Feb 9, 1883

Born in Amherst, Nova Scotia

Nov 1, 1917

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at Victoria, British Columbia

Jan 3, 1918

Conscripted into the 2^nd Depot Battalion, BCR (British Columbia Regiment) under the MSA in Victoria, British Columbia

Ø  Number 2137887

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Elizabeth Gillespie, mother, 577 Bay St., Victoria, British Columbia

Ø  Previous occupation given as Able Seaman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Posted to the 6^th Regimental Draft

The battalion carried out training in the Willows Camp, Oak Bay, Victoria, British Columbia

Mar 31, 1918

The 6^th Regimental Draft left Victoria, British Columbia for Nova Scotia

Apr 9, 1918

Embarked the SS Tunisian in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Apr 20, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool and proceeded to Seaford where the draft was Taken On Strength of the 1^st Reserve Battalion

Prior to joining the reserve battalion however, the draft was placed in isolation to ensure that none of the members were suffering from influenza or other communicable diseases

May 2, 1918

Discharged from the segregation camp and joined the 1^st Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Aug 20, 1918

Transferred to the 7^th Battalion

Aug 21, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 7^th Battalion

Aug 27, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he joined the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Sep 23, 1918

While still at the reinforcement camp, and before he could join the 7^th Battalion at the front, he was transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 2, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Gillespie joined the 21^st Battalion in reserve near Bourlon, France and was posted to “D” Company

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Canadian Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Sieburg

Mar 9, 1919

Proceeded to Namur, Belgium on guard duty

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

On arrival in England, he was attached to “P” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario by train

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 277479

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 1121 Hillside Ave., Victoria, British Columbia

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 1121 Hillside Ave., Victoria, British Columbia

Nov 19, 1953

William Gillespie died in Prince Rupert, British Columbia and was buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Prince Rupert