Sep 8, 1897

Born in St. Marys, Ontario to Matthew and Jemima (nee White) Hamilton

Nov 10, 1917

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at London, Ontario

Jan 4, 1918

Conscripted into the 1^st Depot Battalion, WOR (Western Ontario Regiment) under the MSA in London, Ontario

Ø  Number 3130463

Ø  Next of kin given as Matthew Hamilton, father, Box 51, St. Marys Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Clerk

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Posted to the 4^th Regimental Draft

Feb 21, 1918

The Regiment’s 4^th Draft embarked the SS Cretic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Mar 5, 1918

Disembarked in England and proceeded to Bramshott where the draft was Taken On Strength of the 4^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Sep 20, 1918

Transferred to the 1^st Battalion

Sep 23, 1918

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 1^st Battalion

Sep 25, 1918

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

Sep 30, 1918

While still at the base depot, and before he could join the 1^st Battalion at the front, he was diverted and transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 4, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Hamilton joined the 21^st Battalion south – west of Bourlon, France and was posted to “B” Company as a member of the Lewis Machine Gun crew

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

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre

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 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 279903

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge St. Marys, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 40 Erie St., Stratford, Ontario

He found employment with the Canadian National Railways as a ticket agent in Stratford

Oct 12, 1929

Married to Blanch Victoria Pratt in Hamilton, Ontario

William Ewart Hamilton died in 1996 and was buried in the Memorial Gardens, Breslau, Ontario