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1042893 Private
JOHN ROBERTS
Canadian Railway Troops
(formerly 779 Private, 90^th Light Infantry)

By

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Edward De Santis, MSCE, BSAE, P.E., MinstRE
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Figure 1.  Badge of the 90^th Light Infantry.
(Image courtesy of Wikipedia) 

1.      INTRODUCTION

This is the story of a man who wanted to be a soldier.  John Roberts enlisted in the British Army and served in two infantry regiments and a volunteer artillery corps.  He served in a war in South Africa against the Zulus and then served for about three years in India.  During the Great War of 1914-1918 he served in four battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.), enlisting by lying about his age, taking a discharge due to age and ill health, and then enlisting again by lying about his age.  He appears to have been an adventurous soul destined to serve his native land and his adopted land over a period of 42 years.  During all that time he never rose above the rank of Private.

2.      EARLY LIFE AND SERVICE IN THE BRITISH ARMY

Early Life

John Roberts was born in the Parish of St. Thomas in Dublin, Ireland in March of 1858. His mother was Alice Roberts of Dublin. There is no record of Roberts' father, his name or his occupation. As a young man, and prior to entering military service, John Roberts worked as a labourer in Dublin.  Prior to his enlistment he had not been an Apprentice and was not married.  He had no previous naval or military service and had never been rejected for such service.  He was not marked with a “D” for deserter nor with the letters “BC” for bad conduct.

Enlistment

On 3 March 1876 John Roberts enlisted in the 90^th (Perthshire Volunteers) Light Infantry. He was recruited in Dublin, in the 60th Brigade area, by Sergeant Major William Wishart of the regiment at 12:45 P.M. on this date. Roberts received no bounty when he enlisted. The day following his enlistment Roberts was administered the Oath of Attestation in Dublin at 1:45 P.M. by Sergeant J. Howton of the 90^th Light Infantry.

In his enlistment documents Roberts was described as follows:

Roberts was examined by the Recruiting District Surgeon on 6 March 1876 and was declared medically fit for military service. The Surgeon approved his Medical Certificate on this date. On 7 March his enlistment was approved and he was posted to the 90^th Light Infantry as a Private, with regimental number 779.

Roberts was given two days to put his private affairs in order. He reported for duty with the regiment in Dublin on 10 March. The Regimental Surgeon vaccinated him against smallpox on 13 March and this vaccination was examined by the surgeon on 22 April and was found to be ineffective. He was re-vaccinated this same date. Roberts apparently had a difficult time developing an immunity to smallpox. Further examination of his second vaccination on 11 May showed that it too, had been ineffective. He was re-vaccinated one final time on this same date.

Home Service (1876-1877)

Roberts attended to his duties as a private soldier which included drill, training and barracks chores. He remained in Dublin until 30 October 1876 when the regiment was posted to Limerick. It remained there until 20 April 1877 when it was moved to Portsmouth, and then to Aldershot on 23 May 1877.

South Africa 1878-1879)

Early in 1878 the 90^th Light Infantry was called to active service. The regiment had been at the top of the list for foreign service, having been on home service since its return from India in 1869. On 10 January 1878 Roberts sailed with his regiment for South Africa under the command of Colonel Henry Wellington Palmer.[1]

The regiment arrived at the Cape of Good Hope on 9 February 1878 and proceeded immediately to King William's Town in British Kaffraria where it was to be stationed. The distinguished British officer Evelyn Wood, then a super-numerary major of the 90^th, resigned his staff appointment at Aldershot and sailed to South Africa to be with the regiment. Upon his arrival at King William's Town, Wood found the troops of the regiment sorely deficient in kit. He also noted that all the young recruits, such as Private John Roberts, had been sent to South Africa while many of the older experienced non-commissioned officers had been left behind.[2]

Shortly after its arrival the regiment was involved in mopping-up operations against the Gaikas and Galekas in the area known as the Transkei between British Kaffraria and Natal. Detachments were sent out from King William's town to deal with the rebellious chiefs. On 16 March 1878 Colonel Palmer, with 350 men of the regiment swept the Kaffirs out of the Iron Mountain Region. On 30 April two columns of the regiment successfully cleared the Tutu Bush area. During this latter operation three companies of the 90^th were under the command of Colonel Evelyn Wood and two companies under General Thesiger.[3]

Figure 2. The Staff of the Flying Column in Zululand.
(Image courtesy of The British Empire web site)  

