Aug 1, 1894

Born at Leyton England

Sep 23, 1903

Embarked the SS Dominion with a group of Home Children in the care of Dr Bernardo

Oct 2, 1903

Disembarked at Montreal Quebec and proceeded to Toronto Ontario

Oct 14, 1915

Attested into the 70^th Battalion at Leamington Ontario 

Ø      Number 124153

Ø      Next of kin given as Lottie Hefford (sister) of Dungannon Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farming

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist

Ø      Assigned to “B” Company

Dec 28, 1915

Declared to be AWL (Absent Without Leave) at 6.30 am

Jan 3, 1916

Reported for duty from being AWL

Apr 2, 1916

Declared to be AWL

Apr 6, 1916

Reported for duty from being AWL

Apr 24, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland at Halifax Nova Scotia

May 5, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to Shorncliffe

Jul 10, 1916

The 70^th Battalion was absorbed into the 39^th Reserve Battalion

Sep 10, 1916

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Sep 11, 1916

Arrived at CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 1, 1916

Left the CBD for the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion

Oct 4, 1916

Joined the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion at Albert

Oct 6, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Transport Section and the Rear Detail was in the Brickfields at Albert while the main body of the Battalion was in the front line trench.  Pte Hefford would have joined the Rear Detail here, joining the rest of the Battalion that night in Billets at Bouzencourt.  He was posted to the “B” Company Machine Gun Section, later being assigned as a Runner in “B” Company.

Dec 16, 1916

Admitted to No 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with influenza symptoms.  He was treated and discharged the same day to duty 

Oct 14, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Dec 5, 1917

2^nd Division Routine Orders announce that he is to be presented with the Military Medal

Jan 12, 1918

While on parade at Westrehem, he was presented with the Military Medal by Lieut General Sir Arthur Currie, KCB, KCMG

Feb 23, 1918

Announcement of the Military Medal per London Gazette #30540

Citation reads

For conspicuous bravery on the night of the 4th/5th November.  This man was on a ration party to the front line.  After the rations were delivered the party on their way back reported to the dressing station for cover from heavy shell fire.  While there, stretcher bearers were called for to go forward for wounded.  The party were much fatigued and the response was slow until Pte Hefford came into the dressing station and immediately volunteered.  The influence on the others by his prompt action was in a large measure responsible fore quick organization of the necessary party.  He continued to be an example with his good work, making several trips under heavy shell fire, until all the wounded were evacuated.

AFW 3121    15th November 1917.

Mar 20, 1918

Granted 14 days leave to Paris

Mar 31, 1918

Arrived at 2 CIBD from leave

Apr 1, 1918

Arrived at CC Rein C

Apr 6, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion from leave

Jun 16, 1918

Appointed to rank of Lance Corporal

Sep 19, 1918

Admitted to No 9 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a shrapnel wound to his left arm.  He was transferred the same day to No 57 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Sep 20, 1918

Transferred via no 9 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to No 22 General Hospital at Camiers

Oct 2, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

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

Admitted to the Fort Pitt Military Hospital at Chatham

Oct 4, 1918

Transferred to the Strood VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) Hospital

Oct 15, 1918

Transferred to No 11 Canadian General Hospital at Shorncliffe

Nov 16, 1918

Transferred to the Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital at Bexhill

Feb 19, 1919

Discharged from hospital and granted leave until March 1, 1919

Mar 1, 1919

Posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Mar 24, 1919

Reduced in to rank of Private for being in bed after Reveille

Mar 29, 1919

Posted to the Discharge Depot MD #1 Wing at Rhyl pending return to Canada

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the SS Lapland at Liverpool

Apr 10, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia

Apr 13, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at London Ontario 

Ø      Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 259515

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge PO Box 67 Leamington Ontario

Oct 1, 1920

Married to Nellie Malott at Walkerville Ontario 

He listed his occupation at this time as a Broom Maker

Jul 11, 1922

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at Box 35, John St, Leamington Ontario

Oct 27, 1934

Married to Ethel Blanche Lavender at Ingersoll Ontario 

Note:  I could not determine what happened to the marriages to either Nellie or Ethel. 

At some point in time he was also married to Mary Amelia Hetherington.  I could not determine whether it was prior to or after his marriage to Ethel.  However, Mary A Hefford is buried in the Lakeview Cemetery with William Hefford, having died in 1986.  This information was researched at www.ancestry.ca

Jun 8, 1964

Died at the Ontario Hospital at St Thomas Ontario and is buried in the Lakeview Cemetery, Leamington Ontario