Saturday 23 May 2009

Private Walter Colby

Born on 24 February 1896 in Toronto, Ontario - son of Annie Colby, Toronto, Ontario - at time of enlistment in 1915: trade as labourer, single, no current military service, previously served one week in the Mississauga Horse, Presbyterian, height of 5 feet 3 inches, chest of 34 inches fully expanded, dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair.

Joined the 77th Battalion, CEF, in Smiths Falls, Ontario, on 24 July 1915 (number 144502) - departed Canada for overseas on 19 June 1916 - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, in England on 6 July 1916 - landed in France with the 38th Battalion on 13 August 1916 - wounded on 11 January 1917 - invalided to England on 10 February 1917 - later served in reserve units and the Canadian Forestry Corps - returned to Canada on 14 December 1918.

(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; Anonymous, An Historical Sketch of the Seventy-Seventh Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force (Ottawa: War Publications Limited, 1926, p.89)

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