Robert McCracken,what happened to you?

[islay 1]

Hi,I am trying to piece together what happened to a couple of my mum's brothers,and am starting with this gentleman.
  He was born in 1898 in Ayr,Scotland and was only 16 in 1914 when the First World War began. He was not old enough to enlist in a Scottish regiment,so joined a Canadian one instead.
  He was a motorbike despatch rider,receiving a commendation for bravery,but unfortunately was badly injured,losing his right arm and left leg.
  All we know is that this Canadian regiment took him back to Canada and looked after him for the whole of his life.He remained unmarried.
I would like to find out where in Canada he lived out his days,when he died,where he might be buried,and even if I'm lucky,the name of his regiment that supported him for his lifetime. Could you help and advise me on the best way to proceed?I would be very grateful,thank you.

[charlotteCH]

Hi
There is a way of getting copies ofarmy files of  soldiers in  canadian regiments in WW1- I got my uncle's papers that way and it gave quite abit of background about him.  But...
I can't remember what the site is called.

Another way of coming at this may be to ask Canadian Vets Affairs about your uncle.
That Govt Dept. would have a websire I'd think.

charlotte

[cosmac]

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=142140&interval=20&&PHPSESSID=aaej2702k8pk4qsa3ljudlet30

Link to the Canadian database for WWI soldiers and the only Robert McCracken listed.  From this site you can order his military file and the cost is reasonable.  The only file I ordered cost about $12.50 Cdn.

Debbie

[cosmac]

http://www.rootschat.com/links/08vj/
Most likely the Robert McCracken who signed  up to serve arriving in Canada.  He is listed as a dentist which coincides with the type of work on the attestation papers and he is headed for Port Arthur, Ontario where the attestation papers were signed.

Ship Athenia from Glasgow to Quebec City arriving 30 June 1914.

Debbie

[islay 1]

Thank you for that - interesting about the Port Arthur reference because my granny and grandad were living there at the time,having come out to Canada in 1910.Mum was born there.I'm off now to look up the links you sent - many thanks.Best wishes.

[islay 1]

Wow! That is definitely him,right address in Ayr and everything.how can i find the link for his brother Thomas,who joined the same regiment just after him?This is really exciting for me.

[cosmac]

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html
Go to the Military and Peacekeeping link for WWI soldiers.
From Exploration and Settlement you can use the information for Thomas' arrival to find the ships image.  Not indexed by name but by ship so you do have to scroll through the entries.

Debbie

[islay 1]

thank you,Debbie,I'm going to do that now.Many,many thanks for your interest and help.

[charlotteCH]

If he lived in Ont. at the time of his death he may be on the OCFA [Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid].  It's free to search and a great site.

charlotte