Patrick Thomas Belanger

Thank you to Bruce Kettles for providing the service file

 

Feb 4, 1895

Born to Anselone and Caroline (nee Bourdeau) Belanger at Bourget Ontario

 

Oct 8, 1917

Married to Nellie (Ellen) Wood at Ottawa Ontario 

Both the name Nellie and Ellen are used in the Marriage Licence, but in different places.  Throughout the service file she is referred to as Nellie

 

Nov 6, 1917

Medical examination performed under the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917.  He was found fit for service

 

Jan 23, 1918

Conscripted under the MSA of 1917 into the 2nd Depot Battalion, EOR (Eastern Ontario Regiment) at Ottawa Ontario 

Ø      Number 3320178

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs P Belanger, wife, of 140 Nepean St, Ottawa, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Barber

Ø      Previous military service given as 6 months in a USA Battery

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic 

His MSA papers erred with his age, as it is shown as February 4, 1894, not 1895 as is recorded on his birth registration

 

Jan 30, 1918

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal

 

Feb 12, 1918

Embarked the SS Lapland at Halifax Nova Scotia as part of the 1st Draft of the 2nd Depot Battalion EOR

 

Feb 24, 1918

Disembarked at Glasgow Scotland and proceeded to the Seaford Camp

 

Feb 25, 1918

On arrival at Seaford the entire Draft was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 6th Reserve Battalion and he reverted to the rank of Private

 

Jun 10, 1918

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Jun 11, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples France and TOS the 21st Battalion

 

Jun 17, 1918

Joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) at Aubin St Vaast

 

Jun 23, 1918

Joined the 21st Battalion in Divisional Reserve at Bretencourt and assigned to “A” Company

 

Aug 5, 1918

During the night of August 5th-6th, the 21st Battalion was moving forward in preparation to launch an attack when Pte Belanger was killed by the explosion of a 5.9 inch German artillery shell.




Longueau British Cemetery
Somme France

 

 
Above is from the January 1938 issue of the Communiqé, the 21st Battalion Association post war newsletter describing how Pte Belanger met his death, and below is from the Battalion's War Diary

 

 

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs Nellie Belanger, at 140 Nepean St, Ottawa Ontario 

A second Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs Caroline Belanger, at Bourget Ontario 


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