NOTE: In Figure 2 above Colonel Wood is seated in the centre, wearing an undress frock of the 90^th Light Infantry. He is talking to Major Clery. Lord Beresford is standing second from the left and Lieutenant Henry Lysons, V.C. of the 90th Light Infantry is sitting on the ground in front.[4]

In June of 1878 the companies from the Tutu Bush area were ordered to march to Utrecht in Natal to join the rest of the regiment. John Roberts' service record does not note which elements of the regiment he was with during the mopping-up operations; therefore, it is not possible to know if he remained with the rear echelon at King William's Town or if he participated in either or both of the actions at Iron Mountain and Tutu Bush. Once at Utrecht, Colonel Palmer, whose tour of command was over, returned to England. Private Roberts now came under the command of the famous Colonel Evelyn Wood. Wood commanded the regiment only until November 1878 when the regiment was handed over to Major Robert Montresor Rogers, V.C.[5]

Troubles had been brewing in South Africa for some time with the Zulu nation. On 1 January 1879 Roberts and his regiment began the march to the Blood River as part of the invasion force into Zululand. The 90^th Light Infantry crossed the Blood River on 6 January with Colonel Evelyn Wood's No. 4 Column and camped at Bemba's Kop.  As shown in Figure 3 below, it appears that the regiment was employed for a time as mounted infantry, wearing khaki colored riding breeches and tall leather boots.

After nine days of rest, No. 4 Column marched from Bemba's Kop on 17 January in a north-easterly direction and went into laager at Tinta's kraal on the White Umfolosi River on 20 January. On the following day the 90^th, with some Dutch Volunteers and Wood's Irregulars, advanced against a large body of Zulus and drove them from the Zunguin Heights. On 22 January the regiment rested below the slopes of Hlobane in preparation for an assault on the heights. It was here, two days later, that Private Roberts and the rest of the men of No. 4 Column learned of the disaster which befell the British force at Isandhlwana. The regiment moved back to Tinta's kraal where it engaged a Zulu force of some 4,000 warriors. The 90^th attacked in line against the Zulus who turned and fled from the regiment's well-directed fire.[6]

By 31 January 1879 No. 4 Column had established a new camp at Kambula. It remained in this camp until 28 March when the column, less the 90^th Light Infantry which was left to protect the encampment, attacked Hlobane Mountain. Only Lieutenant Henry Lysons and eight men of the regiment proceeded with Colonel Wood as his personal escort. On 29 March 1879 the Battle of Kambula Camp was fought. Long lines of Zulus advanced against the camp, their horns attempting to encircle the laager. The Zulus charged the fort against the front of the laager held by the 90^th. A hail of bullets poured into their dense mass. The accurate fire of the 90^th checked this attack, but the Zulus were able to reach a position which enabled them to open enfilade fire on the cattle laager held by the 1^st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. Colonel Wood ordered Major R.H. Hackett, with two companies of the 90^th, to counterattack with the bayonet, a maneuver which was carried out successfully but with some loss. By 1730 hours the sting had gone out of the Zulu attack and they began to retreat, harried first by the 13^th and the 90^th, and then by the pursuit of mounted troops. Over 800 Zulus were found lying dead near the camp. The 90^th had one officer and eleven men killed, two officers and 22 men wounded.[7]

A portion of the 90^th under Lieutenant H. de C. Rawlins formed a half-squadron of mounted infantry and took part in the battle of Ginghilovo on 2 April 1879. The remainder of the regiment in Wood's Column began preparing for the march on the Royal Kraal at Ulundi. Most of April and all of May were spent in preparation for the advance.  Finally, on 2 June 1879 the march on Ulundi commenced. By 4 June the Column reached the Nondweni River. On 7 June the 90^th left Landman's Drift as an escort for 800 wagons which proceeded to Koppie Allein for supplies. The column continued its march toward Ulundi on 17 June and fought the final battle of the war there on 4 July 1879.[8]

Figure 4. The Battle of Ulundi.[9]
(Imaged courtesy of BookPalace.com)

Immediately following the great battle at Ulundi the 90^th Light Infantry commenced the return march to Natal. The regiment reached St. Paul's Mission Station on 15 July and remained there until late September 1879. On 15 September Private Roberts was admitted to hospital at Ft. Davis in Zululand with "inflammation of the glands." He remained in hospital for five days.

India (1879-1882)

In early October the 90^th Light Infantry moved back into Natal, by way of Pine Town, to Durban. On 20 October 1879 Roberts and his regiment sailed for India aboard H.M.S. Serapis and arrived at Bombay on 20 November. The regiment moved by rail to Calcutta to relieve the 40^th  Foot. Although the British forces were engaged in a war with Afghan tribesmen at this time, the 90^th took no part in the Afghan War.

