John Joseph Marrigan signature

On this day in 1917 John Joseph Marrigan, a machinist, enlisted in Toronto. He was born in Deseronto on December 27th, 1886, the son of hotel keeper Michael Marrigan and his wife, Elizabeth (née McVicker). Michael died in May 1914 and Elizabeth was still living in Deseronto when John enlisted. John’s cousin, Thomas Bernard Marrigan had signed up in May 1917.

Marrigan joined the York & Simcoe Foresters (part of the Canadian Forestry Corps) with the regimental number 2499026. He was described as being five feet eight and a half inches tall, with a medium complexion, grey eyes and medium hair. His service record shows that he left Canada aboard the troopship Wiamana in June 1918. From September 1918 he served in France with the Canadian Railway Troops, returning to England in January 1919. Marrigan left Liverpool on the SS Carmania on February 1st and was demobilized in Toronto on March 3rd.

In 1921 John was living at 28 West Aveune, Toronto, with his mother, brother and sister. A note on his service file states that he died in Scarborough on April 27th, 1963.