Private James Grant Newkirk

Born on 16 June 1894 in Fairgrounds, Houghton, Norfolk, Ontario - son of James S. and Annie M. Newkirk, St. Thomas, Ontario - brother of Harry C., Grave M., Gladys M., and John A. Newkirk - at the time of his enlistment in 1916: present address same as mother; tin smith; single; currently a member of the 25th Regiment (two years); Methodist; height of 5 feet 9.75 inches; chest of 35 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; blue eyes; light brown hair.

Joined the 91st Battalion, CEF, in St. Thomas, Ontario, on 10 April 1916 (number 190248) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 20 or 21 August 1916 - wounded on 30 October 1917 - battalion report: "Severely wounded morning 30 Oct 17 while advancing with bn on P[asschendaele] Ridge, being hit in left side by fragment of enemy shell. Wounds immediately dressed and evaced to No. 3 CCS [Casualty Clearing Station] and later to No 6 Gen[eral] Hospt [Hospital] where DOW 5 Nov 17." - official report "'Died of Wounds' (Gunshot Wounds Back and Buttock) at No.6 General Hospital, Rouen" - died of those wounds on 5 November 1917 - buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension (grave P.III.L.1B), France.

(Many thanks to Paul Freeman for the photograph of Private Newkirk).

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; ibid, RG 31, Series C-1, Statistics Canada, Census of Canada, 1901; ibid, RG 150, Acc. 1992-93/314, War Graves Registry: Circumstances of Death; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; ibid, 19680229-003, Casualties List of A, B, C, and D Co., 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion; 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)