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Oct 12, 1892
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Born in Grande Anse, New Brunswick to Marcin and
Elizabeth Theriault
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Aug 23, 1915
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Attested into the 55th Battalion CEF
in Sussex, New Brunswick
Ø Number 445570
Ø Next of kin given as Eliza
Theriault, mother, Grande Anse, New Brunswick
Ø Previous occupation given as
Labourer
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as Roman
Catholic
Ø Assigned to “D” Company
The battalion began training in Sussex, New
Brunswick but had moved to Valcartier, Quebec the previous June
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Aug 30, 1915
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Proceeded to Valcartier, Quebec to join the
battalion and begin training
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Oct 30, 1915
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Embarked the SS Corsican in Montreal, Quebec
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Nov 9, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport, England and the
battalion proceeded to the Bramshott camp
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Dec 29, 1915
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Admitted to the Bramshott Military Hospital with
a diagnosis that reads Influenza
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Jan 22, 1916
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Discharged to duty from hospital
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Apr 23, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Apr 24, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 853 reinforcements from
England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion
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May 15, 1916
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After leaving the base depot, Private Theriault
joined the 21st Battalion in the T & R front line trenches
near Voormezeele, Belgium
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Sep 15, 1916
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During the battle of the Somme, the 21st
Battalion was assigned the objective of capturing the strongly defended sugar
factory near Courcelette, France. The
fighting was fierce and the battalion suffered many casualties. Private John Theriault was first reported
missing in action, but later was determined to have been killed during the
fighting. His identifiable body was
never recovered from the battlefield and his name is listed on the Canadian
National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those killed in France during
the war and have no known grave.
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory
Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his
mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Theriault, Grande Anse, New Brunswick
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