Aug 15, 1891

Born in Marmora, Ontario to Charles Bidwell and Martha Salina (nee Conley) McWilliams

Jan 15, 1916

Attested into the 155^th Battalion in Marmora, Ontario

Ø  Number 636367

Ø  Next of kin given as Martha McWilliams, mother, Marmora, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Hostler

Ø  Previous military experience given as 49^th Regiment, Hastings Rifles

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

The battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area

Jun 9, 1916

Admitted to the Queen Street Military Hospital in Kingston with a diagnosis that reads Chancre.  This was later changed to read Gonorrhea

Jun 15, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 17, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott

Dec 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Dec 6, 1916

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

Dec 8, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private McWilliams joined the 21^st Battalion resting in Bully Grenay, France

Jan 18, 1917

Admitted to the No. 3 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Tonsilitis

Jan 21, 1917

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance

Jan 22, 1917

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance

Feb 22, 1917

Admitted to the No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Prepuce Inflammation.  Transferred the same day to the No. 42 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) where the diagnosis was changed to read Balanitis

Feb 27, 1917

Transferred via the No. 24 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 3 General Hospital in Le Treport, France.  He was transferred the same day to the No. 16 General Hospital in Le Treport where the diagnosis was changed to read VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Mar 1, 1917

Transferred to the No. 39 General Hospital in Havre where the diagnosis was changed to read NYD (Not Yet Determined).  This was later changed to read VDS (Venereal Disease Syphilis)

Apr 24, 1917

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Base Depot in the Rouelles Camp and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Pay withheld at the rate of 60¢ per day for the 53 days in hospital as punishment for his infection

May 5, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private McWilliams rejoined the 21^st Battalion resting in Aux Rietz, France

May 17, 1917

Attached to the 4^th Field Company, Canadian Engineers for duty

Jun 1, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion from duty with the engineers

Jul 26, 1917

Attached to the 4^th Canadian Machine Gun Company for duty

Aug 29, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion from duty with the machine gun company

Sep 22, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Oct 3, 1917

Arrived in France on completion of his leave and was admitted to the No. 51 General Hospital in Etaples with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

Nov 22, 1917

Pay withheld at the rate of 60¢ per day for the 50 days in hospital as punishment for his infection

Nov 23, 1917

Discharged from hospital and joined the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Dec 1, 1917

After leaving the base depot, he joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

Dec 14, 1917

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private McWilliams rejoined the 21^st Battalion at the front east of Neuville St. Vaast

Jan 15, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Mar 6, 1918

During a raid carried out by the 21^st Battalion on enemy lines near Lens, France, Private McWilliams received a slight shrapnel wound to his right arm and was evacuated to the No. 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid.

Mar 7, 1918

Discharged to duty from No. 6 CFA, however later in the day was admitted to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance with a diagnosis that reads Scabies

Mar 11, 1918

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance

Apr 1, 1918

While in the front lines near Neuville Vitasse, France, the battalion came under an intense artillery barrage and late in the day, Private McWilliams received a shrapnel wound to his head behind his right ear and overnight was admitted to the No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid

Apr 2, 1918

Transferred to the No. 8 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) and after being assessed, was transferred via the No. 10 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 18 General Hospital in Camiers

Apr 9, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

On arrival in England he was admitted to the 3^rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford

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

May 1, 1918

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

May 20, 1918

Attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for Physical Training

Aug 8, 1918

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

Sep 15, 1918

Admitted to the No. 14 Canadian General Hospital in Eastbourne with a diagnosis that reads Diphtheria

He was noted as being a Diphtheria Carrier

Oct 14, 1918

Transferred to the Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital in the Cooden Camp, Bexhill

Jan 10, 1919

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

Feb 13, 1919

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

Feb 22, 1919

Embarked the SS Belgic in Liverpool

Mar 1, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was posted to the Military District No. 3 Casualty Company

Mar 6, 1919

Granted leave until March 19, 1919

Mar 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 91021

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Marmora, Ontario

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

Dec 10, 1919

Married to Agnes Gertrude Vilneff in Marmora, Ontario

Harry McWilliams found employment post war in the Deloro Smelting and Refining Co

Dec 31, 1944

Harry McWilliams died while a patient of the Nicholls Hospital, Peterborough, Ontario.  He was buried in the Marmora Protestant Cemetery, Marmora, Ontario