The medal roll for the South Africa Medal was prepared by the regiment in September of 1880. The roll shows Roberts and the 90^th Light Infantry serving at Ft. William in Calcutta during this period. Roberts is listed on the roll as being entitled to the South Africa Medal with clasp [1877-8-9]. During this same period he was also granted Good Conduct pay at 1.d. per day.

On 1 July 1881 the 90^th Light Infantry was redesignated the 2^nd Battalion, Scottish Rifles under the Cardwell Reform system. Roberts exchanged his 90^th Light Infantry badges for those of the Cameronians.[10]

Figure 5.  Badge of the Cameronians.
(Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Reserve Service (1882-1885)

Roberts' service papers place him in Jumma, India in February 1882 and indicate that he returned to England on 30 March 1882. On 8 April he was transferred as a Private to the First Class Army Reserve in the Dublin District. He returned to civilian life for a period of three years until being transferred to The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) on 15 May 1885. He was called back to the Colours for possible service in Egypt; however, the Liverpool Regiment was not sent on active service. On 25 September 1885 Roberts was again transferred to the First Class Army Reserve.

Figure 6. Badge of The King’s (Liverpool Regiment).
(Image courtesy of Wikipedia) 

Discharge from the British Army

Instead of returning to Dublin after his transfer from the Liverpool Regiment back to the Army Reserve, Roberts remained in the vicinity of Liverpool. On 24 February 1888 he was discharged from the Army, having completed his first term of limited engagement. He was at the time 30 years of age and his total military service was reckoned at 11 years and 358 days. His discharge took place at Warrington in Cheshire, a town located about 10 miles due east of Liverpool. At the time of his discharge he informed the military authorities that his intended place of residence was Westbury, Stillorgan, in the County of Dublin, Ireland. His discharge papers indicate that he was unmarried and that he had earned a 4^th Class Certificate of Education while in the Army.

He remained in the Liverpool area for a number of years and claimed to have served on the Lancashire Volunteer Artillery at the end of the last decade of the 19^th century. He claimed to have served in the Volunteer Artillery for about four years.[11] It is not known to which unit he may have belonged, but there were several units of the Lancashire Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers) stationed in and around Liverpool. These units included: The 1st Lancashire Volunteer Artillery with headquarters at 19 Low Hill, Liverpool; the 2^nd Lancashire Volunteer Artillery with headquarters at Windsor Barracks, Spekeland Street, Liverpool; the 4^th Lancashire Volunteer Artillery with headquarters at The Grange, East Lane, Liverpool; the 6^th Lancashire Volunteer Artillery with headquarters at Admiral Street, Liverpool; and finally, the 8^th Lancashire Volunteer Artillery with headquarters at Sefton Barracks, Upper Warwick Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool.

Figure 7. Waistbelt Clasp of the Lancashire Volunteer Artillery.
(Image courtesy of Wikipedia) 

Service in the Canadian Army (1915-1918)

About 1904 John Roberts emigrated to Canada and settled in Montreal. He took a job as a night watchman and worked in this capacity until the start of the Great War. On 28 January 1915 he enlisted as a Private (Regimental No. 63742) in the 23^rd (Westmount) Reserve Battalion, C.E.F. at Montreal.

Figure 8. Badge of the 23^rd Battalion, C.E.F.
(Image from the author’s collection) 

The parent unit of the 23^rd Battalion, C.E.F. was the 58^th Westmount Rifles which had been raised on 2 November 1914; hence, the designation of Westmount was associated with the 23^rd. This regiment would ultimately become The Royal Montreal Regiment.[12] Roberts made a fraudulent declaration on attestation regarding his age. He claimed his birth date to be 22 April 1870, which would have made him just under 45 years of age[13].  In fact, since he was born in 1858 he was actually 56 years old at the time of this enlistment. He was truthful about his birthplace, listing it as Dublin.

On enlistment into the Canadian Army he was described as being six feet tall,[14] with fair complexion, grey eyes[15] and gray hair. He wore an upper dental plate. He declared his religion as Church of England. He was married and listed his wife's name as Mary and he resided with his wife at 36 City Councillers (or Councillor) Street in Montreal.[16] At the time he enlisted he was still working as a watchman.

