Jan 27, 1898

Born in Vankleek Hill, Ontario

Nov 24, 1916

Attested into the 240^th Battalion in Renfrew, Ontario 

Ø      Number 1042432

Ø      Next of kin given as Mr. Joseph Craite, father, Kirkhill, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic

May 3, 1917

Embarked the SS Megantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

May 14, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Seaford where the soldiers were absorbed into the 7^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Sep 12, 1917

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 13, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 42 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Sep 27, 1917

Left the CIBD and joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Villers Au Bois

Oct 18, 1917

Left the CCRC and joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Ourton, north west of Arras

Nov 3, 1917

On this date the 21^st Battalion moved into the front line at Passchendaele and the first night were subjected to fierce enemy fighting and artillery barrages.  Private Craite was killed in this action. 

Following that action, his remains could not be located and he is commemorated on the walls of the Menin Gate for those WW1 soldiers who were killed in Belgium and have no known grave.

When the war ended the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Joe Craite, RR #1, Box 40, Dalkeith, Ontario

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Mr. Joseph Craite, at the same address