William George Drake



May 16, 1895

Born in London, England to John Philip and Annie (nee Hawes) Drake

He came to Canada in 1912

 

Apr 8, 1914

Volunteered in the Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 1724

Ø  Posted to the Signals Section

 

Nov 11, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

 

Ø  Number 59275 (temporary number 946)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. John Philip Drake, 17 Bryanstone Rd., Crouchland, London, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Clerk

o   Later noted as a Salesman of House Furnishings

Ø  Previous military experience given as 1 year in the Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles in Kingston

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to the Headquarters Signals Section

The 21st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

 

Feb 19, 1915

Appointed to the provisional rank of Lance Corporal

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Jul 1, 1915

Confirmed in the rank of Lance Corporal and to draw pay effective May 15, 1915

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

 

 

May 8, 1916

Granted 9 days leave

 

May 17, 1916

Rejoined the battalion resting in the “B” Camp near La Clytte, Belgium

 

Jun 20, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Corporal to replace Cpl Milby who had been promoted

 

Nov 24, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant to replace Sgt Milby who had proceeded to England

 

Sep 17, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

 

Sep 29, 1917

Rejoined the battalion in billets in Villers au Bois, France

 

Nov 1, 1917

Proceeded to England and transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) to be employed as an instructor

 

Nov 5, 1917

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Nov 16, 1917

Transferred to the CETD (Canadian Engineers Training Depot) in Seaford

 

Dec 1, 1917

Attached to the CSS (Canadian Signal School) in Dunstable to be employed as an instructor

 

Dec 16, 1918

Transferred to the 1st CERB (Canadian Engineers Reserve Battalion) in Seaford

 

Dec 19, 1918

Granted 9 days leave

 

Jan 10, 1919

Attached to #3 Wing, Kinmel Park pending return to Canada

 

Feb 1, 1919

Embarked the SS Carmania in Liverpool

 

 

Feb 11, 1919

Disembarked in New York City, New York, USA and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of the Sub Depot and granted leave until February 25, 1919.  He had instructions to report to Military District #3 in Kingston on completion of his leave

 

Feb 25, 1919

Taken On Strength of the MD #3 Casualty Company in Kingston

 

Mar 4, 1919

Medical Board in Kingston notes

Ø  Suffers pain from a Left Varicocele

Ø  Suffers pain in the left side of his chest from VDH (Valvular Disease of the Heart)

Ø  Claims to have suffered from the above since having to do long route marches in France

Ø  Cannot sleep on left side due to the pain

Ø  He has not required hospital care for his pain

 

Mar 7, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Sergeant

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 90507

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C55183

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 316 Queen St, Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 61 Pembroke St., Kingston

 

Jun 28, 1924

Married to Mildred Kathleen Needham at the Highland Inn, Algonquin Park, Ontario

Sep 12, 1924

William and his wife disembarked the SS Doric in Canada after visiting parents in England and proceeded to their home in Algonquin Park, Ontario

 

Jun 17, 1976

William George Blake died in Barrie, Ontario and was buried in the Barrie Union Cemetery

 

 


Return to Tribute list

Home

Contact