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Jul 9, 1892
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Born in Grenville County,
Ontario
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Mar 27, 1916
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Attested into the 156th
Battalion CEF in Prescott, Ontario
Ø Number 640000
Ø Next of kin given
as Mrs. Margaret M Robinson, mother, Prescott, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation
given as Carpenter
Ø Previous military
experience given as 2 months on the St. Lawrence Canal Guard
Ø Religion given as
Presbyterian
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Aug 15, 1916
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Appointed to the Provisional
Rank of Corporal
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Oct 19, 1916
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Embarked the SS Northland in
Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Oct 28, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool,
England and the battalion proceeded to Witley to continue training
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Nov 1, 1916
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Transferred to the 109th
Battalion in Witley
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Dec 8, 1916
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Transferred to the 124th
Battalion in Witley
The last 2 transfers were part
of the organization process for the formation of a 5th Canadian
Division
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Jan 5, 1917
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When it was decided to break
up the 5th Division, the 156th Battalion was brought
back to life and William Robinson rejoined the battalion in Witley
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Jan 9, 1917
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Appointed to the rank of
Acting Corporal
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Nov 22, 1917
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Attached to the Crown Chancery
in London for duty as a Clerk
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Dec 22, 1917
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Ceased to be attached and
rejoined the battalion in Witley
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Feb 23, 1918
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Reported to be AWL (Absent
Without Leave) at 10.00 pm
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Feb 24, 1918
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Arrested by the CMP (Canadian
Military Police)
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Feb 26, 1918
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Reduced to the rank of Private
for:
Ø AWL
Ø Presenting a
comrade’s pass when questioned by the Military Police
Ø Making a false statement
to the Military Police
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Feb 28, 1918
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
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Mar 1, 1918
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Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian
Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 313
reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion
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Mar 4, 1918
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Admitted to the No. 20
Canadian General Hospital in Dannes Camiers with a diagnosis that reads
Scabies
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Mar 13, 1918
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Discharged to duty at the base
depot from hospital
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Mar 18, 1918
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Admitted to the No. 51 Canadian
General Hospital in Etaples with a diagnosis that reads VDG (Venereal Disease
Gonorrhea)
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May 15, 1918
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Discharged to duty at the base
depot from hospital
Forfeited 50 cents per day for
the 59 days in hospital as punishment for becoming infected with Gonorrhea
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May 22, 1918
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After leaving the base depot,
Private Robinson joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in
Aubin St. Vaast
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May 30, 1918
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After leaving the
reinforcement camp, Private Robinson joined the 21st Battalion
rear details in billets in Bailleulval, south west of Arras, France and was
assigned to “A” Company
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May 31, 1918
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He proceeded to join the
battalion in the front lines, near Neuville Vitasse
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Aug 8, 1918
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During the advance on the town
of Marcelcave, France, the 21st Battalion met with severe
opposition from the occupying German army.
Losses were heavy from enemy machine gun fire and artillery
shells. Included in the casualties was
the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel EW Jones DSO. Also killed in action was Private William
Neil Robinson. He was initially buried
in the Midway Corner Cemetery near Marcelcave. The map coordinates given for this cemetery
indicate the location below. This is
now a farmer’s field on highway D136 at the corner of an unnamed lane, west
of the town of Marcelcave. Thank you
Philippe Gruit for making the calculations for the location.
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When the war ended, the
cemetery was emptied and his body was exhumed and reburied in the Villers
Bretonneux Military Cemetery
Following the war, the British
War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial
Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Margaret Robinson, Box 415 Prescott,
Ontario
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