Michael Wait Lahey


Mar 8, 1898

Born in Swatnon, Vermont, USA, to Patrick and Margaret (nee Doxtater) Lahey

 

Mar 20, 1916

Shown on the payroll of the 156th Battalion

 

Oct 14, 1916

SOS (Struck Off Strength) the 156th Battalion as an Absentee

 It is noted that the “account not closed”

 

Oct 19, 1916

The 156th Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Oct 21, 1916

Attested into the 154th Battalion CEF in Barriefield (now part of Kingston), Ontario

 

Ø  Number 640004

Ø  Next of kin given as Patrick Lahey, father, 109 Sherwood St., Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Teamster

Ø  Previous military experience given as 6 months in the 156th Battalion CEF

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

 

On attesting he stated that he had been born in Ottawa, Ontario, not the USA

 

One note in the file indicates that he was transferred to the 154th Battalion with no indication of any punishment for being absent

 

The battalion trained in the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

 

Oct 25, 1916

Embarked the SS Mauretania in Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

The Embarkation Roll for the battalion indicates Private Lahey enlisted in Prescott, Ontario on March 27, 1916

 

Oct 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott to continue training

 

Jan 25, 1917

Transferred back to the 156th Battalion Witley to continue training with his original battalion

 

May 23, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

May 24, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Jun 26, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the 2nd Entrenching Battalion in Hersin

 

Jul 20, 1917

While still at the entrenching battalion, he was detailed to a work party near Lens.  While there the party came under an artillery barrage that killed 4 and wounded several others.  Private Lahey was one of those killed.  He was buried in the Bully Grenay Communal Cemetery Extension without having physically joined the 21st Battalion


 

 
Following the war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his sister, Miss K. Lahey, 109 Sherwood St., Ottawa, Ontario

 

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Patrick Lahey, at the same address


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