Johnnie Bessette

Not much is known about John “Johnnie” Claude Bessette.  We do know he was 41 years old, single and farming in Lumby when he enlisted in the 102^nd (Comox-Atlin) Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.).  He would be paid $1.10 a day or roughly $34.10 a month for his service.

Johnnie was in good health, standing 5’ 4 inches tall and weighing 145 pounds.

On June 20^th, 2016, he sailed from Halifax aboard the H.M.S. Empress of Britain and arrived in Liverpool England on June 28^th, 1916.  He was sent to France on August 11^th 1916.

On August 31, Johnnie received a gunshot wound to his right buttock.  After a short convalescence, he was sent back to the field.  On October 21, 2016, Johnnie was part of a working party repairing a trench near the front line when he was instantly killed by an enemy high explosive shell.