L/Cpl
John Gemmell
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 22/11/1894 |
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Place of birth: Drumboy, Ayrshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Lavoy, Alberta, Canada |
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Profession: Farmer |
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Religion: Presbyterian |
Army information
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Country: Canada |
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Force: Canadian Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Lance Corporal |
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Service number: 811615 |
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Enlistment date: 04/01/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
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Units: — Canadian Infantry, 47th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 26/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Augustus Wood, Passchendaele, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 22 |
Cemetery
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Passchendaele New British Cemetery Plot: XIII Row: D Grave: 8 |
Distinctions and medals 1
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Military Medal for Bavery in the Field Medal — 19/11/1917 |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
John Gemmell was the son of Agnes Gemmell. He was born on 22 November 1894 in Drumboy, Ayrshire, Scotland. John moved to Lavoy, Alberta, where he worked as a farmer. He enlisted in the Canadian army in January 1916 and was part of the 47th Battalion (10th Brigade, 4th Division).
John was killed on 26 October 1917 during the Second Battle of Passchendaele, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. That day, the 10th Brigade was near Keerselaarhoek and had been tasked with capturing the area of Decline Copse. The brigade went on the attack with the 46th Battalion, but counterattacks forced the attacking troops to retreat. In doing so, they also passed the positions of the C company of the 47th Battalion, which held a line between Augustus Wood and Keerselaarhoek.
The C Company was ordered to advance and hold a line on the ridge southwest of Augustus Wood, where they connected with the D Company and were ready to attack when necessary. The B Company of the 47th Battalion took up positions to the northeast of Passchendaele Road and consolidated their positions south of the Ypres-Roulers railway line. They were also reinforced by men from A Company. The latter group also supplied labourers who were responsible for burying the dead and delivering rations.
John was killed at the age of 23. His body was found after the war near Augustus Wood. John was reburied at Passchendaele New British Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
John was killed on 26 October 1917 during the Second Battle of Passchendaele, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. That day, the 10th Brigade was near Keerselaarhoek and had been tasked with capturing the area of Decline Copse. The brigade went on the attack with the 46th Battalion, but counterattacks forced the attacking troops to retreat. In doing so, they also passed the positions of the C company of the 47th Battalion, which held a line between Augustus Wood and Keerselaarhoek.
The C Company was ordered to advance and hold a line on the ridge southwest of Augustus Wood, where they connected with the D Company and were ready to attack when necessary. The B Company of the 47th Battalion took up positions to the northeast of Passchendaele Road and consolidated their positions south of the Ypres-Roulers railway line. They were also reinforced by men from A Company. The latter group also supplied labourers who were responsible for burying the dead and delivering rations.
John was killed at the age of 23. His body was found after the war near Augustus Wood. John was reburied at Passchendaele New British Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
Sources 3
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Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG150, 1992-93/314, 182). https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/ Sources used |
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Personnel Records of the First World War (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC) RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3467 - 37). https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/ Sources used |
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War diaries: 47th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG9-III-D-3, Volume number: 4940, Microfilm reel number: T-10746--T-10747, File number: 438). https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/ Sources used |
More information 4
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461265 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=6fc2aeba-1b1d-4079-b0e5-ef745cff7992 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/5885795 |
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The Canadian Virtual War Memorial https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/461265 |