Feb 15, 1896

Born in Port Robinson, Ontario to Robert Levi and Hannah Letitia (nee Rock) Willson

His surname is spelled Wilson and Willson on several occasions.  In addition, his middle name is spelled McCleary on numerous occasions.

Dec 26, 1917

Medical exam for the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 held at St. Catherines, Ontario

Feb 18, 1918

Conscripted into the 1^st Depot Battalion, 2^nd COR (Central Ontario Regiment) under the MSA in Hamilton, Ontario

Ø  Number 3107650

Ø  Next of kin given as Levi Willson, father, Box 117, Port Robinson, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Construction Work

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to the 25^th Regimental Draft

May 15, 1918

The 25^th Regimental Draft embarked the SS Ajana in Halifax, Nova Scotia

May 27, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Witley and was Taken On Strength of the 3^rd Reserve Battalion in Witley to continue training

Sep 14, 1918

Transferred to the 19^th Battalion

Sep 15, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and Taken On Strength of the 19^th Battalion

Sep 16, 1918

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

Sep 21, 1918

While still at the reinforcement camp he was transferred to the 21^st Battalion without having joined the 19^th Battalion at the front

Sep 22, 1918

After leaving the reinforcement camp, Private Willson joined the 21^st Battalion in the support line near Buissy, France and was posted to “B” Company

Dec 13, 1918

The 21^st Battalion led the 2^nd Canadian Division across the Bonn Bridge to enter Germany as part of the Occupying Force and proceeded to Sieburg

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

On arrival in England, he was attached to “P” Wing in Witley pending return to Canada

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario by train

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 277554

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Port Robinson, Ontario

Following his discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Port Robinson, Ontario

Aug 10, 1922

While working on the Queenston – Chippawa Power Development Project as a Fireman on a Construction Boom, Victory McClary Willson was severely scalded while working on a suction dredge near Montrose. While in the process of firing one of the water tubes, the steam tube blew out covering him in boiling water from head to foot. He was taken to the Niagara Falls Hospital where he died.  He was 1 of 90 employees and contractors to be killed during the building of the power project.

He was buried in the Saint Paul’s Cemetery, Port Robinson, Ontario