237439 Sgt. James Rennie Canadian Expeditionary Force 129th Battalion from:Hamilton, Ontario (d.9th Apr 1917) James Rennie was born in Rothesay, Scotland on 23rd of October 1893 the only son of Robert and Jeanie Rennie. He emigrated to Canada in 1911 and lived first at McGowan Farm in Scarborough. He then lived at Aldershot and later on Hess Street in Hamilton with his sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Jack Morrison. His girlfriend at the time was Jeanie Gardener.
He enlisted in Dundas, Ontario on 14th of April 1916 in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was known for his ability as a boxer and long distance runner and represented the 129th Battalion in army sporting contests. He once ran against Tom Longboat of 107th Battalion, the famous Six Nations' distance runner, who became a dispatch carrier during the war and survived.
He was a friend of Ronald McKinnon and a photo taken in March 1917 of them has appeared in the journal "Stand To! No 84" in an article entitled Princess Patricia's Pals by Gordon McKinnon. Both Ronald and Jimmie died at Vimy Ridge. It is possible that they both were in the first wave.
James Rennie was first listed as Wounded in Action then Wounded and Missing, then Wounded and missing after action and finally Killed in Action 9th of April 1917.
A fellow soldier visited the family after the war and said that he saw James wounded but thought he would be all right and was surprised to find that he had died. His body was not found.
James Rennie is listed on the Vimy Memorial.
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