Robert John Boreland #8420
Personal information Robert Boreland's service number was 8420 and was a private. His height was 5' 3½ and he was born on June 1, 1891 in Belfast, Ireland. He immigrated to Canada on May 30, 1911 on the SS Ionian and arrived in Montreal at the age of 20. He was hired as a servant for the Finley McRae family who lived on Concession 10 Lot 24.. His eyes were blue, and his hair was tan. Robert was not married, his religion was the Church of England, and he was a labourer by trade. When he went in to training, he only told them that his sister lived on 3 Legnan LT Ballysillam, Belfast, Ireland. Miss Lizzie Boreland was his next of kin, and he was 22 years old when he went into battle.
Military Movements Robert went into the army on September 22, 1914 and enlisted in Valcartier, Quebec. However, he had been serving with the 42nd regiment starting on Aug 12, 1914 and sailed out on Oct. 3, 1914. Then he was sent right away to the 2nd Infantry and fought in the battle of Ypres. He was part of the initial 42nd regiment that served together with Capt. Hooper and was part of the first casualties from this area.
Military Action Robert was in the field Sept 22, 1914 to Sept 26, 1915 in which he got paid $1.10 a day. During the battle of Ypres, the German dumped 160 tons of chlorine on the British, and in order to survive, you needed a gas mask or soak a piece of cloth in your own urine on your face like a bandanna. Then on April 24, 1915, another gas attack came from the Germans and the British put 55,000 men lives in jeopardy. In 48 hours, 2,000 men were lost. He served with Capt. Hooper of Carleton Place and was killed in the battle that saw Capt. Hooper taken captive.
Death Details Robert Boreland died in action on 26/9/15 at the Battle of Ypres at the age of 24. He has no known grave. His name is listed on the Ypres Memorial (Menin Gate), which is located east of Ypres. His page in the Book of Remembrance is page 6. His Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal were sent to his sister on Jan 7, 1922 with his scroll and plaque.
by Hannah Van Hofwegen
Personal information Robert Boreland's service number was 8420 and was a private. His height was 5' 3½ and he was born on June 1, 1891 in Belfast, Ireland. He immigrated to Canada on May 30, 1911 on the SS Ionian and arrived in Montreal at the age of 20. He was hired as a servant for the Finley McRae family who lived on Concession 10 Lot 24.. His eyes were blue, and his hair was tan. Robert was not married, his religion was the Church of England, and he was a labourer by trade. When he went in to training, he only told them that his sister lived on 3 Legnan LT Ballysillam, Belfast, Ireland. Miss Lizzie Boreland was his next of kin, and he was 22 years old when he went into battle.
Military Movements Robert went into the army on September 22, 1914 and enlisted in Valcartier, Quebec. However, he had been serving with the 42nd regiment starting on Aug 12, 1914 and sailed out on Oct. 3, 1914. Then he was sent right away to the 2nd Infantry and fought in the battle of Ypres. He was part of the initial 42nd regiment that served together with Capt. Hooper and was part of the first casualties from this area.
Military Action Robert was in the field Sept 22, 1914 to Sept 26, 1915 in which he got paid $1.10 a day. During the battle of Ypres, the German dumped 160 tons of chlorine on the British, and in order to survive, you needed a gas mask or soak a piece of cloth in your own urine on your face like a bandanna. Then on April 24, 1915, another gas attack came from the Germans and the British put 55,000 men lives in jeopardy. In 48 hours, 2,000 men were lost. He served with Capt. Hooper of Carleton Place and was killed in the battle that saw Capt. Hooper taken captive.
Death Details Robert Boreland died in action on 26/9/15 at the Battle of Ypres at the age of 24. He has no known grave. His name is listed on the Ypres Memorial (Menin Gate), which is located east of Ypres. His page in the Book of Remembrance is page 6. His Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal were sent to his sister on Jan 7, 1922 with his scroll and plaque.
by Hannah Van Hofwegen