Feb 27, 1899

Born in London, England to John and Elizabeth (nee Taylor) Southwell

Feb 25, 1909

Embarked the SS Dominion in Liverpool under the care of the Dr. Barnardo’s Boys Home

Mar 7, 1909

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Peterborough, Ontario

He was eventually placed with the David Kennedy family on a farm near Peterborough, Ontario

Jan 15, 1917

Attested into the 252^nd Battalion CEF in Lindsay, Ontario

Ø  Number 1087096

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Edna Dearman, mother, 3 Spa Cottages, Lloyds Row, Clerkenwell, London, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

The battalion trained in the Lindsay, Ontario area

May 29, 1917

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jun 9, 1917

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

Jul 17, 1917

Admitted to the Canadian Military Hospital in Eastbourne with a diagnosis that reads Diphtheria

Sep 13, 1917

Discharged from hospital and transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) and attached to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Seaford for physical training and exercise

Jan 31, 1918

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

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 joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast, France

Jul 26, 1918

After leaving the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp, Private Southwell joined the 21^st Battalion in Manin, France and was posted to “D” Company

Aug 8, 1918

During the capture of Marcelcave, France, Private Southwell received shrapnel wounds to his chest that fractured the clavicle.  He was first reported to be Missing in Action, but later it was discovered he had been admitted to the No. 1 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid.  Surgery was performed here to remove the shrapnel ball

Aug 13, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Aug 17, 1918

Transferred via the No. 17 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne, France

Aug 27, 1918

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Connick

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Countess of Lytton’s Hospital in Beakeley Sq., London, an affiliated hospital of the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital in Millbank

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

Sep 20, 1918

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom

Dec 13, 1918

Granted 10 days sick leave

Dec 30, 1918

Transferred to the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Kirkdale, Liverpool

Jan 13, 1919

Embarked the Hospital Ship Essequibo in Liverpool

Jan 25, 1919

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

Jan 28, 1919

Admitted to the Queen’s Military Hospital in Kingston

Jan 29, 1919

Granted leave until February 12, 1919

Feb 27, 1919

Discharged to duty from the hospital

Mar 4, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 90481

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C55172

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge PO Box 193, Kingston, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 122 Booth Ave., Toronto, Ontario

He later worked at the International Nickle Company in Port Colborne, Ontario and during WWII he served in the Veterans Guard of Canada in the Toronto area for a short period

Feb 14, 1942

Willilam John Southwell died of Leukemia while a patient of the Christie Street Military Hospital in Toronto, Ontario and was buried in the St. John’s Norway Cemetery in Toronto