Soldier Record

The photo shows my grandfather, Demzil Jarvis, another quiet hero, in a a brief respite in hell....!

He was working as an Engineer in Canada when war broke out. He signed up on November 12 1914 in Toronto and served in the 20 Battalion Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force. After basic training he saw action in France and was involved at Paschendale and particularly Vimy Ridge. He took with him a camera which he recorded a large number of images of his training the front and also the end of the war marching into Cologne.Amongst these photos are a large number of those of his comrades many of whom are named by him in his album. Grandfather ended the war as a Sergeant and alongwith the three campaign medals was also awarded the meritorious service medal the circumstances of this award are not at this time known. His younger brother Wellesley Jarvis served in the 17 Battalion West Yorkshire Regt and was also involved at Paschendale. He died as a result of his wounds 31 October 1917 and is buried at Wimereux. Grandfather suffered serious injuries but survived the war and went to Rhodesia where he became a cattle farmer. He died in 1961 and is buried at the cemetary in Gwelo (Gweru Zimbabwe).