1900

Born in Rocca San Giovanni Chieti, Italy to Augustine and  Eusibia D'Angelo Schiarizzi

I could not find a definitive birth date, however, on the 1911 Canadian Census taken June 1, 1911, his birth year was given as 1900 and his stated age on his last birthday was 10 years. 

Aug 16, 1915

Attested into the 80^th Battalion at Peterborough Ontario 

Ø      Number 219457

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs A Skarrizi (mother) of 656 Reid St, Peterborough Ontario

o       The 1911 Census shows his mother’s fist name as Dancher.

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company 

It should be noted that he lied about his age, giving his birth date as November 29, 1897.  He was most likely only 14 at the time of Attestation, but could have just turned 15 at the oldest.

May 16, 1916

Embarked the RMS Baltic at Halifax Nova Scotia

May 29, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the Borden Camp

Jun 9, 1916

Transferred to the 74^th Battalion at the Bramshott Camp

Jul 18, 1916

Transferred to the 50^th Battalion at Bramshott for permanent Base Duty on being discovered to be underage

Jul 27, 1916

Will made out leaving his estate to his mother, Mrs A Skarrizi

Aug 21, 1916

Transferred to CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for duty, but placed On Command to the 50^th Battalion

Aug 22, 1916

TOS (Taken on Strength) the Provisional Battalion

Sep 20, 1916

Attached to the 51^st Battalion

Sep 28, 1916

On Command to the CASC (Canadian Army Service Corps) for permanent Base Duty

Oct 11, 1916

On Command to the 50^th Battalion from CASC for permanent Base Duty

Nov 13, 1916

The 51^st Battalion changed it’s name to be the Garrison Duty Battalion

Dec 2, 1916

Found fit for full duty and TOS the Garrison Duty Battalion

Dec 13, 1916

Sentenced to 2 days FP No 2 (Field Punishment) and forfeits 2 days pay for being AWL (Absent Without Leave) for 2 days

Jan 2, 1917

Sentenced to 2 days FP No 2 and forfeits 2 days pay for being absent from parade

Jan 31, 1917

Sentenced to 3 days FP No 2 and forfeits 3 days pay for neglecting to obey an NCO

Mar 22, 1917

TOS the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Apr 20, 1917

Reported to be AWL at 3 pm

Apr 22, 1917

Reported for duty from being AWL.  Sentenced to 10 days FP No 1 and forfeits 3 days pay

Jun 19, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 20, 1917

Arrived at 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in France and TOS the 21^st Battalion

Jul 7, 1917

Left 2 CIBD

Jul 8, 1917

Joined the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion in the field

Aug 21, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in Billets in Villers Au Bois carrying out training exercises

Nov 3, 1917

On the night of Nov 3-4, the Battalion was attacked by the enemy while in the front line trench near Crest Farm.  Pte Skarrizi went missing and is presumed killed in action.  Because his body was never recovered, he is listed on the Menin Gate, Leper Belgium

Nov 22, 1917         From the Peterborough Examiner

Even though I could not determine his exact age, he would have been 17 years of age at the oldest, and possibly only 16.

Jun 9, 1921

Beginning on this date, the following were sent to his parents at 656 Reid St, Peterborough Ontario 

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny)

Scroll

Memorial Cross