Private Francis DesRoche

Son of Emanuel and Gertrude DesRoche, Francis DesRoche was born on November 3^rd, 1915 in Tignish, Prince Edward Island. He grew up there with his 6 siblings: Margaret, Lorette, Minnie, Gilbert, Arthur, and Edward DesRoche. World war two went on for three years before my great great uncle enlisted to join the war as a part of the Canadian army. He wanted much more than the average farm life. On November 6^th, 1942 he enlisted and was given his service number, G/24064. He was then assigned to the Royal 22e Regiment, R.C.I.C. Being in the Royal 22e Regiment, nicknamed The Van Doos, my great great uncle, Private Francis DesRoche, was a part of the 1^st Canadian Infantry Division and was involved in intense combat over in Italy. He received the 1939-45 Medal and Star for his short time in battle, as he was killed in action only a short time later. On March 29^th, 1944, at the age of 29, Private Francis DesRoche died and is now buried in the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery in Italy, grave reference II. E. 1.

Private Dominic Bennett is my Thelus veteran. On May 17th, 1894, Dominic Bennett, son of Lewis and Mitlallary Bennett, was born in Port au Port Bay, St. George, Newfoundland. Before going to war, Dominic lived a peaceful life in Newfoundland as a fisherman, and then served 14 months in the army. His service number was 488745. On November 11th, 1915, he enlisted into World War 1, at the age of 21 years and 6 months. Dominic Bennett left Halifax in 1915, part of the 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles). He served in France as a part of the 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division until April 9th 1917. At the age of 23 years old, he was killed in action among 30 other soldiers of his Battalion on that day. He is commemorated on page 200 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. He is now buried in the Thelus Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France; grave reference: II. D. 3.

Private Robert Cable is my Vimy memorial veteran. His date of birth is unknown. He was born however, is Napan, New Brunswick and grew up there as well, with his family. On December 18th, 1915 in Chatham New Brunswick, he enlisted into World War 1. His service number was 793130 and was assigned to the 87th Battalion. Private Robert Cable sailed to England, the 25th of April 1916. He was stationed the on the 5th of May, as part of the 12th Infantry Brigade until June, then part of the 11th Infantry Brigade. On August 11th, he crossed over to France and served in the war until the 9th of April 1917, when he was killed in action in Vimy ridge. He is now commemorated on page 211 of the First World War Book of Remembrance and on the Vimy Ridge memorial. 

 -Kayla Creelman