54th Batt. Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)

[Janey]

I would like to find whatever I can about this battalion and in particular what service it saw in WW1 up to April 1917. My particular interest is to find what happened to one soldier, Arthur Burdett Francis, who died on 9 April 1917, age 36. He was an Englishman who emigrated, either to the USA or to Canada sometime in the 1900s, but nevertheless enlisted to serve in WW1 in a Canadian Regiment. He is commemorated in the Givenchy cemetery and the Vimy Ridge is mentioned. So far I have been unable to find a war diary to cover this period. Can anyone please help?

Janey

[dundeesown]

His service record may help.

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=396336&interval=20&&PHPSESSID=71o59vuof6j0pksoe40t4frgu2

Gary

[ulsterlad2]

54th Battalion Diary from August 1916 to April 1919.

[kenmorrison]

Canadian Battalions War Diaries are at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/02015202_e.html

Ah someone has alraedy got there.

[gary thomson]

Hi Janey, here is a link to a photo and gravemarker for Arthur.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/collections/virtualmem/photos/618518

Gary.

[MarlboroughHouse]

Janey, I am also researching Arthur Francis as he is listed on the War Memorial of the school that I teach at and am currently researching. I was able to get this information from Du Ruvigny's: born in Stockross, Newbury. He was educated at Marlborough House School, Reading which no longer exists and then by a private tutor. Apparently he was a fruit rancher in British Columbia. He enlisted in 1915 and was killed at Vimy Ridge 9 April 1917.

Hope that helps.

Paul

[Phil Evans]

Paul,

If you haven't already found them:

Circumstances of Death

Grave Registration

Click on the next image arrow for the back of the cards.

Phil