Private John Leaf
Survivor of WW1
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
835908
Cause of Death (in war):
Survived
Branch:
Canadian Army
Regiment:
Battalion:
146th Overseas Battalion
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
St. Regis, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
39 years 3 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
39 years 6 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Trapper
Next of Kin:
Nancy Leaf (wife), St. Regis, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
St. Regis, Quebec
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Place of Enlistment:
Verona, Ontario
Was a Prisoner of War:
Height:
5 ft 7.0 in / 170 cm
Weight:
165 lbs / 75 kg
Chest:
41.0 in / 104 cm
Expansion:
3.5 in / 9 cm
Marital Status:
Married
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Canada
Place of Discharge:
Valcartier Camp, Quebec
Discharge Type:
Discharge due to Courts Martial
Discharge Notes:
Deserter
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
108 days in service
Buried at:
Links
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Private |
|
Canadian Army |
146th Overseas Battalion |
|
|
|
| Only documented unit/rank; illegally absent from 24 Jun 1916 and S.O.S. as deserter 8 Aug 1916. |
Service Chronology
1916-04-22 — Attested/enlisted as Private 835908, 146th Overseas Battalion; medically found fit
1916-06-24 — Became illegally absent from the 146th Overseas Battalion
1916-08-08 — Struck off strength as a deserter under Part II Order No. 190
1916-09-25 — 146th Battalion sailed overseas after Leaf had already been struck off strength
1921-06-16 — Administrative amendment to Part II Order No. 190 clarified illegal absence from 24 Jun 1916 and deserter status
Notes
Born at St. Regis, Quebec, 22 January 1877; trapper; Roman Catholic; married. Medical examination at Verona on 22 April 1916 recorded height 5 ft 7½ in, weight 165 lb, minimum chest 37½ in, fully expanded chest 41 in, dark complexion, dark-brown eyes and black hair; physical development was good.
Additional Service Notes
Enlisted at Verona, Ontario, on 22 April 1916 as Private 835908, 146th Overseas Battalion, C.E.F. He served in Canada with the battalion. He became illegally absent from 24 June 1916 and was struck off strength as a deserter at Valcartier Camp on 8 August 1916 under Part II Order No. 190. A 1921 amendment clarified the illegal-absence date. The 146th Battalion sailed overseas on 25 September 1916, after Leaf had already been struck off strength.
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Wife Nancy Leaf was recorded as next of kin at St. Regis, Quebec, and as the separation-allowance beneficiary.
Research Notes
The service file documents Canadian service only. The casualty record distinguishes the start of illegal absence (24 Jun 1916) from the actual S.O.S./termination as a deserter (8 Aug 1916 at Valcartier Camp, Part II Order No. 190). A report dated 16 Jun 1921 amended the order to clarify the earlier absence date. The Separation Allowance record independently records 'Discharged 8/8/16', corroborating the termination date. The 146th Battalion sailed overseas 25 Sep 1916; the file contains no evidence that Leaf accompanied it.
