Saturday, 28 April 2007

Private John Benkhe

Born on 25 October 1893 in Pembroke, Ontario - aon of Mrs. E. Benkhe, Pembroke, Ontario - recruitment form notes present address in Pembroke, Ontario, single, Roman Catholic, trade as munition worker, no current or previous military service, height of 6 feet 1 inches, chest of 37 inches, medium complexion, blue eyes, brown hair.

Conscripted into the 2nd Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment, on 18 January 1918 (number3320476) - taken on the 38th Battalion in France on 17 or 18 August 1918 - transferred to the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion on 25 August 1918.

Private Charles Morgan Benett

Born on 18 November 1894 in White Stone, Long Island, New York - next of kin listed Miss E.M. Wye, Brantford, Ontario - attestation form notes trade as electrical engineering, single, currently a member of the 38th Dufferin Rifles for three years, previously a member of the cadet corps at Lakefield Prep. School for three year and a member of the cadet corps at Brantford Collegiate Institute for two years, height of 5 feet 9.5 inches, chest of 36.5 inches, fair complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, Church of England.

Joined the 38th Battalion in Montreal, Quebec, on 29 March 1915 (number 411024) - transferred to the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on 16 July 1915 - transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 25 November 1915 in order to be commissioned.

Private William George Henry Bendall

Born on 23 April 1888 in London, England - son of M. and W. Bendall - husband of Ethelwyn L. Bendall, Sarnia, Ontario - attestation form notes trade as cooper, married, no current or previous military service, height of 5 feet 5 inches, chest of 35 inches, fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, Church of England.

Joined the 70th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Sarnia, Ontario, on 20 September 1915 (number 123569) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 26 or 27 June 1917 - died on 31 October 1917 of wounds received that day - buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Private Sylvain Belliveau

Born on 26 June 1895 in Rogersville, New Brunswick - son of Mrs. Susan Richards, Shediac, New Brunswick - attestation form notes present address in Shediac, New Brusnwick, trade as labourer, single, no current or previous military service, height of 5 feet 5 inches, chest of 33 inches, fair complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, Roman Catholic.

Joined the 97th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on 12 August 1916 (number 1033249) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 3 or 4 May 1917 - wounded (on duty) on 23 August 1918 - wounded on 3 September 1918 - invalided to England on 6 September 1918.

Private Arthur Belley

Born 11 September 1895 in Hull, Quebec - son of Mrs. Rosina Belley, Hull, Quebec - attestation form notes present address in Hull, Quebec, trade as picture operator, single, no current or previous military service, height of 4 feet 11.25 inches, chest of 33 inches, medium complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, Roman Catholic.

Joined the 154th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Ottawa, Ontario, on 16 March 1916 (number 633777) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 8 or 9 March 1918 - wounded on 30 September 1918 - invalided to England on 5 October 1918.

Private Pierre Bellefeuille

Born on 10 August 1895 in Hawkesbury, Ontario - son of Joseph Bellefeuille, Hawkesbury, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as labourer; single; no current or previous military service; Roman Catholic; height of 5 feet 6 inches; chest of 35 inches fully expanded; dark complexion; blue eyes; brown hair.

Joined the 77th Battalion, CEF, in Alexandria, Ontario, on 4 September 1915 (number 145226) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, in Bermuda on 6 December 1915 - transferred to the 69th Battalion, CEF, on 22 or 26 January 1916 - transferred to the 22nd Battalion, CEF, on 28 June or 15 September 1916 - wounded on 16 September 1916 - wounded on 15 December 1916 - transferred to the 4th Canadian Labour Battalion, CEF, on 10 June 1917 - rejoined the 22nd Battalion on 25 October 1917 - transferred to the 4th Canadian Labour Pool, CEF, on 11 February 1918 - transferred to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Works Battalion, CEF, on 24 February 1918 - rejoined the 22nd Battalion on 27 May 1918 - killed in action on 27 August 1918 - buried in Quebec Cemetery (grave C.8), 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; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org; Anonymous, An Historical Sketch of the Seventy-Seventh Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force (Ottawa: War Publications Limited, 1926), p.177)

Private Deriva Bellefeuille

Born on 25 June 1896 in Lochire, [?] - son of Napoleon Bellefeuille, Green Valley, Ontario - attestation form notes current address in Green Valley, Ontario, trade as farmer, single, currently serving with the 59th Stormont and Glengarry Regiment, no previous military service, height of 5 feet 9.5 inches, chest of 35 inches, medium complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair, Roman Catholic.

