Deseronto Archives

On this day in 1915, Arthur Markle was one of 46 men from the 5th Battalion  killed in action in an attack on German trenches at the Battle of Festubert in France. The battalion’s war diary describes the engagement:

5th Battalion war diary for 23-24 May 1915 at Library and Archives Canada

…May 24th 1915 K-5 [a German trench and machine-gun redoubt] was attacked at 2.35 a.m.; taken and held until relieved at midnight 24th/25th May.

Casualties:- 13 officers and 259 other ranks

Killed:- Major D. Tenaille; Capt. J.R. Innes-Hopkins; Capt. J. M. Currie; Capt. D. Meikle; Capt. C.E. McGee and 11 N.C.O’s and 30 men

Wounded:-Major N. I. Edgar; Major G. G. Morrris; Major E. Thornton; Capt. Geor. Endacott; Capt. Stanley Anderson; Capt. F. R. Davies, Lieut. D. Rundell; Lieut. B.C. Quinan and 30 N.C.O’s and 174 men

One non-commissioned officer and 13 men were listed missing in addition to these casualties.

As Arthur was buried near the front line his grave was not marked. He is remembered on the Vimy Ridge memorial.

Circumstances of casualty record at Library and Archives Canada for Arthur Markle