Peter Raymond signature

Peter Raymond, a mechanic, signed up in Timmins on this day in 1916. He stated that he was born in Deseronto on April 3rd, 1897. His parents were Louis Raymond and Adele (née Chartrand): they were living in Deseronto in 1891 with their children (seven at that point, Peter would be the tenth). They moved to New Liskeard, where Louis died of pneumonia in December 1909. Peter gave his current address as Schumacher, Ontario, and Adele’s as Uno Park.

Peter joined the 159th Battalion with the regimental number 649419. He was five feet five inches tall, with a fair complexion, brown eyes and black hair. His service record shows that Raymond arrived in England on November 11th, 1916 and was transferred to the 5th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops. He arrived in France on February 24th, 1917.

Raymond was twice promoted to Lance Corporal and twice requested to return to the ranks. He was twice disciplined for not obeying orders, the first time on October 31st, 1918:

Peter Raymond hesitating to obey order

31-10-18 Sentenced to 14 days F.P. [Field Punishment] #2 for W.O.A.S. [while on active service] (1) Hesitating to obey the order of a superior officer (2) Using obscene language.

Raymond arrived back in Halifax on the SS Megantic on March 5th, 1919. He was demobilized on March 31st. On August 10th, 1925 he married Lucienne Auger in Timmins, at which time he was working as a plumber.