Jan 18, 1898         Born at Toronto Ontario 

He lied about his age on Attestation when sworn into the CEF.  His birth registration is below showing the correct date.

Dec 28, 1915

Attested into the 101^st Battalion CEF at Winnipeg Manitoba 

Ø      Number 700471

Ø      Next of kin given as William Edison Cochenour (father) of Nicola British Columbia

Ø      Previous occupation given as Expressman

Ø      His current address was given as the Wolseley Hotel, Winnipeg Manitoba

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to the Machine Gun Section

Jun 28, 1916

Embarked the RMS Olympic at Halifax Nova Scotia

Jul 6, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the Sandling Camp, near Hythe Kent

Jul 13, 1916

The entire 101^st Battalion was absorbed into the 17^th Reserve Battalion at East Sandling Camp.  The 101^st Battalion ceased to exist at this time.

Dec 13, 1916

TOS the 32^nd Reserve Battalion

Jan 4, 1917

TOS the 6^th Reserve Battalion and posted to the Signals Base at West Sandling Camp

Mar 6, 1917

Arrived at CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at Havre France and TOS the 21^st Battalion

Mar 31, 1917

Left CBD to join the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion for an introduction to trench life

Apr 2, 1917

Joined the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion in the Field

Apr 4, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in Billets training for the attack at Vimy Ridge.

May 9, 1917          Killed In Action

He was initially buried in the Vimy Sector, near Fresnoy

Above from the 21^st Battalion Part II Orders

May 23, 1918       

When the Department of Graves Registration were attempting to consolidate the cemeteries, his body could not be located.  This would most likely have been caused by the constant artillery barrages that took place which destroyed many of the existing cemeteries.  As a result of his body not being located, he is commemorated on the Vimy Ridge Memorial.  As snap of his name on that memorial is below.

Feb 24, 1921

Beginning on this date, and on subsequent dates, the following were sent to his family at Merritt British Columbia: 

To William E Cochenour (father)  

Plaque and Scroll 

To Matilda Cochenour (mother) 

Memorial Cross 

Jan 25, 1923

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to his father at Merritt British Columbia