Gravestone of Pte John M. Gillis, 72nd Battalion, CEF at Mountainview Cemetery, Vancouver in 1997. He died on 13 September 1934. On rear: "MV 97". 130213 John Malcolm Gillis originally enlisted in the 72nd Battalion but later transferred to the 224th (Forestry) Battalion, Canadian Forestry Corps and the 29th Battalion. He wasa logger by trade. CEF Service File attached. In 1916, the British government asked the government of Canada to recruit a specialized forestry battalion for service in Britain and France, where forestry skills were in short supply. In a period of six weeks, over 1,600 men were recruited for the unit, which was assigned such tasks as clearing sites to build airfields, manufacturing railroad ties, and producing lumber to shore up trenches and build barracks and hospitals. Not in the Regimental History, most likely as he did not go overseas with the 72nd Battalion.