Oct 22, 1894

Born in Bobcaygeon, Ontario to James and Frances Arabella (nee Sproul) Selby

Aug 31, 1896

Mother Frances died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Victoria County, Ontario

Aug 18, 1897

Father remarried to Mary Jane Jackson in Bobcaygeon

Dec 28, 1915

Attested into the 109^th Battalion CEF in Bobcaygeon, Ontario

Ø  Number 725546

Ø  Next of kin given as James Selby, father, Bobcaygeon, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Printer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 1 year in the 34^th Ontario Regiment, Canadian Militia

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Assigned to “C” Company

Jul 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp, near Longmoor, Hampshire

Aug 16, 1916

The battalion moved to Bramshott to continue training

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 917 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 22, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Selby joined the 21^st Battalion in Division Reserve in Bully Grenay

May 9, 1917

After surviving the battle at Vimy Ridge and while in the reserve trenches east of Vimy, the battalion came under an enemy artillery barrage killing or wounding 52 men, Private Selby being one of those killed.  His body was buried in a field north east of Arleux-en-Gohelle.  When the war ended, his remains could not be located for reburial in a Commonwealth Cemetery and as such, his name is listed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those killed during the war in France with no known grave.

 
Following the war, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his step mother, Mrs. Mary J. Selby, Bobcaygeon, Ontario

 
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Mr. James Selby, at the same address

 
There was no Memorial Cross issued

Thomas Selby is remembered on the headstone for his family’s
plot in the Verulam Cemetery, Bobcaygeon, Ontario

 
He is also honoured on the Bobcaygeon War Memorial