Joined the 154th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Alexandria, Ontario, on 11 January 1916 (number 633135) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 24 May 1917 - transferred to the Canadian Machine Gun Corps on 13 May 1918 - wounded on 19 October 1918.

Private Wilson Edward Bell

Born on 2 July 1899 in Yorkshire, England - son of Jean Bell, Montreal, Quebec - attestation form notes present address in Ottawa, Ontario, trade as electrician, single, no current or previous military service, height of 5 feet 8.5 inches, chest of 38 inches, medium complexion, hazel eyes, dark brown hair, Roman Catholic.

Joined the No. 2 Overseas Canadian Army Service Corps Depot in Ottawa, Ontario, on 30 June 1917 - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 18 August 1918 - transferred to the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion on 25 August 1918.

Sergeant Richard Bell

Born on 4 March 1893 in Dromeskin, Louth, Ireland - brother of James Bell, Toronto, Ontario - attestation form notes trade as night watchman, single, no current military service, previously served sixteen days with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Regiment and twenty-seven days with the Royal Canadian Regiment, height of 5 feet 9 inches, chest of 38 inches, dark complexion, grey eyes, black hair, Church of England.

Joined the 59th Battalion in Lindsay, Ontario, on 21 May 1915 - transferred to the 38th Battalion in Barriefield, Ontario, on 22 June 1915 (number 410683) - served with the battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France with the battalion on 13 August 1916 - killed in action on 30 October 1917 - name listed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Friday, 27 April 2007

Captain Gerald Gordon Bell, DFC

Born on 11 June 1890 in Ottawa, Ontario - son of Mrs. Sydney Bell, Ottawa, Ontario - attestation form notes trade as engineer, single, currently a member of the military, no previous military service.

Joined the 38th Battalion in Ottawa, Ontario, on 8 February 1915 - served with the battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France with the battalion on 13 August 1916 - sent to England and seconded to the Royal Flying Corps / Royal Air Force from 9 January 1917 to 6 May 1919.

Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Awarded the Legion d'Honneur.

Awarded the Croix de Guerre (France).

Private Frederick Russell Bell

Born on 17 October 1894 in St. Vincent Township, Ontario - son of James E. and Margery Saphona (or Saprona) Bell (nee White), Meaford, Ontario (or Rocklyn, Ontario) - attestation form notes trade as farmer, single, no current or previous military service, height of 5 feet 10.5 inches, chest of 36.5 inches, ruddy complexion, brown eyes, dark hair, Presbyterian.

Joined the 147th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Meaford, Ontario, on 26 March 1916 (number 838834) - transferred to the 58th Canadian Infantry Battalion on 17 or 22 February 1917 - wounded on 2 or 26 October 1917 - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion on 12 or 13 August 1918 - rejoined the 58th Battalion on 9 September 1918 - killed in action on 29 September 1918 - buried in Anneux British Cemetery, France.

Private Chester Nathaniel Bell

Born on 8 February 1897 - son of Mrs. Nellie Bell, Hamilton, Ontario - attestation form notes present address in Dutton, Ontario, trade as farming, single, no current or previous military service, height of 5 feet 6 inches, chest of 30.25 inches, fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, Methodist.

Joined the 91st Canadian Infantry Battalion in St. Thomas, Ontario, on 23 November 1915 (number 189459) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 20 or 21 August 1916 - struck off the strength of the battalion on 16 June 1919.

Lance-Corporal Charles Rudolph Bell

Born on 10 September 1888 in Toronto, Ontario - son of Mrs. Lee Bell, Toronto, Ontario - attestation form notes trade as carpenter, single, no current or previous military service, height of 5 feet 4 inches, chest of 34.5 inches, ruddy complexion, blue eyes, auburn hair, Baptist.

