Feb 13, 1892

Born at Williamstown Ontario

Aug 7, 1914

Shown on pay sheet for 59^th Stormont & Glengarry Regiment

Nov 10, 1914

Promoted to rank of Sgt

Jun 7, 1915

Discharged on enlistment with the 59^th Battalion CEF

Jun 8, 1915

Attested into the 59^th Battalion (2^nd Draft) at Cornwall Ontario 

Ø      Number 454156

Ø      Next of kin given as John Cattanach (father) of Williamstown Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Student

Ø      Previous military experience given as 59^th Regiment’s Canal Guard for 10 months with rank of Sgt

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

Assigned to "A" Company

Nov 12, 1915

Embarked the SS Missanabie at Montreal Quebec

Nov 23, 1915

Disembarked at Plymouth England and proceeded to West Sandling Camp near Hythe, Kent 

Absorbed into the 39^th Battalion 

Promoted to rank of Acting Sgt

 
While in England with the 39th Battalion, he was employed as a Bayonet Instructor

Sep 7, 1916

Reverts to rank of Pte at own request in order to proceed to France 

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 8, 1916

Arrived at Canadian Base Depot, Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Sep 18, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion had just been relieved from the front line on the Somme where they had suffered 405 casualties in the previous 3 days

Sep 19, 1916

Appointed to rank of L/Cpl to replace RJ Hickey who had been promoted

Oct 28, 1916

Promoted to rank of Sgt to replace Sgt GJL Jones who was declared medically unfit for further service

Dec 5, 1916

Admitted to No 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with Laryngitis

Dec 8, 1916

Transferred to Division Rest Station at No 4 CFA

Dec 27, 1916

Returned to duty from hospital

Jan 17, 1917

Admitted to No 5 CFA then transferred to No 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with a slight shrapnel wound to head

Jan 18, 1917

Transferred to No 22 General Hospital at Camiers

Jan 22, 1917

Transferred to No 6 Convalescent Depot at Etaples

Jan 23, 1917

Transferred to No 5 Convalescent Depot at Cayeux

Mar 7, 1917

Discharged to Canadian Base Depot at Havre and posted to “A” (for men recuperating from wounds)

Mar 12, 1917

Awarded the Military Medal per the London Gazette #29981

This was awarded for his actions during the Calonne Trench Raid, January 17, 1917 and the citation reads "For marked courage and devotion to duty during the attack on the German lines.  Single-handed he succeeded in over coming a large number of the enemy, and by his own personal courage and coolness set an excellent example to his section.   Auth A.F.W. 3121."

Mar 31, 1917

Left CBD to rejoin 21^st Battalion

Apr 2, 1917

Rejoined Battalion from Hospital

Aug 20, 1917

Admitted to  No 11 General Hospital at Dannes Camiers with shrapnel wound to neck

Nov 1, 1917

Transferred to No 4 General Hospital at Dannes Camiers

Nov 3, 1917

Transferred to No 6 Convalescent Depot at Etaples

Nov 5, 1917

Discharged from No 6 Convalescent Depot at Etaples to the Details Camp

Nov 9, 1917

Arrived at CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) and left immediately to join unit

Dec 31, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

Jan 20, 1918

Returned from leave

Jan 25, 1918

Admitted to No 58 CCS for dental care then discharged to CC Rein C

Feb 8, 1918

Rejoined unit from CC Rein C

Above is from the 21^st Battalion War Diary

Below is a map from the War Diary showing the Company placements.  I have marked in red the area where I believe Sgt Cattanach would have been killed.  If it wasn’t in that spot, it would be in the general area.  This area can be cross referenced to a map of today at Google maps here  Just zoom into the area between Agny and Beaurains, due south of Arras.  Much of this area is still an undeveloped green space and the trench should be easily located today.

Above is from the book "The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders 1783-1951" by Lt Col W.Boss, CD, published in 1952

In 1924 his fiancé, Isabel MacIntosh from Lancaster Ontario,  visited his grave in the Dury Crucifix Cemetery

In the above letter the family was informed that the wood cross had been replaced with a permanent granite headstone.  The date is barely readable, 21 July, 1927.  Below on the left is an early photo of the new headstone, with a more recent photo on the right

Dury Crucifix Cemetery
Pas de Calais, France
The cemetery is located just off the D956 Hwy south east of Arras

Above is a family plot in St Andrew's United Church Cemetery, Williamstown Ontario, honouring Bill Cattanach's sacrifice in The Great War

Apr 25, 1918

Awarded Bar to Military Medal per London Gazette #30652

 This was for his actions during the raid by the German forces on March 4, 1918 and the citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  In connection with a hostile raid on a large scale when the enemy succeeded in entering our trenches under cover of an intense artillery barrage and the use of the liquid fire.  This NCO proceeded across "No Man's Land" through the intense barrage, and bombed inflicting casualties.  His great determination and disregard for personal safety not only assisted materially in our success, but was a great example to his comrades.  AFW 3121 7-3-18"

Feb 9, 1920

Memorial Cross sent to Mother at Williamstown Ontario

Mar 29, 1923

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to father at Williamstown Ontario

Each year on August 20th, the Book of Remembrance in the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa is turned to page 382 which shows his name.