Sgt Frank Shrubshall born 26th November 1881, was the son of John & Ann Shrubshall of Faversham & brother to William, Thomas, Ellen, Percy, Hetty & Arthur. [His elder brother's son William died in the battle of Loos in October 1915], and husband to Edith. At the time of his enlistment he was married & living in Canada. He is in the 1891 census with his parents & siblings in Faversham, Kent, England, but doesn't appear in any others so presumably he emigrated to Canada sometime between 1891 & 1901. He joined the 126th Battalion, CEF, in Toronto, Ontario 13th March 1916 & was killed in action 2 Sep 1918 & is buried at Dury Mill British Cemetery. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal "For conspicuous gallantry during the operations south of Lihons on 10th August 1918, when the advance of his platoon was held up by an enemy machine gun post. He charged the position single-handed and, though the enemy got the gun away, he killed two of the crew. His action aided the advance of his platoon. During the entire action his example and disregard of his own safety were an inspiration to the men of his platoon." Unit recommendation dated 15th August 1918 "For splendid conduct during operations south of Lihons 10th August 1818." The 126th Battalion (Peel), CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WWI. It was based in Toronto, Ontario & sailed to England in August 1916 and was absorbed into the 109th & 116th Battalions CEF & the 8th Reserve Bn on Oct 13th 1916. By the end of 1916 having fought in many battles the Canadian army was the spearhead of many attacks during 1917 & 18. Frank must have died during the battle of the D-Q line. This was a line which ran between the French cities of Drocourt & Queant and was part of a defensive system that ran from a point within the Hindenburg Line, eleven miles west of Cambrai. At 5.00 in the morning on 2nd September 1918 the Canadians attacked the D-Q line supported by tanks and aircraft. In twilight, the Canadian 1st Division attacked the line south-eastwards, on the extreme right, south of the Arras-Cambrai road, The Canadian 4th Division attacked in the centre between Dury and the main road and the British 4th Division attacked south of the River Sensee. Sadly Frank died at some point during this battle. The next day the Germans retreated to the Hindenburg Line with the Allies taking many prisoners. His family back in Faversham must have already been missing him after he'd emigrated to Canada, now they had lost him forever, as had his widow. R.I.P.

SANDRA COLLINS