Joined the 59th Canadian Infantry Battalion - transferred to the 38th Battalion in Barriefield, Ontario, on 29 July 1915 (number 410682) - served with the battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France with the battalion on 13 August 1916 - killed in action on 1 September 1918 - buried in Wancourt British Cemetery, France.

Private Burritt Bell

Born on 21 June 1894 in Smith, Ontario - son of Thomas George Bell, Peterborough, Ontario - recruitment form notes present address in Peterborough, Ontario, single, Baptist, trade as butter maker, no current or previous military service, height of 5 feet 6 inches, chest of 34.5 inches, dark complexion, blue eyes, black hair.

Conscripted into the 1st Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment, in Kingston, Ontario, on 7 January 1918 (number 4020587) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 17 or 18 August 1918 - wounded on 2 September 1918 - killed in action on 4 November 1918 - buried in Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery, France.

Private George Belk

Born on 28 February 1895 in Toronto, Ontario - son of Elizabeth Belk, Toronto, Ontario - attestation form notes present address in Toronto, Ontario, trade as rubber worker, single, no current military service, previously served 1.5 years with the Canadian Army Medical Corps, height of 5 feet 6 inches, chest of 34 inches, fair complexion, gray eyes, fair hair, Presbyterian.

Joined the 126th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Toronto, Ontario, on 17 January 1916 (number 775603) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 4 or 6 December 1916 - invalided sick to England on 18 April 1917.

Thursday, 26 April 2007

Private Lawrence Belfoy

Born on 26 March 1894 in Ottawa, Ontario - son of Robert and Louisa Gower Belfoy, Ottawa, Ontario - attestation form notes trade as steam engineer, single, height of 5 feet 8 inches, chest of 37 inches, swarthy complexion, grey eyes, brown hair, Roman Catholic.

Joined the 38th Battalion in Ottawa, Ontario, on 19 March 1915 (number 410531) - transferred to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion on 25 August 1915 - killed in action on 29 July 1916 - buried in Woods Cemetery, Belgium.

Private James Edward Belcher

Born on 7 October 1885 in Belleville, Ontario - husband of Beatrice Belcher, Belleville, Ontario - attestation form notes present address in Belleville, Ontario, trade as boilermaker, married, no current or previous military service, height of 5 feet 8.5 inches, chest of 38 inches, fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, Presbyterian.

Joined the 155th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Belleville, Ontario, on 14 July 1916 (number 637190) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 8 or 9 March 1918 - invalided sick to England on 26 March 1918.

Died in April 1923.

Private Emile Belanger

Joined the 38th Battalion on 8 May 1915 (number 410022) - served with the battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France with the battalion on 13 August 1916 - transferred to the 1st Tram Company, Canadian Engineers, on 23 November 1917 - wounded on 2 May 1918.

Private Moses Belair

Born on 22 July 1894 in Vankleek Hill, Ontario - son of David Belair, Alexandria, Ontario - attestation form notes trade as labourer, single, no current military service, previously served one year with the "Canadian Volunteers", height of 5 feet 3.5 inches, chest of 35 inches, dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, Roman Catholic.

Joined the 59th Canadian Infantry Battalion - transferred to the 38th Battalion in Barriefield, Ontario, on 23 April 1915 (number 410681) - served with the battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France with the battalion on 13 August 1916 - transferred to the 12th Light Trench Mortar Battery on 3 May 1918 - wounded on 30 July 1918 - wounded on 27 September 1918 - rejoined the 38th Battalion on 13 November 1918 - struck off the strength of the battalion on 16 June 1919.

Private Cleophas Belair

Born on 19 September 1895 in Ottawa, Ontario - son of Mrs. M. Belair, Hull, Quebec - recruitment form notes present address in Hull, Quebec, single, Roman Catholic, trade as salesman, no current or previous military service, height of 5 feet 3.25 inches, chest of 33 inches, fresh complexion, blue eyes, black hair.

Conscripted into the 2nd Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment, in Ottawa, Ontario, on 14 February 1918 (number 3320613) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion in France on 9 or 10 August 1918 - struck off the strength of the battalion on 16 June 1919.