DENMAN, John William

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        4th Canadian Infantry Division
                                             10th Infantry Brigade
                                             47th Battalion - Western Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   3130961
RESIDENCE:                    Chatham – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            September 3, 1896
                                             Brussels – Grey / Morris Townships – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           September 3, 1918               22 years
CEMETERY:                     Dury Crucifix Cemetery – Dury –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             I     A     32
PARENT:                           Mr. Daniel Denman – Brussels – Ontario
Occupation:                        Freight Handler                    Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         London – January 5, 1918
Enlistment Age:                 21 years     3 months

Private Denman joined very late in the war when the need for additional men to serve their country was critical. He enlisted under the Military Service Act of 1917.
Private Denman departed Canada on February 4, 1918 on the SS Grampain and arrived in England on February 16, 1918. He immediately was transferred to the 4th Reserve Battalion based at Bramshott - Hampshire. He was then Taken on Strength by the 47th Battalion on 
June 1, 1918 and went overseas into France to join his unit already in the field.
On this day the winds were south-west. Showers had fallen early in the day.
At noon the Battalion advanced in support of the 46th Battalion. After crossing the summit of the Mont Dury Ridge the enemy brought down a very heavy artillery barrage. They used high explosive shells and gas shells. Here the ground was very exposed and devoid of any cover.
The advance continued to the objective which was a line running from the east of Recourt to a point east of Saudermont. It was here the Battalion dug in. The Companies were distributed in depth.
During this artillery barrage the casualties were 21 men killed and 66 wounded.
It was during this advance where Private Denman lost his life in action.