Friday 29 March 2013

Private William Rocheleau

Born on 13 April 1895 in Trenton, Ontario - son of Napoleon and Cordelia Rocheleau, Trenton, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1916: present address in Trenton, Ontario; trade as clerk; single; no current or previous military service; Roman Catholic; height of 5 feet 4 inches; chest of 34 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; blue eyes; auburn hair.

Joined the 155th Battalion, CEF, in Belleville, Ontario, on 31 January 1916 (number 636507) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 24 May 1917 - killed in action on 26 June 1917 - name inscribed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Rocheleau'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)

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