This is part of a series of essays about the First World War casualties commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Massachusetts.

Alfred Desmarais was born in Massachusetts on 13 March 1882 into a French Canadian family; his father had emigrated to the United States as a young child. Prior to his enlistment he worked as a shoemaker.^[1]

Desmarais enlisted on 23 April 1918 at Montreal and joined 1^st Depot Battalion, 1^st Quebec Regiment and was allocated the number 3083903. Although transferred to the 8^th Overseas Draft in mid-May, while at Halifax prior to embarkation Desmarais had a ‘fit’ and was sent for examination at the Station Hospital. Diagnosed with epilepsy, his medical category was reduced firstly to ‘C-1’, fit for garrison service, and then to ‘E’, unfit for further service. He was readmitted to hospital on 9 August having had another ‘fit’ but the doctor examining him stated that he did not see a reason to admit him to hospital every time he had an episode because he was awaiting discharge. Desmarais was sent to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu to await final processing an accommodated at the National Hotel. He died there in his sleep on the night of 18/19 August 1918. His remains were returned to his family and he was buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Marlborough. His grave (L-517) is in a family plot.

Private Alfred Desmarais is commemorated on page 397 of the Canadian First World War Book of Remembrance; that page is displayed on 27 August.

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1. (Back) Joseph Desmarais (1846-1913) married Melvina Lacouture (1850-1915) on 24 June 1866 in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Three of their eight children survived childhood: Emma (27 August 1870-NK); Philias (12 October 1973-1938).