Source: Casualties Toronto World March 29, 1916
Family Search:
Corporal Joseph Sharp McVittie, reg. no. 54104.
This man was enlisted with the 18th Battalion at London, Ontario on 1 December 1914.
He was an auto mechanic following the Anglican faith.
He was single and listed his father Joseph Sharp McVittie, of Cleator, Cumberland, England, as his next-of-kin. He had 2 months military experience with the 5th Batter, Border Regiment, a Territorial unit in the British Army.
He trained with the 18th Battalion in London until its departure for England in April 1915, arriving at England aboard the SS Grampian on 29 April 1915 and began the next stage of his training at West Sandling Camp along with the rest of the 2nd Canadian Contingent (Division).
The 2nd Contingent, along with the 18th Battalion, embarked for Belgium on 15 September 1915 and arrived for service in the front line 23 September 1915 to begin their tour of service which ended in March 1919.
He served with the 18th Battalion and was promoted Corporal on 10 December 1915 and was killed in action on 13 March 1916 by a bullet which struck him in the head. The Battalion was located near Dead Dog Farm near Ridgewood Cemetery and on that day he was the only soldier killed in action with the Battalion.
He is buried at Ridge Wood Military Cemetery near the town of Vierstraat, Belgium.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 