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Oct 16, 1898
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Born in Toronto, Ontario to George Willis and
Mary (nee McGuffan) King
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Jul 26, 1915
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Attested into the 77th Battalion in
Smiths Falls, Ontario
Ø Number 144429
Ø Next of kin given as Mary King, mother, 547 Dufferin St., Toronto,
Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Machinist
Ø Previous military experience given as 3 months in the Mississauga
Horse, Canadian Militia, in Toronto
Ø Religion given as Church of England
On Attestation he lied about his age, stating
that he was born October 18, 1895
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Oct 23, 1915
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Embarked the SS California in Quebec City, Quebec,
as part of the 77th Battalion’s 1st Reinforcing Draft
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Oct 31, 1915
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Disembarked in Plymouth, England
After his arrival in England he was transferred to
the 12th Reserve Battalion in the Tidworth Barracks on the Salisbury Plain for
additional training.
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Mar 15, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Mar 16, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 1,288 reinforcements from England and
TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st battalion.
After short stay here, he joined the 21st
Battalion at the front.
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Sep 15, 1917
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During the Somme Offensive, the 21st
Battalion was given the task of attacking a German strong point in a sugar refinery on the
Albert – Bapaume Road, just south of Poziéres, France. During the heavy fighting there, Private King was
first reported to be missing, but he was later, confirmed to have been killed in action, a
month before his 19th birthday. He
was subsequently buried in the recently created Sunken Road Cemetery.
Following the war the British War Medal and
Victory Medals were sent to his family, along with the Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny),
Scroll.
A Memorial Cross was also sent to his mother,
Mrs. George King, at 494 Dundas St., Toronto.
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