Soldier Record

William, born in Scotland, one of eight, moved to Oxfordshire with his parents to farm. He emigrated to Canada and worked his quarter share farm. He returned to England at his own expense, enlisted in the Royal Engineers, fought in France, and was killed and buried at Authuille (near Thiepval) Memorial in Lewknor Church. A font was given to Sunkist church near Lucky lake in his memory. When the church disbanded the font was kept in his farm barn and at a latter date was put into a church in Saskatoon, that had been destroyed by fire. When William first went to Canada he worked for the Spring Rice family who after the war wrote the words of "I vow to thee my country" in memory of Gerald Spring-Rice (51) also killed 26.05.16 and buried in Authuille Cemetery close to William.