Private Harry Sherman Pope #457399, 3rd Battalion

Photo by Bob Richardson 2014

Born on July 15, 1900 in Smith Falls, Lanark County, Ontario, young Harry was baptized in the Congregational Church, Danville, Quebec in 1903. Father Alfred. a locomotive fireman, and mother, Catherine, I believe were Francophone, despite having an Anglo surname. Harry was the older brother to James, Frederic, Ruby, Lila, Greta and Adeline with the family living 2555 Mance Street, Montreal early 1915. Working as a “plumber”, he joined the 60^th (Victoria Rifles of Canada) Battalion, “D” Company on June 15, 1915. At the time of enlistment in Montreal June 15, 1915, Harry was described as 5' 6 1/4" tall,  fair complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, weight 144 pounds. He gave his religion as Presbyterian and his birth date as July 15, 1897, neither of which we now know NOT to be true.

Joined the 60th (Victoria Rifles) Battalion, 1^st Reinforcing Draft that sailed August 27, 1915 from Montreal on the S.S. Scandinavian. On arrival at Shorncliffe this draft was absorbed by the 23^rd Reserve Battalion on September 6, 1915. Private Pope was then transferred to the 3^rd Battalion reaching that unit on December 12, 1915 in the field. His service record states “Killed in Action, bullet in the head, died on reaching Advance dressing Station of No.2 C.F.A.” in the trenches north of Wulverghem January 8, 1916. He is buried in Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery, grave I.E.33, Flanders, Belgium.  We can see that the young man spent only 31 days in the service of the 3^rd Battalion. Age 15. 

Baptism Certificate 1900 Private Harry Sherman Pope

His attestation paper and service record at Library and Archives Canada can be found HERE
His page on the Veteran Affairs Canada Virtual Memorial can be found HERE