Private Thomas Augustus Arcand

Born on 12 January 1889 in South Gower, Ontario - husband of Mrs. Thomas Arcand, Kemptville, Ontario - attestation form notes trade as farmer, married, not now nor previously a member of the military, height of 5 feet 6.5 inches, chest of 37.5 inches, dark complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair, Roman Catholic.

Joined the 156th Canadian Infantry Battalion on 11 March 1916 (number 639859) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 24 May 1917 - wounded on 30 October 1917 - rejoined the battalion on 4 December 1917 - invalided sick to England on 6 January 1918 - rejoined the battalion on 5 April 1918 - wounded on 28 May 1918 - died of these wounds on 29 May 1918 - buried in Pernes British Cemetery, France.

(Many thanks to Karen Lara for the photograph of Pte Arcand.)

(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)

Private Peter Leo Brennan

Born on 26 October 1889 in Arnprior, Ontario - son of Mrs. Alice M. Brennan, Arnprior, Ontario - enlistment papers provide the following: trade as lumberman, single, no current or previous military service, Roman Catholic, height of 5 feet 7.5 inches, chest of 36 inches fully expanded, fair complexion, hazel eyes, light brown hair.

Joined the 59th Canadian Infantry Battalion on 5 April 1915 - transferred to the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Barriefield, Ontario, on 22 June 1915 (number 410035) - 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 13 June 1917 - name listed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Brennan's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that I took in August 2012). (Updated with a scroll submitted by Michael Brennan, Pte Brennan's nephew.)

(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)

Sergeant Alexander Stewart, DCM, MM

Born on 12 July 1886 in Croy, Nairnshire, Scotland - husband of Mary Stewart, Brantford, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1916: present address same as wife; trade as police constable; married; currently serving with the 38th Regiment Dufferin Rifles of Canada; previously served with the Highland Garrison Artillery (four years); Presbyterian; height of 6 feet 0 inches; chest of 39 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; brown eyes; brown hair.

Joined the 215th Battalion, CEF, in Brantford, Ontario, on 6 March 1916 (number 270005) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 27 or 28 March 1918 - struck off the strength of the 38th Battalion on 16 June 1919.

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal - official citation: "For gallantry and devotion to duty during operations resulting in the capture of Valenciennes and towns east of that city, from 27th October to 5th November, 1918. When the company was advancing in artillery formation from St. Saulve, on 2nd November, it suddenly came under severe machine gun fire and a heavy enemy barrage. He moved across the entire company frontage twice, and by his disregard of safety set a splendid example to all." - unit recommendation dated 26 December 1918: "For Gallantry during operations near Valenciennes (Peace Despatch)."

Awarded the Military Medal - no official citation - unit recommendation dated November 1918: "For gallantry during operation around Valenciennes from Nov. 1 to 5/18."

Stewart later served as the Chief of Police in Barrie, Ontario, from 1925 to 1945.

(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; Canadian War Museum, 19680229-001, Manu 58C 1 2.18, Honours and Awards, 38th Battalion (Records of recommendations for honours and awards and mentioned in dispatches 19161121 19190117))

(Thanks to Darcy Murray for the information and photograph of Police Chief Stewart.)

Corporal Percy Cass

Born on 20 August 1890 in West Hartlepool, County Durham, England - emigrated to Canada in July 1910 with his two brothers and joined by his father (Henry Colburn Cass), mother (Alice Emma (nee Dye)), sister, and younger brother, all of West Hartlepool - husband of Lillian Maud Cass (nee McCarthy), Toronto, Ontario (formerly of West Hartlepool) (married on 2 November 1912) - father of Violet Lillian Cass (born on 28 July 1913 in Toronto, Ontario) - enlistment records provide the following: present address same as wife (218 Augusta Avenue, Toronto), trade as porter, married, no current or previous military service, Church of England, height of 5 feet 5.75 inches, chest of 37 inches fully expanded, fair complexion, grey eyes, red hair.

Attempted to enlist in Toronto, Ontario, on 23 August 1914 but was rejected for medical problems - joined the 166th Battalion, CEF, in Toronto, Ontario, on 28 January 1916 (number 669065) - departed Halifax, Nova Scotia, onboard SS Olympic with the 166th Battalion - arrived in Liverpool, England, on 19 October 1916 - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 27 November 1916 - invalided sick (influenza) to No. 7 Canadian Stationary Hospital at Le Havre on 17 December 1916 - wounded (gas poisoning) on 26 March 1917 and sent to No. 12 Canadian Field Ambulance - transferred to No. 13 Canadian Field Ambulance on 3 April 1917 - rejoined the 38th Battalion on 7 April 1917 - promoted to lance-corporal on 6 June 1917 - promoted to corporal on 8 July 1917 - died of wounds on 23 August 1917 at No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station - buried in Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension (grave III.D.44), France.

(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; email, Paul Hodgson, 14 Feb 2017)

(My sincerest thanks to Corporal Cass's grandon, Paul Hodgson, for sharing the images and additional information for this entry).

Private William John Chesney

Born on 8 August 1897 in Lakehurst, Ontario - husband of Lillian Maude Chesney, Peterborough, Ontario - recruitment records provide the following: present address same as wife, married, Methodist, trade as student at Peterborough Collegiate Institute, no current or previous military service, height of 5 feet 4 inches, chest of 42 inches fully expanded, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair.

Conscripted into the 1st Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment, in Kingston, Ontario, on 3 January 1918 (number 3055163) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 10 or 11 June 1918 - struck off the strength of the 38th Battalion on 2 March 1919.

Died on 27 July 1953 in Peterborough, Ontario. Buried in Lakefield Cemetery on 30 July 1953.

(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; email, George Allison, 31 Jan 2017)