Originally Posted on Facebook: April 9, 2020

World War I Personnel Records - John Sargent

In honour of the 103rd Anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge, April 9-12, 1917 I am sharing the Personnel Records of the First World War for John William Sargent, son of John and Rachel Sargent. If you click on the link it will take you to the Library and Archives Canada website (I hope directly to the link for John) which gives you the option to download the digitized service file record from WW1. There are over 50 pages of records showing various aspects of his time in the war. He served mostly in France and was notably promoted twice ultimately to the rank of Corporal. He was wounded in the left ankle in October of 1918 just a month before the end of the war. He returned safely to Canada in February of 1919.

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Personnel Record FWW Item - Library and Archives Canada

The below picture was taken in Paris while John was on leave for two weeks, which is documented in his personnel file below, inscribed on the reverse is "Paris, France, Jan/18.

Extract pages from John's personnel file, you can see "Granted 14 Days Leave" in January 1918 in Paris as well as notation of his gun shot wound later that year on September 28, 1918.

 

Summary of wounds by the medical officer upon discharge in 1919.

The 142nd Battalion was referred to as London's Own, first raised in 1915 and sailed from Canada with 26 officers and 574 other ranks. Upon their arrival at Shorncliffe on November 12, 1916 the 142nd Battalion it was ultimately absorbed into the 23rd Reserve Battalion which for almost 2 years would train and provide reinforcements for battalions in France.