Dec 24, 1898

Born in Erinsville, Ontario to John and Frances (nee Cassibo) Abrams

Feb 10, 1917

Attested into the 254^th Battalion CEF in Napanee, Ontario

Ø  Number 1093320

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. B. Thompson, mother, Napanee, Ontario Post Office

Ø  Previous occupation given as Clerk

o   Later noted as Clerk Grocer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

The battalion trained in the Belleville, Ontario area

May 29, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jun 9, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Seaford where it was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Nov 17, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France

Nov 24, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Abrams joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line east of Vimy Ridge and was posted to “A” Company

Aug 8, 1918

During the liberation of the town of Marcelcave, France, Private Abrams received shrapnel wounds to his left thigh and was evacuated to the No. 1 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 47 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Aug 9, 1918

Transferred via the No. 26 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 5 General Hospital in Rouen, France

Aug 23, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Essequibo

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, an affiliate of the 1^st London General Hospital in London

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Jan 17, 1919

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Feb 4, 1919

Transferred to the No. 4 Canadian General Hospital in Basingstoke

May 26, 1919

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Witley

Granted 10 days sick leave

Jun 7, 1919

Transferred to “M” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

Jul 2, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

Jul 8, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 3

Jul 11, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 213555

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge RR #2, Belleville, Ontario

He was entitled to receive the British War Medal and Victory Medals, however there is no indication in his file that they were ever sent to him

Dec 27, 1923

Married to Cloe May Lindsay in Bancroft, Ontario

Aug 7, 1958

Willam James Abrams died after falling from a ladder while working for the Public Utilities Water Dept. in Brantford, Ontario and was buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Brantford