May 24, 1887

Born in Cornwall, Ontario to Daniel and Mary (nee Ward) Gillespie

Nov 4, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59367 (temporary number 524)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Joe Rowe, sister, Cornwall, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Engineer

o   Later noted as Stationary Engineer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 59^th Stormont and Glengarry Regiment, Cornwall, Ontario

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to “E” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

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

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

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

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

Sep 25, 1915

While in the front line “C” Trenches near Messines, Belgium, Private Gillespie was buried by the explosion of an artillery shell.  He was unconscious when he was dug out with shrapnel wounds to his neck, arms and hand.  He was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 8 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Sep 28, 1915

Transported to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital in Rouen, France and immediately invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Egypt

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the London General Hospital in Wandsworth.  Surgery was not required, but it was noted that he was now deaf in his left ear

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion for pay purposes while in hospital

Nov 6, 1915

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bromley

Nov 25, 1915

Transferred to the Moore Barracks Hospital in Shorncliffe

Feb 15, 1916

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Feb 17, 1916

Transferred to the CCDD (Canadian Casualty Discharge Depot) in Bath pending return to Canada

Feb 25, 1916

Embarked the SS Metagama in Liverpool

Mar 6, 1916

Disembarked in Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was posted to the Military District #3 Casualty Company

Jul 2, 1916

Medical Board in Kingston, Ontario notes that he has completely recovered and fit for duty

Aug 23, 1916

Transferred to the Special Service Company in Kingston

Oct 7, 1916

Transferred to the 155^th Battalion in Kingston

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Dec 6, 1916

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 21^st Battalion

Dec 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Gillespie rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Bully Grenay, France

Apr 21, 1917

Attached to the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) for duty

Jun 30, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from duty with the YMCA

Aug 1, 1917

Attached to the 2^nd Division Burial Party for duty

Sep 2, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from duty with the burial party

Sep 20, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Sep 28, 1917

Rejoined the battalion early from leave

Sep 30, 1917

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea).  He was transferred the same day to the No. 10 Canadian Field Ambulance

Oct 10, 1917

Transferred to the No. 22 Casualty Clearing Station

Oct 11, 1917

Transferred via the No. 6 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples

Nov 16, 1917

Transferred to the No. 4 Stationary Hospital in Arques, France

Dec 13, 1917

Discharged from hospital for duty with camp details in St. Omer, France and classified TB (Temporary Base) meaning that he was unfit for combat duty

Dec 15, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Dec 19, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool for duty

Jan 5, 1918

Transferred to the 1^st Canadian Labour Battalion

Jan 6, 1918

Joined the 1^st Canadian Labour Battalion in La Targette, France as part of a draft of 49 reinforcements

Mar 18, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Apr 5, 1918

Rejoined the 1^st Canadian Labour Battalion from leave

Jun 15, 1918

Admitted to the 1 / 2 Lowland British Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), that is a fever without a known cause

Jun 16, 1918

Transferred to the No. 42 Casualty Clearing Station

Jun 19, 1918

Transferred via the No. 15 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 20 General Hospital in Camiers, France where the diagnosis was changed to read Lymphangitis and Trench Fever

Jun 26, 1918

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot in Etaples

Jun 28, 1918

Transferred to the No. 15 Convalescent Depot Trouville

Jul, 12, 1918

After being discharged from the convalescent depot, Private Gillespie reported to the Canadian Infantry Base Depot in Etaples

Jul 31, 1918

After leaving the base depot, Private Gillespie joined the 1^st Canadian Infantry Works Company

Sep 13, 1918

The 1^st Canadian Labour Battalion was disbanded and Private Gillespie was transferred to the 3^rd Canadian Infantry Works Company at Cherisy, France

Sep 28, 1918

Forfeited total of 13 days pay for being absent from camp for 3 days

Dec 16, 1918

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment No. 1 for failing to comply with an order from a superior

Jan 11, 1919

Transferred to the General Depot and attached to the 12^th Reserve Battalion in Witley, England

Feb 18, 1919

Transferred to the Military District 4 & 5 Wing at Kinmel Park pending return to Canada

Mar 13, 1919

Embarked the SS Cretic in Liverpool

Mar 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Montreal, Quebec

Mar 26, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Montreal, Quebec

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 92359

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge General Delivery, Cornwall, Ontario

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at First St., Cornwall, Ontario

Jan 19, 1920

Married to Mary Ann Fyke in Mara Township, Ontario

Following the war, William Gillespie was employed as a Lockman for Lock 19 on the Cornwall Canal

Apr 23, 1936

William Gillespie died of a broken neck while a patient of the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Cornwall, Ontario.  This was the result of a car crash that had occurred 2 days earlier.  He was buried in the St Columbian’s Church Cemetery, Cornwall, Ontario

 Ottawa Citizen, April 23, 1936