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Feb 18, 1889
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Born in Northfield, Ontario
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Apr 26, 1916
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Attested into the 154th Battalion in
Cornwall, Ontario
Ø Number 634085
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs. William Hartell, wife, Northfield, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Farmer
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Church of England
It would seem that William Hartell could not
read or write as his documents are signed with an X and indicated as “his mark”
The battalion trained in the Barriefield Camp,
Kingston, Ontario
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Oct 25, 1916
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Embarked the SS Mauretania in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Oct 31, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the
battalion proceeded to Bramshott to continue training
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Jan 28, 1917
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Transferred to the 156th Battalion in
Witley to continue training
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Mar 13, 1917
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Transferred to the 161st Battalion in
Witley. This order was cancelled shortly
after
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Mar 28, 1917
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Transferred to the 6th Reserve
Battalion in Seaford
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Apr 21, 1917
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Apr 22, 1917
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion
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May 21, 1917
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After leaving the CBD, Private Hartell joined
the 21st Battalion in billets in Aux Rietz as part of a draft of 149
reinforcements to replace losses at Vimy Ridge
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Dec 1, 1917
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Attached to the 182nd Company, Royal
Engineers for duty
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Dec 21, 1917
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Rejoined the battalion from the engineers
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Jan 15, 1918
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Granted 14 days leave
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Jan 31, 1918
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Rejoined the
battalion from leave
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Apr 26, 1918
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Awarded the Good Conduct Badge
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Aug 26, 1918
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During an attack by the battalion on the German
held Tilloy and Hun trenches, Private Hartell was reported as missing after action.
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Aug 30, 1918
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He rejoined the battalion in the front lines. It seems that he became separated from his
comrades and got lost in No Man’s Land.
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Oct 11, 1918
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During the battalion’s advance at
Avesnes-le-Sec, Private Hartell once again was reported missing after action. It was later confirmed that he had been killed on
this date and was buried in the Niagara British Cemetery, Iwuy, France.
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory
Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow,
Mrs. William Hartell, Northfield, Ontario
A second Memorial Cross was sent to his mother,
Mrs. J. Meeds, Aultsville, Ontario. The town
of Altsville no longer exists as it was flooded when the St. Lawrence Seaway was created
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