Eddie Hubert DesRoches, MM

 

 

Jul 16, 1896

Born at Miscouche Prince Edward Island

 

May 1, 1915

Attested into the 55th Battalion at Charlottetown PEI (Prince Edward Island) 

Ø      Number 444453

Ø      Next of kin given as Hubert DesRoches (father) of Miscouche PEI

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø      Previous military experience given as 3 years with the 82nd Regiment Canadian Militia

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø      Assigned to “C” Company

 

Jun 15, 1915

The Battalion moved to Valcartier Quebec for training

 

Oct 30, 1915

Embarked the RMS Corsican at Montreal Quebec

 

 

Nov 9, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to the Bramshott Camp

 

Apr 7, 1916

Transferred to the Brigade Signal Base with the 39th Reserve Battalion

 

Jan 4, 1917

TOS (Taken On Strength) the 6th Reserve Battalion

 

Feb 5, 1917

Will made out leaving his estate to his mother, Mrs Hubert DesRoches of Miscouche Prince Edward Island

 

Feb 7, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Feb 8, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in France and TOS the 21st Battalion

 

Feb 15, 1917

Joined the 21st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in the front lines in the Thelus Section, within sight of Vimy Ridge.  He was posted to the Signals Section

 

May 1, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

 

In July 1917, the 21st Battalion was headquartered in a convent in the town of
Bouvigny.  Next to that convent was a church and a number of men climbed into the
bell tower and carved their names on the walls there.  Below is Private Desroches’
name as he carved it.  Thank you to Patrice Machin for sharing that image




Sep 12, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

 

Sep 24, 1917

Rejoined the Battalion from leave

 

Aug 31, 1918

Appointed to rank of Lance Corporal to replace L/Cpl West 60046, who had been promoted

 

Oct 14, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

 

Nov 2, 1918

Rejoined the Battalion from leave

 

Feb 11, 1919

Awarded the Military Medal per London Gazette # 31173

 

 

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia at Havre

 

 

Apr 4, 1919

Proceeded to the Witley Camp

 

Apr 30, 1919

He was presented with his Military Medal by Brig-Gen R Rennie, CB, CMG, MVO, DSO on parade at the Witley Camp

 

May 15, 1919

Embarked the RMS Caronia at Liverpool

 

 

May 22, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded by train to Kingston Ontario

 

May 24, 1919

Discharged at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 277348

Ø      Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge General Delivery Kingston Ontario 

His medals card shows no indication that his British War Medal nor the Victory Medals were ever sent to him.  There is no date, nor the usual check mark to indicate they were sent out.

 

Oct 20, 1920

Married to Mary Arsenault at Rumford Maine, USA

 

Dec 30, 1927

Eddie Hubert DesRoches was tragically killed while working at the Oxford Paper Company in Rumford, Maine, when a boiler he was working on exploded.



He was buried in the St. John's Cemetery, Rumford, Maine


Below is from the August 1937 issue of the Communiqué, the 21st Battalion Association post war newsletter



Return to Tribute list

Home

Contact