On 29 January 1915 Roberts was declared fit for military service by the unit Medical Officer at Montreal. His Attestation was duly certified by a Magistrate and on 1 February his Commanding Officer gave final approval of his enlistment. He embarked for England and reported to the 23^rd Battalion at Dibgate Plain in Kent shortly after the approval of his enlistment.

Roberts was confined to barracks at Dibgate Plain on 18 May 1915 for a period of 14 days for drunkenness. This was rather unusual for a married man of his age to drink to excess only a very short time after enlisting in the Army.  His punishment was interrupted on 20 May when he was sent to hospital at Shorncliffe (V.A.D. Kent) for diagnosis of an illness. He was subsequently sent to Canadian Special Hospital No. 134 at Lenham in the Maidstone district of Kent where, on 15 June 1915, he was diagnosed as having myalgia, the medical term for a muscle pain. He was released from hospital on 22 July and was assigned to duty with the Sanitary Police at Shorncliffe. On 5 August he was attached to the Canadian Army Medical Corps.

Roberts' myalgia was apparently something more serious. He was diagnosed as having rheumatism and was declared permanently unfit for further military service on 2 November 1915. The diagnosis was made at Shorncliffe. He was discharged on 2 November after a total of 280 days of service. His discharge papers described him as being 45 years old, six feet tall, with fresh complexion, light hazel eyes, and brown hair. His description on enlistment had indicated that he had gray hair. Along with the lie about his age he tried to make himself appear to be more youthful by dying his hair brown. He was able to visually deceive his superiors but there was nothing he could do to hide the aging process completely, especially the symptoms associated with rheumatism.

On 5 November 1915 Roberts was struck off the rolls of the 23^rd Battalion as medically unfit. He was transferred to Military District 4 at Montreal where he was also struck from the rolls on 21 January 1916.

Canada (1917-1918): Second Enlistment

Roberts returned to civilian life for just about a year. He still wanted into this war and he was not about to let his age or physical condition deter him from doing so. On 24 January 1917 he again enlisted in the Army; this time into the 240^th Battalion, C.E.F. at Renfrew, Ontario.

Figure 9. Badge of the 240^th Battalion, C.E.F.
(Image from the author’s collection) 

His enlistment was witnessed by the Recruiting NCO, Corporal B. Warner, and Roberts was again taken in as a Private, Regimental Number 1042893. He had lied about his age again. He admitted to having been born in Dublin, but again claimed his birth date to have been 22 April 1870. This would have made him appear to be 47 years of age. He was truthful about his prior service in the 23^rd Battalion. He said nothing of his being discharged for reasons of medical unfitness because of rheumatism and no attempt was made to verify his age or his prior service. This second enlistment, like the first in 1915, was made fraudulently.

Roberts' enlistment was for the duration of the war plus six months. His residence address on his 1917 enlistment papers was again 36 City Councillor Street in Montreal. He was still married to Mary Roberts, but he listed his occupation in 1917 as Policeman. He was described as being 47 years old, 175 pounds, five feet eleven and one quarter inches tall, with a clear complexion, brown eyes and grey hair. He still listed his religion as Church of England. The Medical Officer apparently missed his dental plate or decided not to mention it[17]. Roberts appeared before the Magistrate on 24 January 1917 and was sworn in. He was declared medically fit for service by the Medical Officer, Captain H. Malone, C.A.M.C.

Although he had been recruited by the 240^th Battalion, C.E.F. and had been given a regimental number associated with that battalion, he was soon transferred to the 257^th Railway Construction Battalion, C.E.F. He embarked for England again with this battalion from St. Missanabie on 16 February 1917.

Figure 10. Badge of the 257^th Railway Construction Battalion, C.E.F.
(Image from the author’s collection) 

Roberts arrived at Purfleet, England on 27 February 1917. On 8 March 1917 the 257^th  Battalion was redesignated the 7^th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops (C.R.T.) under the command of Lieutenant Colonel L.T. Martin.

Figure 11. Badge of the 7^th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops.
(Image from the author’s collection) 

Roberts and his battalion were in France by the first week of April. By 4 April the battalion was in the Poperinghe area. In this area it worked on the Busseboom light railway and on the main line into Ypres. 'C' Company of the battalion maintained a line to the Kemmel Hill batteries opposite Wytschaete. After several mines were blown in spectacular succession and the Allied advance commenced in the Spring of 1917, the 7^th Battalion assisted in the new construction made necessary to move the heavy gun batteries up. It built forward and south of Voormezeele to the St. Eloi craters and the Spoilbank and on to within 1,000 yards of the new defence line. The work was heavy. There was a great deal of cut and fill and considerable bridging was required. The 7^th Battalion's whole sector was under enemy balloon and aeroplane observation and the labour on the track was very trying because of shell fire.[18]

