Private Thomas John Sawatis
Survivor of WW1
Service Biography
Thomas John Sawatis was born at St. Regis, Quebec, on 25 December 1881. A married labourer living in St. Catharines, Ontario, he attested for the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 14 February 1916 as Private 739275 and served in Canada with the 114th Overseas Battalion. He became illegally absent on 18 May 1916 and was discharged effective that date as a deserter.
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
739275
Cause of Death (in war):
Survived
Branch:
Canadian Expeditionary Force
Regiment:
Canadian Infantry
Battalion:
114th Overseas Battalion
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
St. Regis, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
34 years 1 month
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
34 years 4 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Labourer
Next of Kin:
Sarah Sawatis (wife), 51 Geneva Street, St. Catharines, Ontario
Address at Enlistment:
51 Geneva Street, St. Catharines, Ontario
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Place of Enlistment:
St. Catharines, Ontario
Was a Prisoner of War:
No
Height:
5 ft 3.5 in / 161 cm
Weight:
170 lbs / 77 kg
Chest:
39.0 in / 99 cm
Expansion:
3.5 in / 9 cm
Marital Status:
Married
Prior Military Experience:
Yes
Saw Service in:
Canada
Place of Discharge:
Discharge Type:
Discharge due to Courts Martial
Discharge Notes:
Discharged effective 18 May 1916 for illegal absence/desertion. The casualty form records him absent from 18 May; the Last Pay Certificate and Proceedings on Discharge use 18 May 1916 as the effective discharge date.
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
94 days in service
Buried at:
Links
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Private |
Canadian Infantry |
Canadian Expeditionary Force |
114th Overseas Battalion |
|
|
|
Service Chronology
1881-12-25 — Born.
1916-02-14 — Attested/enlisted in Canadian Expeditionary Force; 114th Overseas Battalion.
1916-05-18 — Became illegally absent; effective discharge date for illegal absence/desertion.
1916-07-14 — Casualty-form report records the earlier illegal absence/discharge.
Notes
Thomas John Sawatis was born at St. Regis, Quebec, on 25 December 1881. A married labourer living at 51 Geneva Street, St. Catharines, Ontario, he named his wife Sarah Sawatis as next of kin. He reported previous military service, although the surviving attestation does not provide a secure description or duration. His medical history records height 5 ft 3½ in, weight 170 lb and chest 35½–39 in.
Additional Service Notes
Private 739275 served in Canada with the 114th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. He became illegally absent on 18 May 1916 and was discharged effective that date. His discharge file is explicitly classified with deserter discharge documents.
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Wife and next of kin: Sarah Sawatis, 51 Geneva Street, St. Catharines, Ontario. Separation Allowance records identify her as his wife.
Version: 3 Last modified: 2026-09-07 02:05:03
by: marc
