Arthur J Taylor, deserted from CEF but then arrested at Valcartier

[knittinganddeath]

Arthur J Taylor, an American, got a lifetime sentence for murder in Oklahoma in 1908.

He escaped from prison and attested in Kamloops, British Columbia, in March 1916.

His service file notes he went AWOL on 1 July 1916 and was discharged as a deserter on 27 July 1916.

But then, according to newspaper reports, Taylor was arrested at Valcartier at the end of August and extradited to the United States. How could he have deserted in early July but then been at Valcartier in late August and expecting to be sent over to Europe (according to a letter he wrote and posted in August)? Could he have enlisted again under a different name? The newspaper articles do not mention if he was using a pseudonym at the time of his arrest.

Based on DOB, place of birth, address of NOK, and a variety of newspaper articles, I am reasonably certain that the man in the service file is the same one who got arrested in Valcartier and who committed the murder in Oklahoma. But would welcome anyone who wants to poke holes in these connections, since that would probably simplify the story.

Thanks for any help!

[Tawhiri]

The nominal roll for the 172nd Battalion shows that they sailed for Europe from Halifax, Nova Scotia on 25 October 1916. Given the battalion was formed in Kamloops, British Columbia, they presumably had to travel from Kamloops, BC to Halifax, NS at some point before they embarked, so perhaps he deserted enroute. Unfortunately it appears that the war diaries of the 172nd Battalion have not yet been located, which is perhaps not surprising as they were absorbed by the 24th Reserve Battalion on 1 January 1917 to provide reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field.

Edited 9 September by Tawhiri

[knittinganddeath]

18 hours ago, Tawhiri said:

Given the battalion was formed in Kamloops, British Columbia, they presumably had to travel from Kamloops, BC to Halifax, NS at some point before they embarked, so perhaps he deserted enroute.

Thank you, that would make sense.

[FROGSMILE]

7 minutes ago, knittinganddeath said:

Thank you, that would make sense.

Probably a train jumper at a guess.  They used to wait until the train slowed to go around a bend.

[knittinganddeath]

12 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said:

They used to wait until the train slowed to go around a bend.

Speaking from experience? Sounds like it could be sort of fun, as long one landed on a soft patch of grass...

[FROGSMILE]

46 minutes ago, knittinganddeath said:

Speaking from experience? Sounds like it could be sort of fun, as long one landed on a soft patch of grass...

I couldn’t possibly comment.  Very much a gamble for daytime only.  Less risky on a London bus though 😜

Edited 10 September by FROGSMILE