Friday 29 March 2013

Private John George Roll

Born on 23 March 1891 in Newcastle, England - son of Janet Roll, Wellington-on-Tyne, England - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as boiler maker; single; no current or previous military service; Church of England; height of 5 feet 7 inches; chest of 34.5 inches fully expanded; light brown complexion; blue eyes; light brown hair.

Joined the 38th Battalion, CEF, in Ottawa, Ontario, on 8 May 1915 (number 410393) - served with the 38th Battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - 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 Roll'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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