Mar 17, 1896

Born in Havelock, Ontario

Jun 7, 1915

Married to Bertha Ella Lindsay in Minden, Ontario

His name was given as William John Parcels and his parents as Richard and Sarah (nee Robertson) Parcels

Dec 21, 1915

Attested into the 109^th Battalion CEF in Haliburton, Ontario with the name William James Parcels

Ø  Number 726036

Ø  Next of kin given as Bertha Parcels, wife, Haliburton, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Lumberman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Posted to “D” Company

He signed the attestation papers with an “X” and noted as “his mark”

In the spring of 1916, the 109^th Battalion moved to Camp Borden near Barrie, Ontario for advanced training

In early July 1916, the battalion moved to the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

Jul 20, 1916

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave)

Jul 23, 1916

The 109^th Battalion sailed for England and Private Parcels was still absent

Jul 28, 1916

Struck Off Strength as a Deserter effective July 20, 1916

Sep 26, 1917

Married Grace Anne Molloy in Marmora, Ontario

He gave his name as William James Parcels and his parents as Walter and Sarah (nee Robertson) Parcels

I could find no dissolution of his previous marriage

It appears that he changed his name to William James Marshall and started a new life shortly after this to avoid both his first wife and the Military Police

Jan 29, 1918

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

Conscripted into the 1^st Depot Battalion, EOR (Eastern Ontario Regiment) under the MSA in Kingston under the name of William James Marshall

Ø  Number 4021500

Ø  Next of kin given as Grace Marshall, wife, Coe Hill, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

o   Later noted as Lumberman

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Posted to the 3^rd Regimental Draft

He signed the conscription papers with an “X” and noted as “his mark” and gave his birth date as March 17, 1897, not his actual birth year of 1896

Feb 21, 1918

The 3^rd Regimental Draft embarked the SS Melita in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Mar 4, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Seaford where the draft was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

Jun 10, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 11, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Jun 17, 1918

After leaving the base depot, he arrived at the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Jul 26, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Marshall joined the 21^st Battalion resting in billets in Manin, France

Aug 1, 1918

It is interesting to note that he changed his pay assignment and separation allowance to his first wife, Mrs. R.E. Parcels in Donald, Ontario

Oct 11, 1918

During the capture of Iwuy, France, Private Marshall received a wound to his right leg and was evacuated to the No. 9 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 1 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Oct 13, 1918

Transferred to the No. 4 General Hospital in Camiers, France

Oct 17, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Ville de Liege

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Cambridge War Hospital in Aldershot

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

Nov 2, 1918

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bearwood Park, Wokingham

Dec 6, 1918

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Granted 10 days sick leave

Jan 6, 1919

Admitted to the Canadian Special Hospital in Witley with diagnosis that reads 42 (VDS Venereal Disease Syphilis)

Feb 12. 1919

Discharged to duty from hospital

May 6, 1919

Transferred to Military District Wing No. 3 in Kinmel Park, Rhyl pending return to Canada

May 11, 1919

Embarked the SS Saturnia in Glasgow, Scotland

May 21, 1919

Disembarked in Montreal, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength Military District No. 3 Depot

May 22, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 279653

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Coe Hill, Ontario]

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Ormsby, Ontario

During WW2, William James Marshall served with the Veterans Guard of Canada

Mar 13, 1971

William James Marshall died and was buried in the Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery, Bancroft, Ontario