Tom Essery was part of the Second Battalion, First Canadian Brigade that was part of this action. It has been generally assumed that he died in the taking of Vimy Ridge, but in fact, his Battalion was mostly held in reserve that day.

The war that took Patrick's life also left his wife destitute and unable to care for her daughters. The temporary solution of parting with them to the care of someone else ultimately became a permanent break in the family; causing a fissure so deep that my mother and aunt rarely spoke of it and never knew their extended family. After my mother died, I began to look into her family tree. This is what I now know about my grandfather Patrick.

Private Carson was wounded during a major attack near Vimy Ridge and admitted to No.11 stationary hospital in Rouen, France, where his status was updated to “dangerously ill” on August 12,1918. He died of his wounds in hospital on August 18, 1918.

Jim served as an Artillery Officer through the battles of Regina Trench, Vimy Ridge, Arleux, Fresnoy, La Coulotte, Avion, Hill 70 and Passchendaele. He served continuously, except for 9 days leave.