Private Lancaster was the husband of Mary Jane
Lancaster of Milton, Ontario. As did many other Milton men, he
attested to the 164th Battalion on January 18, 1916.
He did not
arrive in England until May 22, 1917. Oddly he transferred into
the 2nd Reserve Battalion and then back out to the 164th in
April/May 1917.
After being transferred Private Lancaster was taken on
strength by the PPCLI (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light
Infantry) on March 23, 1918 (3rd Division, 7th Infantry Brigade).
"This is reported in the Part II Daily Orders of the PPCLI
of April 4, 1918, as part of a draft of 70 soldiers from the
164th Battalion. The War Diary of the 164th Battalion also notes
the draft of 70 men leaving for the PPCLI on March 28,
1918." (Michael Thierens).
His service records then show he went to the CCRC
(Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) on April 2, 1918 and
rejoined the PPCLI in early April 1918 (reported April 18,
1918). On September 28, 1918 he was reported missing from action
during "Canada's Hundred Days". The PPCLI had crossed
the Canal du Nord and were
west of Cambrai near where he is buried at Sailly.
The Virtual War Memorial reports by way of a news clipping
that he was 1 of 5 boys from the family that served in the Great
War.
Toronto Star November 9, 1918
Virtual War Memorial
