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Almon, Lt. John Egan, Bright Bank, Alberta, originally of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Occupation: Farmer. Military Service: Private, Lieutenant, No. 773, PPCLI, Attestation Papers. Diary Reference: “Further names I remember as having been killed … [J. E.] Almon,” 5:1 Nov ’17. According to Hodder-Williams, 73, Lt. Almon was wounded on 8 May 1915 and killed at Passchendaele on 30 October 1917.
Additional Biographical Information
Lt. John E. Almon was a 34 year old farmer prior to enlisting with the PPCLI in August 1914. He went to England with the 1st Canadian Contingent in October 1914 and crossed to France in December that same year. He saw action at the 2nd Battle of Ypres, the Battle of Frezenberg, and was wounded on Bellewaerde Ridge on 8 May 1915. Returning in October 1915, he saw action again during the Battle of Sanctuary Wood, but survived and became a field commissioned lieutenant. He fought at the Battles of Flers-Courcelette and Ancre Heights, but became ill and returned to England in October 1916. He rejoined the unit in the Vimy Ridge Sector 1 April 1917 and was attached to the 3rd Canadian Division Pack Train the following day, then to the 3rd Canadian Entrenching Bn. on 22 June 1917. Five days later, he rejoined the PPCLI and fought at the Battle of Passchendaele in the Ypres Sector where he was killed in action during the assault on Meetcheele Ridge, 30 October 1917. See Stephen K. Newman, With the Patricia’s in Flanders 1914-1918, 129.
Date of Death: 30 October 1917. See casualty details, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Buried at Passchendaele New British Cemetery, near Zonnebeke, West Flanders, Belgium. Grave Reference: X.D.3.
