Friday 16 November 2012

Private George Pollitt

Born on 12 February 1895 in Altringham, England - next of kin listed as Joseph Bradley, Omemee, Ontario (no relations) - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: present address in Omemee, Ontario; trade as farmer; single; no current or previous military service; Methodist; height of 5 feet 6 inches; chest of 35.5 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; brown eyes; dark brown hair.

Joined the 109th Battalion, CEF, in Lindsay, Ontario, on 11 December 1915 (number 725015) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 4 or 6 December 1916 - declared missing, presumed dead, on 9 April 1917 - name inscribed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Pollitt'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)

2 comments:

Bob said...

Greetings Ken

I am slowly working on an service nominal roll for the 109th Battalion and swiping some information from your great blog. A substantial number of young 109th enlistees were actually Home Children. A good example is Pte. George Pollitt. Peterborough was a hub for Bernardo Children. The Joseph Bradley mentioned as a N.O.K. was a prominent farm owner in Omemee (George's employer). Pollitt's name can be found in the LAC Home Children data base. I have been researching the Home Children for a while and can pretty much identify them through their attestation papers.

Cheers
bob Richardson

C

Bob said...

Greetings Ken

George Pollitt was a Home Child (Barnardo). His N.O.K. was actually his employer, Joseph Bradley was a prominent Omemee area farmer. I am slowly building an active service Nominal Roll for the 109th Battalion and have found many of them underaged and Home Children. The Barnardo hubs were in Peterborough (girls) and Bellevile (boys). His name is included in the LAC Home children data base.

Cheers
Bob Richardson