Private Robert Buckles

Born on 16 December 1897 in Long Branch, Ontario - son of A.M. and Mary Buckles, RR2 Newmarket, Ontario - enlistment records provide the following: present address in Toronto, Ontario, trade as farmhand, single, no current or previous military service, Methodist, height of 5 feet 7 inches, chest of 36.5 inches fully expanded, medium complexion, blue eyes, brown hair.

Joined the 166th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Toronto, Ontario, on 8 February 1916 (number 669662) - taken on the strength of the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion in France on 27 or 28 November 1916 - killed in action on 9 April 1917 - name listed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Buckles'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)