MAHONEY, Henry Roscoe

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Wroxeter, Ontario
Original Unit
Regimental Number
654631
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
21 years 6 months
Biographical Summary

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         3rd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             9th Infantry Brigade
                                             58th Battalion - Central Ontario
                                             “C” Company
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   654631
RESIDENCE:                    Glenannon – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            December 7, 1895
                                             Glenannan – Culross Township – Bruce County - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           June 28, 1917                       21 years     6 months         
MEMORIAL:                    Vimy Memorial – Vimy –
                                             Pas de Calais - France
FATHER:                           Mr. John Mahoney – Glenanna – County of Huron - Ontario
Occupation:                        Farmer                                  Religion:     Roman Catholic
Enlistment:                         Wroxeter – March 23, 1916 – 161st Huron battalion
Enlistment Age:                 20 years     3 months

The family resided on the Culross / Turnberry line and when he was growing up he helped his uncle farm.
Following his passing his examinations at Belmore Public School, in 1914, he entered the Wingham Business College in 1915.
The 161st boarded the S.S. Lapland and arrived in England on November 11, 1916.
On November 27th, he was Taken on Strength by the 58th Battalion and Struck off Strength from the 161st Battalion. 
It was then overseas into France on November 29 and he joined the 58th already in the field on December 22, 1916.
Private Mahoney was killed in action during the battle for Avion in late June of 1917. He had previously
     seen action in several battles prior to this time. His unit was located in the trenches south of Avion.
On this day, the weather was good with winds from the south-west at 10 mph.
At 2:30 am the Battalion advanced under a creeping barrage toward Avion. The advance was successful. The Battalion had lobbed some flares onto the objective and the Royal Flying Corps and dropped some bombs killing some of the enemy. A number of prisoners were taken. “A” + “B” Companies then attacked and reported they were able to occupy an outpost line in Avion in conjunction with the 52nd Battalion on left flank and the 43rd Battalion on the right flank.
Outposts: No. 11 platoon on left from 52nd Battalion to SLAG HEAP and to hold 3 posts. No. 12 platoon was on the right from No. 11 platoon to 43rd Battalion and to hold 2 posts. No. 9 platoon plus spare Lewis gun crew to occupy the final objective at FOSSE 4 
At 7:10 pm patrols were to be pushed out toward the enemy trench at FOSSE 4 and the trench is to be occupied. It is important that a post be established on SLAG HEAP. There was also going to be a fourteen minute barrage to assist the infantry.
The barrage came down on time and No. 9 platoon moved off. Flares up indicating final objective taken at 7:40 pm. Final objectives taken at 8 pm.
Word was received from No. 12 platoon that assistance was needed and one platoon from “B” Company went to assist.
At 10.45 pm word was received that No. 11 platoon was surrounded on three sides and unable to connect with the 43rd Battalion and were forced to retire. They then took up a position at the outpost line.
No. 11 platoon sent word at 11:15 pm that they needed reinforcements as they had suffered heavy casualties.
From the files of Private Mahoney, the war diaries of the 58th Battalion and the war diaries of the 9th Infantry Brigade we are quite certain that Private Mahoney was with “C” Company – No. 11 platoon at the time of his death