Wednesday 18 January 2012

Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Rowat

Born on 19 August 1878 or 1888 in Winchester, Ontario - son of the Reverend Andrew Rowat and Margaret McKenzie Rowat, St. Lambert, Quebec - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as brick company manager; single; no current military service; previously served with the Duke of Connaught's Canadian Hussars (ten years previously as a provisional lieutenant); Presbyterian; height of 5 feet 4 inches; chest of 34.5 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; blue eyes; brown hair - at the time of his enlistment in 1916: trade as accountant; currently a member of the 97th Regiment; previously served with the Huntingdon Borderers (one year) and the Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars (four years).

Joined the Divisional Cyclists, CEF, as a private in Toronto, Ontario, on 4 September 1915 (number 540450) - [then] - joined the 159th Battalion, CEF, in Haileybury, Ontario, as a lieutenant on 14 January 1916 - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 30 November 1916 - attached to the 182nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers, on 19 December 1916 - rejoined the 38th Battalion on 11 April 1917 - killed in action on 28 June 1917 - buried in Villers Station Cemetery (grave X.D.2), 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)

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