Monday 7 September 2009

Private Melville Alfred Hastings

Born on 3 January 1896 in Hastings, Sussex, England - son of Alfred and Mary Elizabeth Miller (nee Kent) (family name changed from Miller to Hastings around 1910) - next of kin listed as Mrs. [?] MacDonald, Ann Arbor, Michigan - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as student, single, no current military service, previously served with the Queen's University Canadian Officers' Training Corps, Church of England, height of 5 feet 6 inches, chest of 40 inches fully expanded, fair complexion, brown eyes, brown hair.

Joined the 38th Battalion, CEF, in Montreal, Quebec, on 3 April 1915 (number 411125) - transferred to Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, CEF, on 17 July 1915 - transferred to the 52nd Battalion, CEF, on 29 August 1918 - commissioned as a Lieutenant at some point after leaving 38th Battalion - wounded on 28 September 1918 - died of wounds on 3 October 1918 - buried in Etaples Military Cemetery (grave XLVIII.A.4), France.

(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)

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