Private George Patrick Avery

Born on 3 April 1895 in London, England - next of kin listed as friend, Nellie Donovan, Ottawa, Ontario - attestation form notes trade as farmer, single, no current nor previous military service, height of 5 feet 3.5 inches, chest of 34 inches, weight of 124 pounds, medium complexion, blue eyes, dark hair, Roman Catholic.

Joined the 38th Battalion on 28 May 1915 (number 410443) - served with the battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France with the battalion on 13 August 1916 - wounded on 18 or 19 November 1916 - rejoined the battalion on 6 December 1916 - killed in action on 22 February 1917 - name listed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Avery's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that I took in August 2012).

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)