Jul 9, 1897

Born at 78 Harbord St., Toronto, Ontario to William Alexander and Augusta “Gussie” Gertrude (nee Pound) Halliday

May 26, 1914

Re-enlisted in the 14^th PWOR in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 1855

Ø  Assigned to “H” Company

Ø  Member of the Bugle Band

 
He had been shown previously in “B” and “E” Companies

Nov 11, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59412 (temporary number 75)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. William Halliday, Portsmouth, Ontario (now part of Kingston)

Ø  Previous occupation given as Printer

o   A newspaper report indicates he had been employed at the Daily British Whig newspaper

Ø  Previous military experience given as 3 years in the 14^th Regiment, PWOR (Princess of Wales’ Own Rifles) as a Bugler

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø  Assigned to “A” Company

Ø  Employed in the Bugle Band

o   Later noted as a Drummer in the Pipe Band

 
The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

 
Jack Halliday lied about his age as he was not yet 18 years of age.  He stated that he had been born on July 9, 1896

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

Jan 20, 1916

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment #1 for Neglect of Duty and using obscene language to an NCO

Sep 16, 1916

During the battalion’s advance on the Somme, Private Halliday was buried under debris from the explosion of a nearby by artillery high explosive shell.  After being dug out by his comrades, he was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid suffering from Shell Shock.  He was transferred the same day to the Divisional Rest Station to recover

Sep 19, 1916

Transferred to the British 1/3 Northern Field Ambulance, then on to the No. 8 CFA

Sep 23, 1916

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance

Oct 3, 1916

While moving into a trench near Courcelette, Private Halliday slipped and twisted his ankle.  He was treated first by the battalion’s Medical Officer before being evacuated to the No. 4 CFA.  He was transferred to the Divisional Rest Station to rest his ankle

Oct 8, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Corps Rest Station

Oct 9, 1916

Transferred to the No. 12 CFA

Oct 11, 1916

Transferred to the No. 8 CFA

Oct 13, 1916

Transferred to the casualty clearing station

Oct 14, 1916

Transferred to the No. 2 Canadian General Hospital at Havre and the diagnosis changed to read Sprained Ankle

Oct 14, 1916

Transferred to the No. 2 General Hospital

Oct 17, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 Convalescent Depot to continue his recovery

Oct 17, 1916

Transferred to the No. 7 Convalescent Depot to continue his recovery

Oct 24, 1916

Discharged to the base details at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Nov 6, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion following his recovery

Dec 27, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

Jan 9, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Jun 5, 1917

Admitted to the No. 4 CFA with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin), more commonly called Trench Fever

Jun 12, 1917

Discharged to duty

Dec 4, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

Dec 20, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

May 18, 1918

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA with a diagnosis that reads Gastric Ulcer

May 24, 1918

Transferred to the No. 19 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

May 28, 1918

Transferred via the No. 36 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 10 Canadian General Hospital

Jun 5, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Western Australia

 
On arrival in England he was admitted to the Bermondsey Military Hospital, Ladywell Rd., London and the diagnosis is changed to read Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Sclerosis

 
Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Jul 9, 1918

Transferred to the No. 16 Canadian General Hospital in Orpington, Kent and Peritonitis is added to the diagnosis

Jul 30, 1918

Forfeited 1 days pay for absence

Aug 6, 1918

Forfeited 1 days pay for absence

Oct 11, 1918

Forfeited 5 days pay for absence

Nov 25, 1918

Forfeited 2 days pay for absence

Dec 4, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Special Hospital in Lenham, Kent

Dec 9, 1918

Declared to be absent

Dec 28, 1918

Reported into the hospital and was fined 19 days pay for his absence

Feb 2, 1919

Embarked the Hospital Ship Araguaya and invalided to Canada

Feb 13, 1919

Disembarked in Portland, Maine, USA and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

Feb 15, 1919

Admitted to Queen’s University Hospital in Kingston

Feb 27, 1919

Discharged from hospital and posted to the MD #3 Casualty Company in Kingston

Mar 1, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 9044??

o   The last 2 numbers are not readable in the file

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C55149

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Portsmouth, Ontario

 
Following his discharge the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 113 York St., Kingston

If you know the location of his missing Class "A" War Service Badge, please contact the webmaster to enquire about reuniting it with the rest of his medals

Aug 13, 1919

Married to Winnifred Amelia Young in Kingston, Ontario.  He stated his occupation as Electrician

Nov 11, 1931

William Halliday served as the Bugler for the unveiling of the 21^st Battalion Memorial in City Park, Kingston, playing the Last Post and Reveille

Jun 1, 1961

William John “Jack” Halliday died in Kingston.