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Private Maurice Rafael

View Attestation ImageAttestation record: Maurice Rafael
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PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name: Rafael, Maurice
Date of birth: 1896-12-13
Place of birth: Salonica Greece
Next of kin: Aaron Rafael; father; The Chittal Saltiel Co. Ltd., Salonica, Greece
Marital status: single
Occupation (attested): Clerk
Address: 397 Markham St., Toronto, Ontario
Religion: Jewish
Cause of death: Not specified

MILITARY INFORMATION

Regimental number: 3234278
Highest Rank: Private
Rank detail
  1. Private (Army).
  2. Private, 75th Battalion, Infantry (Army).
  3. Private (Army).
Survived war: yes

RESEARCH INFORMATION

LAC ID: 589702
Attestation record(s): image 1
Service file: B8069-S028
Uploader's Notes:

1079 - Welland Canal Force

Conscripted to 2nd Depot Battalion, 1st Central Ontario Regiment April 30, 1918 at Toronto, Ontario, previous service 16 months, Welland Canal Force

One of the recruits of the Welland Canal Force had an interesting history. Private Maurice Rafael had travelled thousands of miles before enlisting. The son of a Jewish chandler in Saloniki, Greece, he was educated in Ramsgate, England. When war broke out he attempted to enlist in the Imperial Army but was rejected. He went home to Saloniki, tried again to enlist in the British forces, and was again rejected. Through his father‟s influence he took passage on a ship to Africa, evaded the allied blockade and made his way to Marseilles, France, and then to New York. He crossed over to Canada at Bridgeburg and immediately joined the Welland Canal Force. Rafael was eventually transferred to the CEF in April 1918 after serving some 16 months with the WCF.

Uploader's Research notes: [Private Army Canadian Infantry 2nd Depot Battalion, 1st Central Ontario Regiment Private Army Canadian Infantry 75th Battalion Private Army Canadian Militia Welland Canal Force ]

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Date added: 2015-06-29
Last modified: 2018-12-18