James Arthur Ormerod

Private 725141
3rd Bn, Central Ontario Regt, Canadian Infantry

James was killed on 24 September 1916, and his name is commemorated on the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge.

He was the son of Arthur and Elizabeth Ormerod, of Riverside Drive, Westmount, Weston, Ontario.

His attestation papers, which can be viewed below, give his date of birth as 28 December 1896, and his place of birth as Lancashire, England. These attestation papers are stored in the National Archives of Canada (Ref. RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7482 - 18).

The 3rd Battalian, Central Ontario Regiment, with which James served, was formed in Toronto on 6 August 1914, and formed part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

James enlisted with the Battalion on 15 January 1916.

The War Diary of the 3rd Battalion records for 23-24 September 1916:

"Saturday, September 23, 1916
Location: BRIGADE SUPPORT
Entry: Lieut ANGLIN reported for duty, posted to “B” Company. Company Commanders at present “A” Major DYMOND, “B” Capt McDONALD, “C” Major MOSS, “D” Major CHISHOLM. Battalion moved to trenches to relief of 1st Canadian Battalion E of COURCELETTE, by units at 7 pm. Relief complete at 1.10 am. Weather – fair.

Sunday, September 24, 1916
Location: TRENCHES
Entry: Relieved by 28th Canadian Battalion at about midnight. Very hard 24 hours with continued shelling on front line and supports as far back as SUGAR REFINERY. Disposition was “A” and “C” font line, Band D supports. 3 local counter attacks were beaten off very skillfully by “A” and “C” Companies. Casualties for 24 hours, Capt OLDHAM – Killed – Lieut MORTON – wounded. Lieut GRAY wounded 7 O.R. killed 63 O.R. wounded. Upon relief Battalion moved to ALBERT. Weather – fair."

James is commemorated on Page 144 of the Canadian First World War Book of Remembrance, also shown below.

The images of James' attestation papers and the First World War Book of Remembrance are supplied from the National Archives of Canada and the Veterans Affairs Canada websites respectively.

Both these sites allow their images to be used for public non-commercial use, but ask that users remind viewers that the reproduction is not represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made, in affiliation with or with the endorsement of National Archives of Canada or Veterans Affairs Canada.