Friday 29 March 2013

Private Jean Baptiste Roberge

Born on 28 February 1897 in Eastview, Ontario - son of Henrie and Emilie Roberge, Eastview, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as laborer; single; no current or previous military service; Roman Catholic; height of 5 feet 3.25 inches; chest of 36 inches fully expanded; medium complexion; brown eyes; brown hair.

Joined the 77th Battalion, CEF, in Ottawa, Ontario, on 17 November 1915 (number 145469) - departed Canada for overseas on 19 June 1916 - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, in England on 6 July 1916 - struck off the strength of the 38th Battalion on 13 August 1916 - rejoined the 38th Battalion on 27 August or 29 November 1916 - killed in action on 26 June 1917 - name inscribed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Roberge'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; anonymous, An Historical Sketch of the Seventy-Seventh Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force (Ottawa: War Publications Limited, 1926), p.138)

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