Levine, Patrick

Private Patrick Levine was called up in January 1918 and served in France and Belgium in the last months of the war. He returned to Canada in May 1919.

Although his military service record is in the name of Patrick Levine, based on information in the file this soldier was most likely Patrick Lavigne. Patrick Lavigne was born on 27 November 1895 in Bathurst, Gloucester County, New Brunswick. He was baptized four days later (as Patrice) at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. His parents, Frederick (aka Alfred) Lavigne and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Watson, were both born in New Brunswick. Fred and Elizabeth lived in South Bathurst and they had at least 14 children between about 1886 and 1906. In the 1901 census Patrick’s birth date is recorded as 27 November 1895 and in 1911 it’s January 1896.

Conscription started in Canada in the summer of 1917, as the war entered its fourth year. Patrick was working at a camp near Keewatin, Ontario when he was called up under the Military Service Act. His recruitment paper lists his date of birth as 6 December 1896, his place of birth as Bathurst, New Brunswick and his occupation as fitter. He said his parents, Fred and Elizabeth, were both living and their address was South Bathurst, New Brunswick. Patrick had his medical exam on 17 January 1918 at Fort Osborne in Winnipeg and he was found fit for overseas service. He was called up six days later in Toronto and attached to the 1st Depot Battalion, 1st Central Ontario Regiment.

Depot units sent drafts of recruits overseas as needed and Patrick embarked for England in April on the SS Ulua. Two weeks after arriving he was transferred to the 12th Reserve Battalion and he trained with them for about four months. On 12 August he was drafted to a front line unit, the 20th Battalion, and sent to France. He joined the battalion in the field on 28 August and served with the unit in the final months of the war, a period known now as the Hundred Days Offensive. The Canadians were heavily involved in operations during that time, crossing the Canal du Nord in September, capturing Cambrai in October and advancing to Belgium.

On 11 November 1918 the 20th Battalion was on the outskirts of Mons and they marched into the city two days later. In December the battalion went to Germany as part of the occupying forces but Patrick was out of action from 19 November until 6 February 1919, spending most of that time at No. 7 Stationary Hospital in Camiers, France. He returned to England on 6 April and embarked for Canada on 3 May on the Royal George, arriving in Halifax about ten days later. He was discharged on demobilization on 15 May in St. John, New Brunswick. His intended residence was South Bathurst.

Patrick Lavigne was married on 27 July 1921 at the Holy Family Church in West Bathurst. His wife, Ellen (Lena) Malvyna Christie was born in West Bathurst in 1902, the daughter of Albert Christie and Theresa Bertin. Patrick and Lena lived in South Bathurst and they had at least six children: Hector, Eugene, Ronald, Glen, Mabel and Marilyn.

Patrick passed away in 1971 and Lena in 1978. They are buried at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Cemetery in Bathurst, along with other family members.

By Becky Johnson

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