2304404 Pte. Frank Vassler
Served as Vassler - real name Francois Auguste Vasselin.
Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery
Averdoingt
Pas de Calais
France
Born in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands (GB), in October 1883, Francois signed up into the 109th Draft and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Canadian Overseas Regiment, in Toronto in July 1917.
A resident of New York at the time, and a Butler by trade, Francois attested into the Canadian Army under the name of Frank Vasselin. His brother, identified as Arthur Vasselin, seems to have been serving with the 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, British Expeditionary Force, then already serving in France. There are currently no details on the reason for the change of their surname.
The 1st Battalion, 1st C.O.R. supplied 249 men to the 4th CMR between June and November 1918, and Francoise joined the 4th CMR in the field on August 12th, 1918.
Just 16 days later, as the 4th CMR were taking their part in the attack attack on Monchy-le-Preux, near Arras, France, where, under extreme counter fire, they had taken significant ground and prisoners, Francois was wounded by gas shell on August 25th. Sadly he died of his wounds on August 31st, 1918.
Pte. Frank (Francois Auguste Vasselin) Vassler is one of 20 men of the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles who are known to lie at rest in
Ligny-St.Flochel British Cemetery, Averdoingt, France.
Biography excerpt courtesy of 4cmr.com
Image supplied by Yvo Henniker-Heaton, with thanks.