Private John Reginald Arthur Branch

Born on 24 June 1894 in St. John's, Antigua, British West Indies - next of kin listed as Venerable Archdeacon Branch, Antigua, British West Indies - enlistment records provide the following: trade as student, single, currently a private in the McGill Battalion [COTC?], no previous military service, Church of England, height of 5 feet 11.2 inches, chest of 37.5 inches fully expanded, dark complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair.

Joined the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Montreal, Quebec, on 18 February 1915 (number 410906) - taken on the strength of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in France on 16 July 1916 - transferred to the British army on 24 October 1916 in order to be commissioned.