, attached to the Khaki University of Canada, on 15 February 1919, and was struck off strength of the 8th Battalion, (during the period between mid June 1916 and 15/2/19 Basil was attached to the C.A.C.H.Q., but remained on the pay roll of the 8th battalion). On the 16th of February, he was granted a concession of temp. Lt. and recorded from requisite list as secretary to Khaki University of Canada. Basil was granted leave to U.K.

0n 22 February and returned from leave on 8th March. He was struck of strength of the Canadian Army Corps H.Q. and proceeded to England on 2nd May 1919, and was rostered to the Canadian General Depot at Whitby. On the 7th he was detailed to the London area, medically examined on 20th May, and retired in the British Isles on 31st May 1919, where he ceased to be attached to the Khaki University, and struck of strength and his account settled up on 13th November 1919.

The rank of Lieutenant was to be assumed from 14th December 1918, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War and Victory Medals as well as the Meritorious Service Medal, which was announced in the London Gazette, issue No. 31602, dated 16th October 1919.

Meritorious Service Medal (military)