Aug 28, 1888

Born in Invernesshire, Scotland to Donald and Annie (nee Anderson) Smart

Oct 19, 1914

Shown on the payroll of the 42^nd Lanark and Renfrew Regiment, Canadian Militia with its headquarters in Pembroke, Ontario 

Prior to enlistment, his employer was the flour mill, Pembroke Milling Company, Pembroke, Ontario, earning $23 per week, this according to a form filed for pension purposes prior to discharge.  I suspect it should read $23 per month.

Nov 4, 1914

Proceeded to Kingston, Ontario and removed from the 42^nd Regiment’s payroll on November 10^th

Nov 6, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Number 59890 (temporary number 379)

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs D. Smart, mother, of Ballinluig, Perthshire, Scotland

Ø      Previous occupation given as Millright

Ø      Previous military service given as service with the Gordon Highlanders

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company

o       This was later reorganized into “B” Company

Feb 1, 1915

His rank on the Battalion’s payroll is shown as Corporal

Feb 24, 1915

Admitted to the Kingston Hospital diagnosed with influenza

Feb 28, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St Seiriol at Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked at Boulogne France and proceeded to St Omer

Dec 2, 1915

While in the N and O front line trench, near Dickebusch, he was buried by the explosion of a German artillery shell and was unconscious for 36 hours.  He would have first been treated by the Battalion’s Medical Officer, then the following morning was transferred.

Dec 3, 1915

Admitted to No 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) and then transferred to No 2 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) diagnosed with Mitral Endocarditiis, also shown as VDH (Valvular Disease Heart).  This is an infection inside the heart, in addition to shrapnel wounds to back and legs.  He is also noted as suffering from shell shock.

Dec 4, 1915

Transferred via No 6 AT (Ambulance Train)

Dec 5, 1915

Admitted to the No 8 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux

Dec 6, 1915

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton sailing from Boulogne

Dec 7, 1915

Disembarked at Dover, England and admitted to the Military Hospital at Shorncliffe 

Posted to the 39^th Reserve Battalion while in hospital 

His rank is now shown as Private

Dec 18, 1915

Transferred to the Fairfield Hospital at Broadstairs, Kent

Jan 11, 1916

Transferred to the Military Hospital at Shorncliffe

Jan 12, 1916

Discharged to Reserve unit for light duties

Feb 15, 1916

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) while on light duties

Feb 17, 1916

Attached to the Convalescent Hospital at Bath pending return to Canada

Feb 25, 1916

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Liverpool

Mar 6, 1916

Disembarked at Saint John, New Brunswick and proceeded to the Discharge Depot at Quebec City, Quebec

Mar 9, 1916

Medical Board at Quebec City recommends 3 months in a convalescent home, then he should be discharged as being unfit for further service

Mar 12, 1916

Arrived at Kingston, Ontario and admitted to the Elmhurst Convalescent Home

It would appear from the article above that he was permitted leave from the hospital, but not recorded in his file

Aug 12, 1916

Discharged from the CEF at Kingston Ontario as Medically Unfit 

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      A War Service Badge Class “A” would have been issued but the number is not recorded in the file

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Pembroke, Ontario 

Some time after his discharge the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 461c Metcalfe St., Ottawa, Ontario.  The later 2 medals are shown below, with his original General Service hat badge.

The medals are shown here with permission of the owner
If you know the location of the missing 1914-15 Star, please Contact the webmaster

Following the war he could not return to the Millright job and landed work as a civil servant at Canada Customs involved in the inspection of goods entering Canada 

In 1918 he married Verna, and they settled in Ottawa.  After his retirement, they lived on Roslyn Avenue, Ottawa.

Mar 8, 1967

After attending a curling match in Hull, Quebec, William Charles Smart died of a heart attack while in his car in the parking lot of the arena.