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May 16, 1895
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Born in London, England to
John Philip and Annie (nee Hawes) Drake
He came to Canada in 1912
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Apr 8, 1914
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Volunteered in the Princess of
Wales’ Own Rifles in Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 1724
Ø Posted to the
Signals Section
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Nov 11, 1914
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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.
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Feb 19, 1915
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Appointed to the provisional
rank of Lance Corporal
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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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Jul 1, 1915
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Confirmed in the rank of Lance
Corporal and to draw pay effective May 15, 1915
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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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May 8, 1916
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Granted 9 days leave
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May 17, 1916
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Rejoined the battalion resting
in the “B” Camp near La Clytte, Belgium
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Jun 20, 1916
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Promoted to the rank of
Corporal to replace Cpl Milby who had been promoted
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Nov 24, 1916
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Promoted to the rank of
Sergeant to replace Sgt Milby who had proceeded to England
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Sep 17, 1917
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Granted 10 days leave
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Sep 29, 1917
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Rejoined the battalion in billets
in Villers au Bois, France
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Nov 1, 1917
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Proceeded to England and
transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) to be employed as
an instructor
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Nov 5, 1917
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Transferred to the 6th
Reserve Battalion in Seaford
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Nov 16, 1917
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Transferred to the CETD
(Canadian Engineers Training Depot) in Seaford
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Dec 1, 1917
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Attached to the CSS (Canadian
Signal School) in Dunstable to be employed as an instructor
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Dec 16, 1918
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Transferred to the 1st
CERB (Canadian Engineers Reserve Battalion) in Seaford
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Dec 19, 1918
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Granted 9 days leave
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Jan 10, 1919
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Attached to #3 Wing, Kinmel
Park pending return to Canada
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Feb 1, 1919
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Embarked the SS Carmania in
Liverpool
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Feb 11, 1919
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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
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Feb 25, 1919
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Taken On Strength of the MD #3
Casualty Company in Kingston
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Mar 4, 1919
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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
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Mar 7, 1919
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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
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Jun 28, 1924
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Married to Mildred Kathleen
Needham at the Highland Inn, Algonquin Park, Ontario
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Sep 12, 1924
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William and his wife disembarked
the SS Doric in Canada after visiting parents in England and proceeded to
their home in Algonquin Park, Ontario
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Jun 17, 1976
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William George Blake died in
Barrie, Ontario and was buried in the Barrie Union Cemetery
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