Lance Corporal Henry Primeau
Survivor of WW1
Service Biography
Henry Primeau was born at Howick, Quebec, on 1 September 1898. A single Roman Catholic labourer living in Montreal, he enlisted there on 3 October 1916 as Private 856770 with the 178th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was appointed Lance Corporal effective 1 November 1916. After being absent without leave, he was found illegally absent from 2 February 1917 and was struck off strength as a deserter.
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
856770
Cause of Death (in war):
Survived
Branch:
Canadian Expeditionary Force
Regiment:
Canadian Infantry
Battalion:
178th Battalion
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Howick, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
18 years 1 month
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
18 years 5 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Labourer
Next of Kin:
Joseph Primeau, grandfather, 559 Montcalm Street, Montreal, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
559 Montcalm Street, Montreal, Quebec
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Place of Enlistment:
Montreal, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
No
Height:
5 ft 3.5 in / 161 cm
Weight:
110 lbs / 50 kg
Chest:
33.5 in / 85 cm
Expansion:
4.0 in / 10 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Canada
Place of Discharge:
Discharge Type:
Discharge due to Courts Martial
Discharge Notes:
Deserter; illegally absent from 2 February 1917.
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
122 days in service
Buried at:
Links
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Lance Corporal |
Canadian Infantry |
Canadian Expeditionary Force |
178th Battalion |
|
|
|
| WW1 |
Private |
Canadian Infantry |
Canadian Expeditionary Force |
178th Battalion |
|
|
|
Service Chronology
1898-09-01 — Born
1916-10-03 — Enlisted
1916-11-01 — Appointed Lance Corporal
1917-01 — Absent without leave; one day of pay forfeited
1917-02-02 — Absent without leave from this date
1917-02-10 — Pay account closed; nine days forfeited for AWL
1917-02-02 — Found illegally absent and struck off strength as a deserter
Additional Service Notes
Henry Primeau enlisted at Montreal on 3 October 1916 as Private 856770 with the 178th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was appointed Lance Corporal effective 1 November 1916 under R.O. 242 of 3 November 1916. His pay record documents absence without leave in January 1917 and again from 2 February 1917. The Casualty Form records that he was found illegally absent from 2 February 1917 and struck off strength as a deserter. His service was entirely in Canada.
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Joseph Primeau, grandfather, 559 Montcalm Street, Montreal, Quebec. Family particulars state that both parents were deceased.
Version: 3 Last modified: 2026-09-03 02:05:03
by: marc
