Private Thomas John Skahan

Born on 30 August 1886 in Montreal, Quebec - husband of Margaret Skahan, Ottawa, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: present address same as wife; trade as insurance agent; married; no current or previous military service; Presbyterian; height of 5 feet 9 inches; chest of 36 inches fully expanded; medium dark complexion; blue eyes; dark brown hair.

Joined the 77th Battalion, CEF, in Ottawa, Ontario, on 24 November 1915 (number 145522) - departed Canada for overseas on 19 June 1916 - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, in England on 6 July 1916 - 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 Skahan'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; Anonymous, An Historical Sketch of the Seventy-Seventh Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force (Ottawa: War Publications Limited, 1926), p.143; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)