The 7^th Battalion continued to work in the Ypres sector throughout the summer and into the autumn of 1917. On 29 September Roberts was sent to the battalion depot in France for reasons of ill health. He was classified as unfit for further service in France on 8 October, and on 23 October he was transferred to England and the Canadian Railway Troops Depot at Purfleet. On 30 October he was further reassigned to the Canadian District Depot at Buxton pending embarkation orders for Canada.[19]

Discharge (1918)

Roberts embarked for Canada on 19 November 1917 and remained in the Army until the spring of 1918.  On 15 May 1918 Private John Roberts was discharged from the Army at Montreal (Military District 4). His description on discharge was given as 58 years and one month of age, five feet eleven and one-quarter inches tall, with a clear complexion, brown eyes, and grey hair. He had scars on the back of his neck and on the right side of his neck. At the time of his discharge he finally admitted to his real age.

John Roberts soldiering days were finally over. For his service in the Great War he was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. During his second enlistment in the Canadian Army he was never subject to any disciplinary actions. He was never called to account for lying twice about his age in order to fraudulently enlist, first in 1915 and again in 1917.

Roberts returned to civilian life after the war and resumed his duties as a policeman in Montreal. He wore his three medals proudly. He had earned them.

  John Roberts died on 4 December 1927 at Montreal, Canada at the age of 69.  The cause of death listed in his military service papers was myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).  He was buried in the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal in Grave 96c P2, Plot: Last Post Fund, Section N.  His next-of-kin was listed as his wife, Mary Roberts, of 36 City Councillor Street, Montreal, P.Q.

REFERENCES

Army Lists

MONTHLY ARMY LIST. April 1903.

Books

1. BARTHORP, M. The Zulu War. A Pictorial History. Blandford Press, Poole, Dorset, 1985.

2. CANADIAN ARMY. Records of Service of 63742 Private John Roberts, 23rd Battalion, C.E.F., to include: a. Attestation Paper b. Description on Enlistment c. Record of Service d. Casualty Form - Active Service (M.F.W. 54). e. Certificate of Discharge (Army Form B. 2079).

3. CHICHESTER, H.M. and BURGES-SHORT, G. The Records and Badges of Every Regiment and Corps in the British Army. Gale & Polden Limited, Aldershot, 1900.

4. JOHNSTON, S.H.F. The History of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), Volume I, 1689-1910. Gale & Polden Limited, Aldershot, 1957.

5. KERRY, A.J. and McDILL, W.W. The History of The Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers, 1749-1939. Volume I. The Military Engineers Association of Canada, Ottawa, 1962.

6. MACKINNON, J.P. and SHADBOLT, S.H. The South African Campaign of 1879. J.B. Hayward & Son, London, 1973.

7. STEWART, C.H. The Concise Lineages of The Canadian Army, 1855 to Date. National Museums of Canada, Quebec, c. 1970.

Internet Web Sites

The British Empire.

https://www.britishempire.co.uk/biography/evelynwoodstaff.htm  

Military Documents

1.   REGIMENTAL RECORDS. Medal Roll of the 90th Light Infantry Entitled to the South Africa Medal with Clasp for 1877-8-9.

2.   WAR OFFICE. Medical History, W.O. Form 1143.

Soldiers Service Papers

1.  WAR OFFICE. Record of Service of 779 Private John Roberts, 90th Light Infantry, W.O. Form 497, to include: a. Proceedings on Attestation b. Description and Medical Certificates c. Statement of Services d. Military History Sheet.

2.      CANADIAN ARMY. Records of Service of 1042893 Private John Roberts, C.R.T., to include: a. Attestation Paper (M.F.W. 23). b. Description on Enlistment (M.F.W. 23). c. Record of Service (M.F.W. 23). d. Casualty Form - Active Service (M.F.W. 54). e. Discharge Certificate (M.F.W. 39a).

