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Jan 23, 1896
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Born in Ste-Anne-de-Prescott, Ontario to Andrew
Duncan and Flora (nee Bethune) McRae
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Oct 19, 1914
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Shown on the payroll of the 42nd
Lanark and Renfrew Regiment, Canadian Militia
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Nov 6, 1914
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Attested into the 21st Battalion in
Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 59739 (temporary number 457)
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs. Flora McRae, mother, Ste-Anne-de-Prescott,
Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Bank Clerk
o His former employer was later noted as the Bank of Ottawa, Pembroke,
Ontario
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
Ø Assigned to “D” Company
o This was later reorganized into “B” Company
The battalion trained in Kingston over the
winter of 1914-15
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Nov 10, 1914
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Taken off the 42nd Regiment’s
payroll
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport, England and the
battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training
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Aug 6, 1915
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Admitted to the St. Martin’s Plains Tent
Hospital with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)
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Sep 2, 1915
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Transferred to the Depot Company while in
hospital
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Sep 4, 1915
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Discharged to duty from hospital
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Sep 9, 1915
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Transferred back to “B” Company from
the Depot Company
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St Seiriol in Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the
battalion proceeded to St. Omer
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Sep 15, 1916
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During the 21st Battalion’s
advance at Courcelette, the battalion had a German strong point in a sugar refinery as
their objective. The attack was the first
time the battalion had advanced with tanks for support, and the fighting was very fierce. Private McRae was part of a bombing party and was
killed during that advance. His body was
never recovered from the battlefield and as a result of having no known grave, he is
commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France.
Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War
Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father,
Andrew McRae, Ste-Anne-de-Prescott, Ontario
The Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs.
Florence McRae, at the same address
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