CEFRG – Canadian Expeditionary Force Research Group 1914-1919
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The Grant Brothers in the Great War
J.D. and Mary Ellen Grant of Smith Falls, Ontario had two sons serve in the Great War. The elder boy, Donald enlisted first and served with the 38th Battalion. He was wounded on the Somme. Younger brother, Baxter served in France for only three months, in the 2nd Battalion. Only one of the Grant Brothers…
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Private Jacob Isaac in the Great War
Private Jacob Isaac of the Six Nations Reserve 739554 was born on 3 December 1893. He was the son of Silas and Lucy Isaac, Ohsweken, Tuscarora Township, Ontario. Jacob enlisted on 29 November 1915, with the 114th (Haldimand) Battalion. Also known as “Brock’s Rangers.” Recruited in Haldimand County, and on the Six Nations Reserve. Almost…
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Bombardier Robert Elmer Adams in the Great War
Bombardier Robert Elmer Adams 7721, is born on 18 February 1885, in Durham, Ontario. Son of Thomas and Maria Adams, of Pontypool, Ontario. He is a Brakeman. Began his service by attesting 5 February 1915, in Toronto. Firstly, joins the 7th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Robert stood 5’10” tall. He has fair complexion. Robert also has…
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29th (Vancouver) Battalion in the Great War
Tobin’s Tigers 29th Vancouver Battalion organized in October 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Seymour Tobin. Also known as “Tobin’s Tigers”. Lieutenant-Colonel H S Tobin Tobin a veteran of the R.N.W.M.P., the 72nd Regiment and the South African War (Lord Strathcona’s Horse). The 29th Vancouver Battalion mobilized at Vancouver, and also recruited in Vancouver,…
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Signaller Guy Wray Garrett in the Great War
Signaller Guy Wray Garrett 678042 was born 5 November 1894 in Toronto. He resided at 264 Clifton Street, Toronto. Guy was a Hardware merchant, working for his father. Parents George and Alice Garrett resided at 582 College Street, Toronto. During his training in England, he will marry Ethel, of 63 Knatts Green Road, Leyton East,…
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Lieutenant Raymond Collishaw in the Great War
Lieutenant Raymond Collishaw joined the Royal Naval Air Service (R.N.A.S.) in January 1916. He began as a probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant, and eventually commands the famous Black Flight (No.3 Squadron, R.N.A.S.). Raymond Collishaw was the first pilot to claim six victories in one day. He was the highest scoring ace of the R.N.A.S. to fly the…
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Capitaine Joseph Henri Chaballe in the Great War
Capitaine Joseph Henri Chaballe was born in Belgium and served with the 22nd (French Canadian) Battalion in the Great War. Chaballe rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel with the battalion commonly referred to as the “Van Doos” (from vingt-deux, meaning twenty-two in French). Joseph’s ‘D’ Company captured the village of Courcelette during the Battle of…
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Rittmeister Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen in the Great War
The Greatest Aviator that ever lived. Since the dawn of aviation in 1903. Rittmeister Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen. While alive, he zigzagged his way over the skies of the Western Front. Then, encountered a fatal bullet over Vaux-sur-Somme. After his death, he zigzagged his way beneath the ground. Until, he found his ultimate, and…
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Lieutenant William Rider Rider in the Great War
Honourary Lieutenant William Rider Rider the third, and final official Canadian War Photographer of the Great War. Many sources incorrectly refer to Rider being wounded during the Great War. No such thing occurred, though he did put himself in the position to have been wounded on many occasions. The so-called wounding, actually an indiscretion for…
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Major John Pollands Girvan in the Great War
John Pollands Girvan 27071 was born 28 November 1887 in Kingarth, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. He belonged to an active militia when he attested on 14 September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec. His next-of-kin was his sister, Joan M. Girvan. John stood 6′ tall, with fresh complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. In 1907, he became…