Private Dimitro Sinizki

Private, 52nd Battalion, Infantry (Army).

Surname is spelled as Sinicky (attestation paper), Siniski, and is mentioned as changed to Sinizki in service file (LAC digitised service file, pg. 8).

When on active service, misbehaving before the enemy in such a manner as to show cowardice. Refused to put on equipment and move to the front. Next night, while the accused was being marched up to the front under escort, he sat down and refused to move. Accused said he was afraid and feared being wounded.

Tried on 12 Sept 1917. Executed on 9 Oct 1917.

Son of Harry and Efrosinia Sinizki of Kiev, Russia.

"Those who go to war at the request of their nation do not know the fate that lies in store for them. This was a war of such overwhelming sound, fury and unrelenting horror that few combatants could remain unaffected," said Minister Duhamel. "While we cannot relive those awful years of a nation at peril in total war, and although the culture of that time is subsequently too distant for us to comprehend fully, we can give these 23 soldiers a dignity that is their due, and provide closure to their families." (The Honourable Ron J. Duhamel, Minister of Veterans Affairs 11 December 2001)

The Government of Canada has offered an apology and formally announced its regret for this situation. On December 11, 2001, Veteran Affairs Minister, Dr. Ron Duhamel rose in the House of Commons and with sincerity and passion, read the names of those 23 Canadians into the Parliamentary record and announced their names will be written into Parliament Hill's Book of Remembrance. He was whole-heartedly supported by all of Canada's opposition Parties.