LAVIS, Arthur
DIVISIONAL UNIT: 1st Canadian Infantry Division
3rd Infantry Brigade
14th Battalion - Royal Montreal
No. 3 Company
Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO: 126490
DATE OF BIRTH: May 20, 1897
Summerset County - England
DATE OF DEATH: September 7, 1916 19 years 3 months
MEMORIAL: Vimy Memorial – Vimy –
Pas de Calais - France
PARENTS: Mr. and Mrs. James Lavis. – St. Helens - Ontario
Occupation: Farm Labourer Religion: Methodist
Enlistment: September 14, 1915 – Wingham into 71st Battalion
Enlistment Age: 18 years 4 months
Private Lavis arrived in England on November 30, 1915. He then transferred to the 14th Battalion.
In June Private Lavis was reported as “missing” on June 12/13, but then rejoined his unit on June 16th.
The Battalion was in the Somme Salient trenches and the weather was good with some late day showers.
No. 4 Company completed a relief in the trenches / shellholes south-east of Mouquet Farm on night of September 6/7 but took some casualties. No. 3 Company was to complete a relief at the most advanced position in the Somme Salient. No. 1 Company was in Tom’s Cut with No. 2 Company being in the Chalk Pits.
Two platoons of No. 3 Company and a Section of Bombers as they tried to occupy their positions were swept by enemy shell fire causing many casualties.
The Battalion held from 2:30 am until 5:30 am at which time they were relieved.
Private Lavis was killed in action during military operations at Mouquet Farm west of Courcelette. He died as the result of enemy shelling.
The Battalion lost 44 men killed, 116 wounded and 33 missing.