William John Wilson signature

William John Wilson, a schoolteacher, signed up on this day in 1916 in Picton. He was born in Northport, Ontario on November 14th, 1896, the son of Benjamin Franklin Wilson and Henrietta (née Cryan).

Wilson joined the 155th Battalion with the regimental number 636349. He was five feet seven and a half inches tall, with a ruddy complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He had previously served with the Royal Canadian Dragoons (for 70 days). On January 23rd he was struck off the strength of the battalion, to train as an officer.

In Deseronto on April 10th, 1916 William signed an officer’s declaration paper, becoming a lieutenant in the 155th Battalion. His service record shows that he left for England on October 17th, 1916. In January 1917 Wilson was transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corps, and given the rank of Temporary Captain. He was in France in 1918 and was transferred to the Forestry Corps Depot at Sunningdale in England for duty with the Royal Air Force on August 7th, 1918. He sailed for Canada on May 14th, 1919 and was demobilized on May 26th.

Wilson married Amy Elizabeth Heywood on June 2nd, 1923 at Walkerville, Ontario.