Private William Armstrong

Born on 12 May 1882 in Cardinal, Ontario - son of Duncan John and Mary Jane Armstrong, Cardinal, Ontario - attestation forms note trade as factory hand (1915) / labourer (1916), single, not now a member of the military, previously served in the military for three months (1916), height of 5 feet 4.75 inches (1915) / 5 feet 6 inches (1916), chest of 34.5 inches (1915) / 36 inches (1916), fair complexion (1915) / dark complexion (1916), blue eyes, black hair, Church of England.

Tried to join the 56th Canadian Infantry Battalion on 12 March 1915, but declared medically unfit - joined the 156th Canadian Infantry Battalion on 24 February 1916 (number 639717) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 18 or 19 January 1918 - wounded on 25 March 1918 - rejoined the battalion on 30 April 1918 - wounded and reported missing on 10 August 1918 - name listed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Armstrong'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)