Aug 5, 1892

Born in Toronto, Ontario to Walter and Katherine (nee Barter) Nicholson

Nov 22, 1916

Attested into the 253^rd Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 1090014

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Katherine Nicholson, 88 Barrack St., Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Machinist

o   Later noted as Fireman in the Kingston Fire Department

Ø  Previous military experience given as 1 year 14^th Regiment, PWOR and 3 months in 14^th PWOR Guard

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

His brother, Walter Benjamin Nicholson, also attested into the 253^rd Battalion the same day, number 1090013

Mar 22, 1917

Married to Helen Mary Brumdridge in Kingston, Ontario

Apr 29, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

May 7, 1917

Disembarked in Liverpool and proceeded to the segregation camp at Dibgate and Taken On Strength of the 5^th Canadian Reserve Battalion

Jun 22, 1917

Admitted to the Etchinghill Hospital in Lyminge with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea).  The diagnosis was also described as Gleet

Aug 11, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 14, 1917

Transferred to the 164^th Battalion in Witley

Jan 30, 1918

Admitted to the Canadian Special Hospital in Witley for additional treatment of his Gonorrhea infection

Mar 8, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital

Mar 9, 1918

Attached to the 125^th Battalion in Witley

Mar 29, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Mar 30, 1918

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 21^st Battalion

Apr 3, 1918

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

Apr 12, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Nicholson joined the 21^st Battalion in the front line near Mercatel, France

Aug 26, 1918

While in the front line Elgin Trench east of Wancourt, France near the Cojeul River, Private Nicholson received shrapnel wounds to his neck and chest.  He was evacuated to the No. 8 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the 42 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Aug 27, 1918

Transferred via the No. 9 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 7 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, France

Sep 5, 1918

Transferred to the No. 46 Stationary Hospital in Etaples and Diphtheria was added to his diagnosis

Oct 11, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Fort Pitt Military Hospital in Chatham where surgery was performed to remove shrapnel from behind left ear.

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

Oct 13, 1918

Transferred to the Preston Hall Military Hospital in Aylesford

Nov 9, 1918

Transferred to the No. 11 Canadian General Hospital in Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe

Nov 16, 1918

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

Nov 26, 1818

Granted 12 days sick leave with instructions to report to Kinmel Park, Rhyl on completion of leave

Dec 3, 1918

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

Jan 11, 1919

Embarked the SS Olympic in Southampton

Jan 17, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario where he was Taken On Strength of Military District No. 3

Jan 21, 1919

Granted leave until February 3, 1919

Feb 5, 1919

Medical exam in Kingston notes he has recovered from his wounds, but has an enlarged heart and a heart murmur.  He states he suffers from shortness of breath on exertion.  Board recommends he be discharged from service with a disability due to his service

Feb 12, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 53 Barrack St., Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 53 Barrack St., Kingston, Ontario

Jul 13, 1962

William John Nicholson died while a patient of the Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, Ontario and was buried in the Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Toronto