Private Jordan
initially attested to the 84th Infantry Battalion CEF, as shown
by his regimental number. It is reported that he lived in Milton
at some time, however he reported his wife Lizzie was living in
Brantford when he attested on September 15, 1915.
The 84th was broken up and absorbed by the 51st Battalion,
which provided Garrison Duty in the UK. Arthur's records show he
passed through the 75th on his way to the Canadian Casualty
Assembly Centre (CCAC - medical) then 1st Depot Battalion, prior
to reversing his path back through the 84th to the 75th, at
which time he shipped off to France late November/December 1916.OIn January
2, 1917 he was taken-on-strength to the 16th Canadian
Machine Gun Company of the 4th Canadian Division.
Private Jordan was reported KIA on October 29, 1917 at which
time the CEF was fighting the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele
- Slaughter in the Mud). Private Jordan is one of few
Privates ever recorded killed in action and buried in the unit
war diary (see
notice here).
We must presume that the burial ground was later destroyed in
the battle and his body was never recovered. The grave of Lt.
Leo Gauvreau, who was killed that day and buried with Private
Jordan, was later moved to Dochy Farm New British Cemetery.
The war diary of October
29th refers to the death. The unit was providing
"indirect machine gun fire" to fend off German attacks
on the Canadian infantry at this time. The picture from Library
and Archives Canada (click on image to enlarge) tells the story
of the life and times of the 16th Machine Gun Company far better
than any words!
