Private John Alfonso Fahey was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on December 21, 1896, to parents Joseph and Ella Fahey. Prior to his enlistment, Fahey served with the 100th Winnipeg Grenadiers and the 34th Fort Garry Horse.

He enlisted in Winnipeg with the 78th Battalion on July 4, 1915, and in September proceeded overseas from Montreal, Québec, to England, aboard the SS Corsican. Fahey was sent to France in March 1916, where he joined the 28th Battalion. Fahey was killed in action at Passchendaele, Belgium, on November 6, 1917, age twenty. Fahey’s body was never found. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

Fahey’s older brother, Lieutenant Ernest Edward Fahey, also fought in World War I. He was killed September 27, 1918, while serving with the 78th Battalion.

Content notes:
The collection has only one item, a newspaper clipping reporting on Fahey’s death.

External links:
Pte. John Alfonso Fahey’s service record (Serv/Reg# 147451) can be viewed/downloaded through Library and Archives Canada.
Burial information is available at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
A memorial page honouring Pte. Fahey can be visited online at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.

Lieutenant Ernest Fahey’s service record (Serv/Reg# 20984) at Library and Archives Canada.
Burial information is available at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
A memorial page honouring Lt. Fahey can be visited online at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.

[Editor’s note: Collection reviewed April 2023. Transcription updated and Collection Description expanded.]