Platoon photo including Pte Robert Holmes Gillespie, 3 Platoon, A Company, 131st Battalion, CEF. He joined the 131st Battalion on 9 June 1916. "Pr." (Private) Robert Holmes Gillespie # 791153 above the man in the front row with the 'A4' on him." THIS ATTACHED PHOTO IS FROM THE 131ST BATTALION, CEF BOOK PUBLISHED IN 1916. PTE R.H. GILLESPIE IS IDENTIFIED AS A MEMBER OF 3 PLATOON. IT IS NOT CERTAIN IF THIS PHOTO IS THE SAME ONE IN THE COLLECTION. HE IS IDENTIFIED AS BEING IN THE SECOND ROW (FROM THE TOP) AND SECOND MAN FROM THE RIGHT. These are from the effects of 791153 Robert Holmes Gillespie. He served in the 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles 5 years before the war and then enlisted in the 131st Battalion, CEF and then fought with the 29th (BC) Battalion, CEF. He later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force). It looks like he officially discharged from the CEF to join the RFC. It does not appear that he ever served in Imperial Seaforth Highlanders, the 72nd Regiment Seaforth Highlanders of Canada or the 72nd Battalion, CEF. His CEF Service file is attached elsewhere. It stops when he joined the RFC. He became missing and later confirmed killed in action while with the Royal Flying Corps on 7 August, 1918 while a 2Lt with 15 Squadron. He is buried in Grave A.15 Fienvillers British Cemetery, France. The 131st Battalion, CEF was based in New Westminster and began recruiting in late 1915 in that city. After sailing to England in November 1916, the battalion was absorbed into the 30th Battalion, CEF on November 14, 1916. These soldiers were then sent to France as reinforcements.