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Nov 28, 1898
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Born in Herman, Ontario to Charles William and
Mary Ann (nee Stevens) Coleman
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Jan 31, 1916
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Attested into the 155th Battalion CEF
in Bancroft, Ontario
Ø Number 636517
Ø Next of kin given as Charles
William Coleman, father, Belleville, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as
Labourer
Ø No previous military
experience given
Ø Religion given as Church of
England
The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario
area
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Oct 17, 1916
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Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Oct 18, 1916
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Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal
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Oct 28, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the
battalion proceeded to Bramshott to continue training
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Nov 23, 1916
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Reverted to the rank of Private at his own
request
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Dec 5, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Dec 6, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 147 reinforcements from
England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion
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Dec 8, 1916
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After leaving the base depot, William Coleman
joined the 21st Battalion resting in Bully Grenay, France and was
posted to 14 Platoon, “D” Company along with his brother, Charlie Coleman
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May 8, 1917
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While in the front line trench near the railway
line east of Vimy Ridge, William Coleman received a shrapnel wound to his
left hand and was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for
first aid before being transported to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance
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May 12, 1917
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Discharged to duty from the field ambulance
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Dec 28, 1917
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Granted 14 days leave
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Jan 13, 1918
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Rejoined the battalion resting in Auchy au Bois,
France
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Jan 31, 1918
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Awarded the Good Conduct Badge
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Mar 16, 1918
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Granted 14 days leave to England
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Apr 4, 1918
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Rejoined the battalion in the support trench near
Neuville Vitasse, France
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Apr 22, 1918
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Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal
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Aug 8, 1918
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During the liberation of the town of Marcelcave,
France, William Coleman receive a shrapnel wound to his right leg and was
evacuated to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance.
Transferred the same day to the No. 5 CCS
(Casualty Clearing Station)
This was the same day the Commanding Officer,
Lieutenant Colonel EW Jones DSO was killed in action during the advance on
the town.
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Aug 9, 1918
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Transferred via the No. 26 AT (Ambulance Train)
and admitted to the No. 11 Stationary Hospital in Rouen
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Aug 20, 1918
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Transferred via the No. 42 Ambulance Train and
admitted to the No. 72 General Hospital in Trouville
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Aug 23, 1918
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Transferred to the No. 15 Convalescent Depot in
Trouville to continue his recovery
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Aug 29, 1918
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Promoted to the rank of Corporal
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Oct 5, 1918
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Discharged to base depot in Havre for light duty
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Oct 8, 1918
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Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base
Depot) in Etaples and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds
and illness
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Oct 20, 1918
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After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC
Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France
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Dec 3, 1918
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Granted 14 days leave
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Dec 24, 1918
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While William Coleman was on leave, the 21st
Battalion entered Germany as part of the Occupying Force and he rejoined the
battalion in Seigburg, Germany at the end of his leave.
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Apr 3, 1919
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Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France
On arrival in England, he was posted to the
Canadian Concentration Camp in Witley and attached to “P” Wing pending return
to Canada
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Apr 23, 1919
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Promoted to the rank of Sergeant
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May 14, 1919
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Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool
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May 22, 1919
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Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded
to Kingston, Ontario by train
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May 24, 1919
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Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario
Ø Rank on discharge Corporal
o
Even
though he had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant, for some reason that was
not recorded on his discharge certificate
Ø War Service Badge Class “A”
issued number 279950
Ø Proposed residence on
discharge c/o William Adams, Box 104 Belleville, Ontario
Following his discharge, the British War Medal
and Victory Medals were sent to him at c/o William Adams (brother-in-law),
Box 104 Belleville, Ontario
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Jul 24, 1923
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Married to Mary Tredwell in Bancroft, Ontario
William Joel Coleman died in 1983 and was buried
in the Belleville, Ontario Cemetery
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