 SUMMARY OF THE MILITARY SERVICE OF PRIVATE JOHN ROBERTS

3 Mar 1876 to 30 Jun 1881:    779 Private, 90th (Perthshire Volunteers) Light Infantry

1 Jul 1881 to 7 Apr 1882:       779 Private, 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles (Cameronians)

8 Apr 1882 to 14 May 1885:   First Class Army Reserve

15 May 1885 to 24 Sep 1885: Private, The Liverpool Regiment

25 Sep 1885 to 24 Feb 1888:  First Class Army Reserve

Circa 1898 to circa 1902:        Lancashire Volunteer Artillery

28 Jan 1915 to 21 Jan 1916:   63742 Private, 23rd (Westmount) Reserve Battalion, C.E.F.

24 Jan 1917 to Feb 1917:        1042893 Private, 240th Battalion, C.E.F.

Feb 1917 to 07 Mar 1917:      1042893 Private, 257th Construction Battalion, C.E.F.

8 Mar 1917 to 15 May 1918:  1042893 Private, 7th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops

 OUTLINE OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF JOHN ROBERTS
779 Private, 90th Light Infantry and 1042893 Private, Canadian Railway Troops

Mar 1858:       Born in Dublin, Ireland

3 Mar 1876:    Enlisted in the 90th Light Infantry

30 Oct 1876:   Moved with regiment to Limerick

20 Apr 1877:   Moved with regiment to Portsmouth

23 May 1877:  Moved with regiment to Aldershot

10 Jan 1878:    Sailed with regiment to South Africa

9 Feb 1878:     Arrived at the Cape of Good Hope

1 Jan 1879:      Marched with regiment from Utrecht, Natal

6 Jan 1879:      Crossed the Blood River near Bemba's Kop

17 Jan 1879:    Marched from Bemba's Kop

20 Jan 1879:    Arrived at Tinta's kraal on the White Umfolosi

21 Jan 1879:    Fought in the action at Zunguin Heights

22 Jan 1879:    In camp below the slopes of Hlobane

24 Jan 1879:    Marched with regiment back to Tinta's kraal

31 Jan 1879:    Encamped at Kambula

29 Mar 1879:  Fought in the battle at Kambula Camp

2 Jun 1879:      Commenced march to Ulundi

4 Jun 1879:      Reached the Nondweni River (Landman's Drift)

7 Jun 1879:      Left Landman's Drift for Koppie Allein

17 Jun 1879:    Continued the march to Ulundi

4 Jul 1879:      Fought in the Battle of Ulundi

15 Jul 1879:    Regiment arrived at St. Paul's Mission Station

15 Sep 1879:   Roberts in hospital at Ft. Davis, Zululand

Oct 1879:        Regiment marched to Pine Town and Durban

20 Oct 1879:   Regiment sailed for India aboard HMS Serapis

20 Nov 1879:  Regiment reached Bombay. By rail to Calcutta

Sep 1880:        Regiment at Ft. William in Calcutta

1 Jul 1881:      Regiment redesignated 2nd Bn, Scottish Rifles

Feb 1882:        Roberts was in Jumma

30 Mar 1882:  Roberts sailed for England

8 Apr 1882:     Transferred to First Class Army Reserve

15 May 1885:  Called back and transferred to Liverpool Regt

25 Sep 1885:   Again transferred to First Class Army Reserve

24 Feb 1888:   Discharged at Warrington, Cheshire

circa 1900:      Served in the Lancashire Volunteer Artillery

circa 1904:      Emigrated to Montreal, Canada

28 Jan 1915:    Enlisted in the 23rd Battalion, C.E.F.

18 May 1915:  Confined to barracks at Dibgate Plain

20 May 1915:  To hospital at Shorncliffe

15 Jun 1915:    To hospital at Lenham 22 Jul 1915: Returned to duty at Shorncliffe

05 Aug 1915:  Attached to the Canadian Army Medical Corps

2 Nov 1915:    Declared permanently unfit for service

5 Nov 1915:    Struck from the rolls of the 23rd Battalion

21 Jan 1916:    Struck from the rolls of Military District 4

24 Jan 1917:    Enlisted in the 240th Battalion, C.E.F.

Feb 1917:        Transferred to the 257th Battalion, C.E.F.

16 Feb 1917:   Sailed for England from St. Missanabie

27 Feb 1917:   Arrived at Purfleet, England

8 Mar 1917:    Battalion redesignated 7th Battalion, C.R.T.

4 Apr 1917:     With the battalion at Poperinghe Sep 1917: Battalion worked in the Ypres sector

29 Sep 1917:   Roberts sent to the battalion depot in France

8 Oct 1917:     Declared unfit for further service in France

23 Oct 1917:   Transferred to C.R.T. Deport at Purfleet

30 Oct 1917:   Transferred to Canadian District Depot, Buxton

19 Nov 1917:  Sailed from England for Canada

15 May 1918:  Discharged from Military District 4 (Montreal)

ENDNOTES