192766 Walter Kimberley Beattie, enlisted with the 92nd Battalion (48th Highlanders) in Toronto on 20 August 1915. LCol George T. Chisholm, VD signed his Attestation Papers. Beattie claimed his date of birth was 2 March 1897. It would be discovered later to be 2 March 1900, making him 15 when he joined. He sailed to the UK with the 92nd Bn’s Reinforcing Draft, disembarking on 8 December, 1915 and was assigned to the 43rd Battalion at Sandling, then the 17th Battalion on 28 January 1916. He embarked for France on 15 March and was taken on strength of the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders) at Rouen on 18 March. and was initially assigned to No 1 Company, but later transferred to the Battalion’s Comms (Signals) section on 1 January 1917. He was with the 15th Battalion, 18 months, participating in the battles and events of:
. Mount Sorrel on 16 May 1916 followed by the RR Cut, the Bluff, Nordleulingham
. The Somme on 16 September 1916 followed by Gouy Servins Chateau, Christmas billets of Hallicourt
. Vimy Ridge on 17 April 1917
. Hill 70 on 17 August 1917
On 14 September 1917 Pte Beattie was Stuck off Strength and sent to hospital where they discovered he was underage, being only 16 at the time. He was sent back to Canada and discharged on 20 December 1917.
NOK: Mrs. Beattie (Mother) Derry St., Guelph, ON
After the war, Kim Beattie was was commissioned to write the history of the regiment from 1891 to 1929, including the First World War, and published privately by the Regiment [48th Highlanders of Canada 1891-1928]. Beattie enlisted for WW2, and was A/Captain in the 48th Highlanders, assigned to duties as Public Relations Officer for the 1st Canadian Corp. After the war he was commissioned again to write the history of his Regiment, from 1929 to 1956. [Dileas]. An accomplished poet, Beattie also authored a book of poems relating to WWI “And You” published in 1929.