Regimental Number: 437637; M56292
Rank: Private
Branch: 15th Battalion
Finlay was born in Belfast, Ireland on September 16, 1891. His parents immigrated to Canada with their nine children in 1908; Finlay filed on homesteads at NE 9-71-8-W6 and NW 33-70-8-W6 in 1910. In August of 1915, Finlay enlisted in the Canadian Army. His brother Robert also served during World War I. Finlay received a bayonet wound to his right leg at Vimy on April 30, 1917 when he went over the top and landed on a spiked bayonet (see his June 1917 letter for more details about the injury). He also suffered from accidental abrasions to his face and hands in August of 1917. Finlay’s wife was named Mabel. During World War II, Finlay served with the Veterans Guard at a POW camp in Lethbridge. He died there on February 2, 1945 and was buried in the Lake Saskatoon Cemetery.
Sources: additional news clippings, including those listed as Finlay; Pioneers of the Peace p. 119; Along the Wapiti p. 401, 411