Sunday 26 February 2012

Private Alfred Henry Sawyer

Born on 25 February 1895 in Canterbury, Kent, England - son of Charles W. and Annie Sawyer, Ashford, Kent, England - brother of Mrs. K. Fuller, Kingston, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as riveter; single; currently a member of the 14th Regiment Princess of Wales' Own Rifles guard (fourteen months); no previous military service; Church of England; height of 5 feet 5.5 inches; chest of 34 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; brown eyes; brown hair.

Joined the 109th Battalion, CEF, in Lindsay, Ontario, on 11 November 1915 (number 724506) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 4 or 6 December 1916 - killed in action on 9 April 1917 - buried in Givenchy-en-Gohelle Canadian Cemetery (grave F.17), 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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