STEWART, CORP. WILLIAM Reg. #23058
William Francis Stewart’s was born Jan. 2, 1895 in Magnetawan, the son of Francis ‘Frank’ and Elizabeth Ellen Robinson.
At the time of the 1901 and 1911 censuses, the family was identified as living in Chapman Township – with the address being specifically given as Lot 95, Concession B in 1911. In the 1911 census, William was identified as employed doing odd jobs.
In his Attestation papers, signed November 26, 1914, William ‘Willie’ Stewart identified his birth date as December 25, 1895.
He further identified that he was a lumber jack.
He confirmed that he was born in Magnetawan and that his father was Frank Stewart.
After the war, William is identified as having travelled to the United States, crossing the border on January 12, 1924 at Detroit.
However, on June 2, 1924, William married Rena Janet Kraemer in Perth, Ontario. In 1930, William and Rena were identified as living in Detroit. Where William was identified as working in an auto factory. William and Rena divorced in 1931.
William died December 25, 1966 in Magnetawan.
In his Discharge Certificate, William is identified as enlisting in the 12th Battalion on September 25th 1914.
He was discharged October 17, 1919 as medically unfit.
He was identified as having scars on his face, left arm and upper thigh suffered from a gun shot wound August 10, 1918.
After a time in the hospital in early 1915, Willie joined his unit, the 4th Battalion, in France in June of 1915.
On May 13, 1916 he received contusions on the face and scalp while serving with the 4th.
He was admitted to hospital and spent time in and out of hospital returning to the field in July, 1916.
On April 20th, 1917 he was admitted to hospital ‘dangerously ill’ with pneumonia.
On June 30, 1917 he rejoined his unit, the 4th Battalion.
In February 1918 he was appointed Lance Corporal and then Corporal.
On August 8, 1918 he was wounded.
The nature of Willie’s wounds are described on the next page: “He was wounded on August 9, 1918 at Auriens and returned to England in September.
He was hit in the left thigh which fractured the thigh.
The injury to his face and arm would appear to the earlier incident which hardly warranted mention in the accounts..
