More Details
| Name - Last Name First | Smith, William Ernest |
| Distinctions | POW at Passchendaele |
| Birth Date- day/month/year // Parents if known | 10 May 1892 |
| Birth Place | Birmingham, England |
| Spouse | |
| Home Child Sending Organization | Barnardo's Homes |
| Year / Age Arrived in Canada as BHC | 1902 - 10 yrs |
| War(s) Served USE: WW1 or WW2 | WW1 |
| City of Residence upon Enlistment (include country) | Caledon East, Ontario, Canada |
| Regimental Number | 775571 |
| Date of Enlistment / Apparent Age / Real Age | 12 Jan 1916 |
| Next of Kin / Relationship / Location | Barnardo’s (Guardian), Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Place of Enlistment | Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
| Previous Service | |
| Final Rank / Battalion / Unit | Private, 18th Bn. Canadian Infantry |
| Killed in Action - Battle / Death Due to Service / Survived | Survived |
| Discharged: Date / Reason | 4 July 1919 / Demob |
| Date of Death/Cause | 25 Nov 1944 / fell 40' from windmill, fractured skull |
| Age at Death | 52 |
| Place of Burial | Caledon East Public Cemetery, Caledon East, Ontario, Canada |
Notes
WW# 1 enlisted Jan. 12, 1916 Brampton, 126th Peel Battalion overseas Battles Belgium, Holland, France, Captured & Worked German Coal Mine until end of War, Discharged in England from 18th Battalion, Returned 1 year after War was over
Death Nov. 25, 1944 • Caledon East Public Cemetery, Caledon Twp, Peel Cty, Ontario, Canada. 52 yr 6 mth 18 d, Dr. W. J. McLean - On His Farm Fixing Windmill Blade Fell 40 Feet Off Top on Farm, Fractured Skull right side, Cranial Hemorrhage, Severe Shock
Orangeville Banner, Date: 14 Dec 1944, Page: 9, Column: 3, Type: Obituary
Orangeville Banner, December 14, 1944, WILLIAM E. SMITH:
William E. Smith, a well-known farmer of North Amaranth, died at his home on Saturday, Nov. 25th, from injuries received in falling from the ladder of his windmill five hours earlier. Mr. Smith was born in Birmingham, England, May 10th, 1892, and came to Canada in 1901. He spent four years at Huntsville, four years at Mono Mills and enlisted in the 126th Peel Infantry Battalion on Jan. 12th, 1916. He went overseas in August and landed in France on Nov. 5th of the same year and was in all the engagements in which the Canadians took part, including Vimy Ridge, and Passchendale, where he was buried alive, after which he was taken prisoner, and worked in a coal mine for one year in Germany, being released when the war ended. In November 1918, on returning to Canada, he bought a farm. lot 21, con. 9, Amaranth Township, where he lived for 23 years. He was a loving husband and kind father, a good neighbor, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.
His demise is mourned by his wife, five sons, Norman, serving in the R.C.A.F. at Yorkton, Sask., Russell, Donald, Kenneth, Freddie and one daughter, Sylvia, at home.
Mr. Smith was a member of Mono Mills Anglican Church, and had attended Campania United Church for years. There was a large attendance of relative and neighbors at the funeral, which was held from his late home on Thursday, Nov. 30th, to Caledon East Public Cemetery. Rev. E. Warren, of Laurel, conducted the services.
The pallbearers were Messrs. Geo. Finlay, Lorne Davis, Austin Walker, George Patton, Carrick Young and Wilfred Galbraith.
The floral tributes were - Pillow, Wife and Family; wreath, mother-in-law, Mrs. H. Atchison; spray, Mr. and Mrs. George Finlay and Family; wreath, Shelburne High School Staff and V. L. Society; wreath, United Church, Campania; spray, Teacher and Pupils of S.S. No. 8; wreath, Mr. and Mrs. Ken McKitrick and Family; basket, Oakley Galbraith, Glen Sproule, Allen Elgie, Ralph Davison, Meredith Newell, Kay Fewster, Marg. Allen, Marg. Davison, all school pals of Ken and Sylvia, son and daughter, who attended Shelburne High School.
The flower-bearers were Messrs. Stuart Baxendale, Ross Nurse, Wm. Finlay and Peter Goymour. - Star and Vidette.
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