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 (UK), 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 Bridage, 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.

At the time of his loss, just 19 days later, on August 31st, the 4th CMR had been part of an attack on Monchy-le-Preux, near Arras, France, on August 29th, and had, under extreme counter fire, taken significant ground and prisoners.

After the action on the 29th, 4th CMR losses amounted to 4 officers killed, 11 wounded, 22 other ranks killed, 214 wounded.

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.