Pte 2448422 John Keir , 1st Bn Canadian Infantry kia 30 Aug 1918

[patrick anderson]

I am researching the Forfarshire born  Scottish soldier   Pte   2448422 John Keir , 1st Bn  Canadian Infantry (west  Ont.  Regiment) killed in action on 30th August 1918 and listed on  CWGC index buried at  Upton wood Cemetery, Hendecourt -Les - Cagnicourt, Pas  de Calais ,  France.  He is listed on the family headstone in FRIOCKHEIM in Forfarshire (now Angus Scotland ) and on the Friockheim village war memorial as his parents moved from their farm at  Fearn and he emigrated to Canada during early 1914 and his attestation papers  are dated 1917 and he gave his birth year as  1884 when I fact his date of birth was  4th October 1883.  I presume he moved his date of birth as they would be looking for Younger men !

I see that his parents in  Scotland were sent his medals awarded but it says  NOT ELIGIBLE FOR   Star which I presume would be 1915 Star but he only enlisted in 1917 .  I see also that his next of kin were sent the  Scroll and Memorial Plaque and the Canadian  Memorial  Cross as well .

I see that he first was posted to the 21st Regiment , "B " company  CCF on 27th June 1917 and then  transferred to the 4th  Canadian  Reserve Bn and then posted to the  1st Battalion and his war started ……..

Any info on the other topics and what Battle would he have been in action on 30th August 1918 when he was killed in action and there would be others who fell in action that date from his Battalion etc

 

thanks for your help and assistance

Patrick w anderson

[Acknown]

The 1st Battalion's War Diary is here: http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/CollectionSearch/Pages/record.aspx?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=1883205&showdigital=1. The page for 30 Aug 18 is here: http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/CollectionSearch/Pages/record.aspx?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=2005883&showdigital=1#1-68

Acknown

[sotonmate]

John's unit was a part of  1st Canadian Brigade of 1st Canadian Division, which was assembled with other Canadian Divisions under the British 1st Army for an attack at the Battle of the Scarpe (2nd Arras) around the end of August and early Sep 1918.

As you will see from the war Diary referred to by Acknown there was some intensity in the fighting, resulting in many Canadian casualties, but giving a good ground-gaining outcome for the Allied forces.

The CWGC website for Upton Wood Cemetery lists men of the 1st Battalion killed around 30/8 to 3/9/1918. John is shown as KIA on 1/9/1918.

[GraemeClarke]

Hi

 

His casualty card

 

Regards,

 

Graeme

[patrick anderson]

thank you all for your great knowledge and I never knew that the Canadian war dairy was on the Canadian Gov website free to view etc.   Thanks too for the casualty card too and it looks like Pte  Keir and all the casualties of 30th Aug 1918 were all buried on 1 Sept 1918 per CWGC register date . 

 

best wishes to you all and a great help  you all have been , I can now submit a file to the  Scottish National  War Memorial at the Edinburgh castle

 

Patrick w anderson

[esco]

Arbroath & District Roll of Honour give parents address as Thistle Cottage Friockheim .

                                                                                   Regards .

[patrick anderson]

thanks  esco , yes I have that book on Arbroath and recently found the cottage still exists in the village of Friockheim near  Arbroath .   Strange pte  Keir is not listed in the  other Arbroath rol of honour book that does have awards etc and no photos

 

thanks 

pat w anderson

[patrick anderson]

I should have notified  you all that the  Trustees of the  Scottish National  War Memorial  at the castle in  Edinburgh  accepted  last year  the Great  War casualty Pte   Keir,  on to the  Scots  serving with the  Canadian Infantry  in WW1 roll

Their roll of honour  (book on view at the   SNWM at the  Castle  should have  by this time should have been undated and their website too showing  Pte  Keir listed

 

thank you very much 

kind regards

patrick w anderson