Private James Brydon

Private James Brydon, 46th ( South Saskatchewan ) Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He was killed in action in France, aged 34, on 10th April 1917 during the Battle of Arras and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, France.  He was born in Allanshaws, Ladhope, Roxburghshire and was the son of Elizabeth and the late Robert Brydon of Eskdale Cottage, Stow.  After emigrating to Canada he had worked as a herdsman on the University farm. In March 1916 he enlisted in the 196th ( Western Universities ) Battalion at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This Battalion was the only Battalion raised by Universities and was largely composed on university staff and students from the Universities of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.  He went to France in November 1916 where he joined the 46th Battalion. He fell during the capture of Vimy Ridge by the Canadian Division which was the first part of the Battle. The photographs show the victorious Canadian advancing over the Ridge.