Pte. Anto Bacino

The First World War • The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 4th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles  

Pte. Bacino was born on May 16, 1883, in Italy. He worked as a miner and resided in Bellevue, Alberta. His brother, Joe Bacino, lived in Hadera, California. He enlisted in Calgary, Alberta, on December 10, 1917, and trained at Sarcee Camp with the 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment before proceeding overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Pte. Bacino embarked for England on February 19, 1918, arriving on March 4, 1918. After further training and reinforcement processing within the Canadian system, he was assigned to the 4th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles and proceeded to France on June 17, 1918, joining the Canadian Corps reinforcement structure during the final months of the war.

After joining the 4th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles, Pte. Bacino served during the final phase of the First World War as the Canadian Corps advanced through France and Belgium. The 4th CMR took part in major operations of the Hundred Days Offensive, including the breakthrough at Amiens in August, the advance during the Second Battle of Arras, the assault on the Drocourt–Quéant section of the Hindenburg Line, and the crossing of the Canal du Nord. The battalion continued through fighting around Cambrai and into the liberation of Valenciennes in early November, advancing toward the Sambre in the final days before the Armistice.

While Pte. Bacino’s service record does not list specific engagements; these operations formed the context of his battalion’s activity in France. His record reflects reinforcements integrated into established fighting units during the final months of the war as the Canadian Corps advanced through the closing phase of the conflict.

His medical records note treatment for boils and scabies; conditions associated with crowded wartime camps and reinforcement depots. Despite these difficulties, Pte. Bacino remained in service during the final phase of the conflict and served within the Canadian Corps during the Hundred Days Offensive.

Following the Armistice, Pte. Bacino remained in service through demobilization before returning to Canada. His record reflects movement from immigrant mining communities in Alberta into the overseas reinforcement system of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War.

Pte. Bacino’s service medal card confirms entitlement to the British War Medal (1914–1918) and the Victory Medal for overseas service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Sources: Library and Archives Canada (Personnel Records of the First World War, CEF service file B0328-S067; attestation papers; LAC ID 18835).

Research and compiled by Luigi Audia