Military service
Burial/memorial information
He sailed for Great Britain on May 20, 1915, arriving in Plymouth, England, on the 29th. On September 15, he set sail again from Folkestone, landing in Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais, France, on the same day with Company B.
‘’On November 28, [1915], General Watson, accompanied by one of his officers, Captain Drury, and Colonel De Prée, visited Major Tremblay in the Vierstraat trenches. The group's presence was reported, probably by one of the many reconnaissance planes flying over the trenches that day. The enemy artillery opened heavy fire. A shell fell near the visitors, killing one of our men [Desroches] and wounding Captain Drury and three soldiers. The others escaped unharmed, but were covered in mud." Histoire du 22e Bataillon canadien-français, Volume 1, 1914-1919, page 71.
Digital gallery of Private Vital Desroches
Digital gallery of
Private Vital Desroches
Digital gallery of
Private Vital Desroches
Digital gallery of
Private Vital Desroches
Image gallery
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 12 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
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LA LAITERIE MILITARY CEMETERY Belgium
LA LAITERIE MILITARY CEMETERY is located 7 Km south of Ieper town centre on the Kemmelseweg (N331), connecting Ieper to Kemmel.
From Ieper town centre the Kemmelseweg is reached via the Rijselsestraat, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and straight on towards Armentieres (N336). 900 metres after the crossroads is the right hand turning onto the Kemmelseweg made prominent by a level crossing. The cemetery is located on the right hand side of the road, 5 km after joining the Kemmelseweg.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
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