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May 7, 1881
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Born in Herstmonceux, Sussex,
England to Lester and Ann (nee Sargent) Billings
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Mar 20, 1906
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Embarked the SS Montrose in Liverpool,
England with his wife Ellen and 2-year-old daughter Nora
The ship’s manifest lists his
occupation as Painter
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Mar 31, 1906
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Disembarked in Saint John, New
Brunswick and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario
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Jun 1, 1911
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The Canadian Census shows him
living at 410 Concord Ave., Toronto, Ontario with his wife Ellen and daughter
Nora and his occupation is listed as Decorator
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Nov 17, 1914
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Attested into the 21st
Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 59065 (temporary number 47)
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs. Ellen Billings, wife,
884½ Bloor St. West, Toronto, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Decorator
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Church of England
Ø Posted to “A” Company
The battalion trained in the Kingston
area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama in
Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport,
England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent
to continue training
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St. Seiriol in
Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Boulogne,
France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer
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Mar 15, 1916
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While out on a work party near
Messines Ridge, Belgium, Private Billings was knocked down by the explosion
of an artillery shell and injured his left knee
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Mar 16, 1916
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Admitted to the No. 6 CFA
(Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Dislocation of Left
Knee
He was transferred the same
day to the No. 2 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment
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Mar 17, 1916
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Transferred via the No. 23 AT
(Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital and
Osteo Arthritis is added to the diagnosis
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Mar 21, 1916
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Invalided to England aboard
the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen
On arrival in England he was
admitted to the Graylingwell Hospital in Chichester and Rheumatoid Arthritis
of the left knee is added to the diagnosis
Transferred to the CCAC
(Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital
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Apr 3, 1916
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Transferred to the Canadian
Convalescent Hospital in Monks Horton
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Apr 17, 1916
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Transferred to the Canadian
Granville Special Hospital in Ramsgate
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May 4, 1916
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Discharged from hospital with
a recommendation that he is no longer fit for service
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May 6, 1916
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Transferred to the CCD
(Canadian Convalescent Depot) in Bath pending discharge
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May 25, 1916
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Disembarked the SS Olympic in
Quebec City, Quebec
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May 27, 1916
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Medical Board in Quebec City
recommends he be discharged as Medically Unfit for Service
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Jun 23, 1916
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Medical Board held at the
Central Military Convalescent Hospital in Toronto, Ontario notes that the
patient suffers from marked Osteo Arthritis of the left knee that is
considered permanent. He would benefit
from a further 2 months of treatment at this hospital
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Aug 15, 1916
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Medical Board held at the
Canadian Military Convalescent Hospital in Toronto notes that the left leg is
practically straight and painful when weight is placed on it. The board recommends 2 months treatment as
an out-patient
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Oct 11, 1916
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Medical Board held at the
Spadina Military Hospital in Toronto, notes that there is considerable
swelling and pain in the left knee.
The board recommends treatment in a convalescent home.
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Dec 13, 1916
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Medical Board held at the
Spadina Military Hospital in Toronto, notes that the knee is improving with
treatment but there is little range of movement. The board recommends another 3 months of
rest and treatment in a convalescent home.
If no improvement is noted at that point, surgery is recommended
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Apr 1, 1917
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Admitted to the MHCC (Military
Hospitals Commission of Canada) College Hospital in Toronto to be treated as
an out-patient
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Apr 30, 1917
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Discharged from the CEF in
Toronto, Ontario with a recommendation to receive a disability pension
Ø Rank on discharge
Private
Ø War Service Badge
Class “A” issued
Ø Residence on
discharge 14 Roselawn Ave., Toronto, Ontario
Following his discharge, the
1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 358
Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario
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May 11, 1917
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Discharged from hospital care
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Apr 22, 1927
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William Henry Billings died
while a patient in the St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto of Pulmonary
Tuberculosis and was later buried in the Prospect Cemetery, Toronto
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