Sergeant John Demetelin

Sergeant (Army).

Military Medal

Son of Demetrios and Marina Demetelin, of 144, St. Antoine St., Montreal, Canada. Native of Naxos Island, Greece. (Source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial).

His military attestation states that he is born in Montreal - further research is required to clarify.

There are two versions of the spelling of his name. The military attestation has Demetchin, while the CVWM has Demetelin.

The 5th CMR War Diary devotes a section to praising the work of Sgt. Demetelin in the entry for April 12th, 1917 - link to original. This time his name is spelled "Demetlin".

War Diary - 5th CMR

April 12, 1917

Good work of A/Sergt. DEMETLIN ("A" Coy.) During the attack he became detached from his Company. He attached himself to 8th M/G Coy. and continued the advance with them taking over one of the guns when the crew had become casualties, inflicting heavy loss upon a party of the enemy who were holding up the attack. Those of the party who were not casualties took shelter in dug-outs. Sgt. DEMETLIN took party of 6 men and bombed the dug-outs, taking prisoners 2 officers and 25 other ranks. Although wounded he took his prisoners to the rear and handed them over to escort before having his wounds dressed.