Monday, February 1, 2010

Private J. McKinstry - 767062


Photo of James George McKinstry
courtesy of the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

According to his attestation papers dated December 11, 1915 at Toronto, James George McKinstry of Mimico, was born on December 4, 1884 in Bradford, Ontario.  He listed his wife, Marjory McKinstry of Mimico, Ontario as his next of kin.  He was a tinsmith.  He indicated that he was a member of an active militia unit and that he had 8 years previous military experience with 10th R.G. Corps.  He was 31 years of age and stood 5 feet 6 1/2 inches tall.  He had brown eyes, brown hair and a medium complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England.  He had a scar on his left and right shins and his left hand. 

According to the 1914 Toronto City directory he lived on the east side of Elizabeth Street, Mimico. 

He was a corporal in the Canadian Pioneers, 123rd Battalion when he was killed on October 21, 1917.  According to the CEF burial register he was "killed in action while with his Platoon passing through Ypres, and returning from duty with a working party in the front line trenches, he was stuck by an enemy high velocity shell and instantly killed".  He is buried in the Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium.



Tombstone of James George McKinstry
courtesy of Gary Nelson as viewed on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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