Private Basil John Myers

Born on 25 November 1897 in Montreal, Quebec - son of Joseph and Mary Myers, Ottawa, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: present address same as mother; trade as student; single; currently a member of the 43rd Regiment, Duke of Cornwall's Own Rifles (one year); no previous military service; Roman Catholic; height of 5 feet 8.5 inches; chest of 34 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; blue eyes; light brown hair.

Joined the 77th Battalion, CEF, in Ottawa, Ontario, on 17 November 1915 (number 145450) - departed 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 - killed in action on 18 November 1916 - name inscribed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Myers'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; Anonymous, An Historical Sketch of the Seventy-Seventh Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force (Ottawa: War Publications Limited, 1926), p.127)