Robert Joseph "Buts" Deegan

 

May 8, 1891

Born in Brockville, Ontario to Richard and Jane (nee Hamilton) Deegan

 

Nov 4, 1914

Shown on the payroll for the 41st Regiment, Canadian Militia

 

Nov 9, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Number 59250 (temporary number 59)

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs Rachel Deegan (mother) of 77 Pearl St West, Brockville Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Brakeman

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø      Assigned to “A” Company

 

Nov 10, 1914

Removed from the 41st Regiment payroll

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St Seiriol at Folkestone

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked at Boulogne France and proceeded to St Omer and was eventually assigned to the Machine Gun Section with HW McBride and is listed in the dedication to his book A Rifleman Went to War

 

Oct 30, 1915

While he was in his dugout cleaning his rifle, he was instantly killed by an artillery shell that made a direct hit.

Ridge Wood Cemetery
Voormezeele Belgium 

His friend, Private Cyrus Carr, acted as a Pall Bearer when he was buried.

 


Although the letter above states that he was killed on October 29th, and the War Diary excerpt below indicates the same, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists his date of death as October 30th.

 

The 1914-15 Star and British War Medal are shown below.  The Victory Medal is missing, if you know of it's location, please contact the webmaster.

 

Robert Deegan grew up in Brockville, Ontario, as did his friend Private Cyrus Carr, and as noted in the newspaper articles, Pte Carr was with the burial party.  Through the efforts of the webmaster, they have been reunited through their medals as seen below

The Victory Medal is missing from Robert's set and the 1914-15 Star is missing from Cyrus Stewart Carr's set.  If you know of their location, please contact the webmaster

 


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