The attestation records of the soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary
Force also contain the results of the initial medical examinations which
were often performed before the enlistment forms were actually signed.
Relatively consistent information is thus available relating to the general
physical characteristics of the recruits (height, complexion, hair colour,
eye colour). Although weight was also recorded, I decided not to
retain this trait it as it was much less a genetic trait, but more dependant
upon living conditions. Similarly, it could be argued that complexion
might be a factor of occupation rather than simply genetics. However,
an interesting pattern emerged early on in the recording and so it is retain
for its curiosity value only.
| Height (inches) between |
|
| less than 5 ft (4 ft 10 in) |
1 |
| 5 ft 00 - 5 ft 1 |
1 |
| 5 ft 1 - 5 ft 2 |
4 |
| 5 ft 2 - 5 ft 3 |
6 |
| 5 ft 3 - 5 ft 4 |
3 |
| 5 ft 4 - 5 ft 5 |
18 |
| 5 ft 5 - 5 ft 6 |
15 |
| 5 ft 6 - 5 ft 7 |
5 |
| 5 ft 7 - 5 ft 8 |
18 |
| 5 ft 8 - 5 ft 9 |
5 |
| 5 ft 9 - 5 ft 10 |
4 |
| 5 ft 10 - 5 ft 11 |
2 |
| 5 ft 11 - 5 ft 12 |
2 |
| greater than 6 ft 00 (6 ft 1) |
1 |
|
| Complexion |
|
| brown |
5 |
| dark |
35 |
| medium dark |
1 |
| medium |
20 |
| ruddy |
3 |
| swarthy |
1 |
| fair |
21 |
| fresh |
1 |
| clear |
1 |
|
| Eye colour |
|
| blue |
29 |
| brown |
42 |
| hazel |
8 |
| light brown |
1 |
| grey |
8 |
| Hair colour |
|
| auburn |
1 |
| black |
22 |
| blond |
1 |
| brown |
39 |
| dark |
5 |
| dark brown |
8 |
| fair |
7 |
| light brown |
4 |
| steel grey |
1 |
|
While it may be unjust to attempt to characterize a group of 89 individuals
using average characteristics, it is fair to say that there are strong
tendencies among the physical traits listed above. For example, the
great majority of the Pilon soldiers were between 5 ft 5 in and 5 ft 8
in. Similarly, complexions are dark, as is hair colour and eye colour,
although eye colour also shows a strong tendency towards blue eyes.
An interesting question thus emerges. Given that these Pilons, while
almost certainly from different branches of descendants of a common XVIIth
century French ancestor are remarkably similar, at least in these superficial
traits, can it be said that these common traits, in fact, reflect traits
of that common ancestor.
|
