Tuesday 31 July 2007

Lance-Corporal Russell Cleveland Budreo

Born on 21 May 1890 in Alliston, Ontario - husband of Florence L. Budreo, Ottawa, Ontario - son of Francis and Maria Budreo, Ottawa, Ontario - enlistment records provide the following: present address in Ottawa, Ontario, trade as printer, married, no current military service, previously served three years with the 43rd Regiment Duke of Cornwall's Own Rifles, Methodist, height of 5 feet 10.75 inches, chest of 37 inches fully expanded, dark complexion, grey eyes, brown hair.

Joined the 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Ottawa, Ontario, on 18 May 1916 (number 246318) - taken on the strength of the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion in France on 26 or 27 September 1917 - died on 24 March 1918 of wounds received that day - buried in Houchin British Cemetery (grave I.G.28), France.

2 comments:

Peter Budreo said...

This is my grandfather. My own father, who was born in Feb. 1917, never knew him. We have one picture of my infant father being held by his father shortly before he was sent to France.

Ironically as I type this it is Mar. 24 2008 which is both my own daughter's 13th birthday as well as the 90th anniversary of my grandfather's death in France.

Peter Budreo

Ken said...

Hi Peter,

This is part of the reason that I started this blog - to make contact with family members and, hopefully, be able to pass some additional information their way.

It's truly unfortunate that your father never got to know him. That was, tragically I fear, an all too common occurrence in Canada.

If it's not too much to ask, would you consider possibly sending me a digital scan of the photo you mentioned? I'm trying to gather as much information about these men as I can. If you're willing to share any other information about his life, his descendants, etc., that would also certainly be appreciated.

Thanks again,

Ken