Private Josaphat Come Gatien LaLiberte

1. Private, 3rd Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1915-09-07 to 1916-08-04
2. Private (Army). 1915-06-27 to 1915-09-06
3. Private (Army). 1915-05-24 to 1915-06-27
4. Corporal (Army). 1915-04-15 to 1915-05-24
5. Private (Army). 1915-03-06 to 1915-04-15
6. Private, 22nd Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1914-10-24 to 1915-03-01

Son of Ludger LaLiberte and Eugenie LaLiberte (nee Hamel)

First attested October 24, 1914 in the 22nd Battalion (Service No. 61703), but was discharged March 1, 1915 for drunkenness. He reattested March 6, 1915 in the 41st Battalion and was assigned to the 1st Reinforcing Draft

He was executed by firing squad for desertion after because deserted his battalion and refused to go to the front. He was arrested for desertion and was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. At the time he deserted, the 3rd Battalion was going into action in the Battle of Mount Sorrel.

Buried next to 10701 JH Wilson who was executed on 7 Sep 1916.

"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.