Mar 17, 1897

Born in Montreal, Quebec to John Baptiste and Evangeline Lavigne

Mar 28, 1917

Attested into the 254^th Battalion CEF in Trenton, Ontario

Ø  Number 1093377

Ø  Next of kin given as John Baptiste Lavigne, father, 23 Boyer St., Montreal, Quebec

Ø  Previous occupation given as Steam Fitter

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

 
The battalion trained in the Belleville area

Apr 10, 1917

Sentenced to 5 days detention for an offence that was not recorded in the file

Jun 2, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jun 8, 1917

Sentenced to 1 day detention for being absent from parade while onboard ship

Jun 9, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Seaford where it was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training.  Private Lavigne was posted to “G” Company of the 6^th Reserve Battalion

Jun 12, 1917

Admitted to the Raven’s Croft Military Hospital in Seaford with suspected Mumps.  This diagnosis was later changed to read Tonsillitis

Jun 14, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jul 16, 1917

Awarded 14 days Field Punishment #2 and forfeited 2 days pay for being absent

Aug 9, 1917

Sentenced to 10 days Field Punishment #2 for being absent

Aug 22, 1917

Sentenced to 28 days detention for being absent while serving his field punishment

Aug 25, 1917

Admitted to the Parkhurst Detention Barracks, Isle of Wight, to serve his 28 day sentence

Sep 13, 1917

Released from detention 4 days early and rejoined the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion and arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 12 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Nov 17, 1917

After leaving the base depot Private Lavigne arrived at the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart

Nov 24, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp he joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line trenches east of Vimy Ridge and was assigned to “B” Company

Dec 1, 1917

Attached to the 182^nd Company, Royal Engineers for duty

Dec 21, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion from the engineers

Apr 29, 1918

During a trench raid by 19^th and 21^st Battalions on the enemy lines at Neuville Vitasse, Private Lavigne was wounded in his left leg and evacuated to the British 2/1 London Field Ambulance for first aid

Apr 30, 1918

Transferred to the No. 57 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment

May 7, 1918

After recovering from his leg wound, Private Lavigne rejoined the 21^st Battalion near Mercatel, France

Aug 8, 1918

During the 21^st Battalion’s capture of the town of Marcelcave, France, Private Lavigne was killed in action and buried in the Midway British Cemetery, south of Corbie, France.  In the spring of 1920, his body was exhumed and reburied in the Villers Bretonneau Military Cemetery, also near Corbie, France

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Evangeline Lavigne, 508 Duluth St. E., Montreal, Quebec

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, J.B. Lavigne, at the same address