Pte 452968 Thomas McQuater MM CEF

[Roxy]

Pte 452968 Thomas McQuater MM - 4th Bn Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) - died on 11 Apr 1917 and is interred at Bois-Carre British Cemetery, France. His attestation papers indicate that he was born in Glasgow on 27 Mar 1879. His NOK was James McQuater from Saltcoats.

However, I can find no birth certificate (on Scotland's People) for this date; the only Thomas that I can find is my great-great uncle born in Glasgow on 4 Sep 1880; his son James was born in 1905 and emigrated - with his step-mum Jemima - to Canada in 1925.

Do any Pals have any information on Thomas, or the details surrounding his death (Vimy Ridge?)?

Thanks in advance,

Roxy

[sotonmate]

Roxy

Collectionscanada has the war diary in digital.It hasn't allowed me to place it here as a link though !

Sotonmate

[KennethB]

Roxy,

A few things that I can add.

Camp Niagara was Bulter Barracks located in Niagara on the Lake Ontario. http://en.wikipedia....er%27s_Barracks

4th Inf Battalion belonged to the Canadian 2nd Division.

Here is the for the 4th's war diary for 04/11/1917 http://data2.collect.../e001077952.jpg which is pg 7 for April 1917 (full diary can be seen at http://www.collectio...t/020152_e.html just search 4th Inf Batt)

The Battalion was in position at a place called Farbus Wood (just over Vimy Ridge) and was under enemy shelling.

Here is his Canadian Virtual War Memorial Page http://www.vac-acc.g...casualty=618254 Click the link to see a photo of him located there.

Here is the link for the page in the WW1 Book of Remembrance http://www.vac-acc.g...bww1/ww1288.jpg

This site also shows other casualities from that day http://wwii.ca/memor...homas-mcquater/

Finally you can contact www.collectionscanada.gc.ca to get a full copy of his military record.

Best of Luck

Ken

[Ken S.]

Here's more specific info on ordering his service records:

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-130-e.html?PHPSESSID=ma5o0sce7n7lgmvrfkvoojj550#g

[KennethB]

Roxy,

I was at the library today and found a book on Canadian Military Medal winners. Thomas was in it. It makes mention that it is listed in the London Gazette on May 11, 1917 2nd supp. Also Volume L/4498 (I believe this means Vol 50 pg 4498).

I'm not sure if there is a archive of the London Gazette or not. The book was The Military Medal: Canadian Recipients 1916-1922 by Harry Abbink (1987).

Ken

[KennethB]

Edit - The page number that I gave you was incorrect. It should be pg 4602 Supplement to the London Gazette Friday 11th May 1917

Here is the page image

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30064/supplements/4602

Ken

[Roxy]

Thanks, Ken.

Roxy

[GrandsonMichael]

Just a slight correction: the 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion was part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division.

Cheers,

Michael