Private Henry Nile

Born on 4 May 1893 in Ottawa, Ontario - brother of Mrs. Mary Gorman (wife of Gerald Gorman), Ottawa, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: teamster; single; currently a member of the 43rd Duke of Cornwall's Own Rifles; no previous military service; Roman Catholic; height of 5 feet 4.5 inches; chest of 36 inches fully expanded; ruddy complexion; hazel eyes; brown hair.

Joined the 38th Battalion, CEF, in Ottawa, Ontario, on 20 April 1915 (number 410373) - served with the 38th Battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France with the 38th Battalion on 13 August 1916 - wounded on 30 October 1917 - rejoined the 38th Battalion on 4 January 1918 - declared missing, presumed dead, on 10 August 1918 - name inscribed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

Recommended for an unnamed decoration, but no award made - unit recommendation dated 3 July 1917: "He performed valuable work while acting as a Battn. runner during attack on La Coulotte and Avion."

(Updated with a photo of Pte Nile'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; Canadian War Museum, 19680229-001, Manu 58C 1 2.18, Honours and Awards, 38th Battalion (Records of recommendations for honours and awards and mentioned in dispatches 19161121 19190117))