Apr 30, 1896

Born in London, England to Thomas and Mary Elizabeth (nee Mercer) Williams

Nov 15, 1906

Embarked the SS Parisian in Liverpool with his mother

Nov 25, 1906

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Peterborough, Ontario to join his father

Jun 22, 1914

Shown on the payroll of the 57^th Regiment, Peterborough Rangers as a member of “H” Company with the rank of Private

Nov 4, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 60070 (temporary number 590)

Ø  Next of kin given as Elizabeth Williams, mother, 466 Bonaccord Street, Peterborough, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Chauffeur

o   Later noted as Motor Mechanic and Advertising Agent

Ø  Previous military experience given as 57^th Regiment for 4 years

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “E” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Feb 6, 1915

Appointed to the provisional rank of Lance Corporal with pay

Apr 4, 1915

Reprimanded for leaving barracks without permission

Apr 22, 1915

Reprimanded for improper care of rifle

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Jul 1, 1915

Confirmed in rank of Lance Corporal

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Apr 2, 1916

During heavy fighting at the St. Eloi Craters in Belgium, Lance Corporal Williams succumbed to Shell Shock after being knocked unconscious by a shell explosion.  He was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid before being transported to the No. 8 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station). 

Apr 3, 1916

Transferred via the No. 5 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, France

Apr 12, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne

Apr 22, 1916

Discharged to the Base Details in Boulogne

Apr 28, 1916

Transferred to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in Havre, France

Admitted to the No. 6 Stationary Hospital in Havre, with a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet Determined).  Later noted as Shell Shock

May 10, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Lanfranc

On arrival in England, he was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Netley

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

May 26, 1916

Transferred to the Bearwood Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Wokingham and DAH (Disordered Activity of the Heart) was added to the diagnosis

On admission he complained of pain around the heart and shortness of breath

Jun 8, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Folkestone

Jun 11, 1916

Attached to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Sep 4, 1916

Reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre in Folkestone then attached to the Monks Horton Hospital for light duty

Jan 9, 1917

Transferred to the 1^st CCTB (Canadian Corps Training Battalion) in Hastings

Feb 18, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre and attached to the 2^nd CCD (Canadian Command Depot)

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the WORD (Western Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes and remained attached to the 2^nd Canadian Command Depot

Apr 23, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot)

Apr 30, 1917

Attached to the PT & BF (Physical Training and Bayonet Fighting) School in Shorncliffe

May 14, 1917

Transferred to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes and remained attached to the 2^nd Canadian Command Depot

May 26, 1917

Attached to the 2^nd Canadian Command Depot

Jun 4, 1917

Attached to the 3^rd Canadian Command Depot  and admitted to the Canadian Military Hospital in Hastings with a diagnosis that reads Neurasthenia

Jul 13, 1917

Discharged from hospital and rejoined the 3^rd Canadian Command Depot

Aug 18, 1917

Transferred to the 3^rd Canadian Command Depot as a BF & PT (Bayonet Fighting and Physical Training) instructor

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant with pay while employed as an instructor

Sep 14, 1917

Transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion

Reverted to the rank of Lance Corporal

Nov 7, 1917

Granted permission to marry

His next of kin was later changed to Mrs. Annette Myrtle Williams, wife, St. Martins Cottage, Seaford

Mar 20, 1918

Transferred to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot and remained attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Apr 18, 1918

Attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

May 14, 1918

Embarked the SS Mauritania in Liverpool with his wife

May 20, 1918

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

May 24, 1918

Granted leave until June 6, 1918

Jun 20, 1918

Admitted to the Nicholl’s Hospital in Peterborough, Ontario with a diagnosis that reads Tachycardia

Jul 16, 1918

Transferred to the Queen’s University Military Hospital in Kingston

Oct 2, 1918

Medical exam in Kingston notes

Ø  Man suffers from Hyperthyroidism

Ø  Has an Exophthalmic Goitre

Ø  Complains of headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, tachycardia on exertion, nervousness, and loss of weight

Ø  Suffers from convulsions and is very weak

Ø  Tremors in fingers

Ø  Recommendation made that he be discharged with a pensionable disability

Oct 10, 1918

Discharged to duty from hospital

Oct 22, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 52061

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued number C37116

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 502 Bonaccord Street, Peterborough, Ontario

Following the end of the war, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 502 Bonaccord Street, Peterborough, Ontario

Jul 21, 1951

Leonard Williams died of a perforated gastric ulcer while a patient of the Sunnybrook Veterans Hospital in Toronto, Ontario.  He was buried in the Prospect Cemetery in Toronto

Leonard Thomas Williams is remembered on the Wall of Honour in
Peterborough, Ontario