Name
William Thomas Dolby
20 May 1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/06/1917
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
210256
Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
58th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LA CHAUDIERE MILITARY CEMETERY, VIMY
IV.E.14
France
Headstone Inscription
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary the Virgin Roll of Honour, Welwyn, St Michael & All Angels Church Memorial (paper sheet), Woolmer Green
Pre War
William Thomas was born on 20 May 1896 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire, son of William John and Maria Jane Dolby.
In 1901 the family were living in Eynesbury, Huntingdonshire, where his father was a railway signalman. On the 1911 Census his parents had moved south to 120 Morley Avenue, Wood Green, London and later lived at 83 Bury Road, Wood Green.
William emigrated to Canada on 3 July 1913, leaving from Southampton for Quebec on the Ausonia. He gave his occupation as 'butcher'.
He attested at Welland, Ontario, Canada, on 13 November 1915. and was described as being 5ft 6½in with a dark complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair and gave his occupation as butcher. He was living at 161 Huron St. Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Wartime Service
Shortly after the outbreak of WW1, in Canada the Welland Canal Defence Force was constituted to protect the Welland Canal, Hydro- Electric Works on the Niagara River and the Niagara Peninsula. William joined this force in November 1914, being promoted to Corporal by September 1915.
On 3 November 1915 he attested for the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was enlisted in the 98th Battalion (Lincoln & Welland) as Private 201256. He was reinstated to Corporal in December in 1915.
The Battalion sailed from Halifax on SS Lapland for Liverpool UK in July 1916, William lost his rank again, probably due to Foreign Service. They landed in Liverpool on 25 July 1916 and moved to Otterpool Camp, Folkestone. He was transferred to the 58th Battalion in September 1916 and was sent to France to join the rest of the Battalion, arriving there on 27 September 1916. He was again promoted to Lance Corporal on 17 December 1916 and Corporal on 9 June 1917.
On 28th June an attack was made on Avion Trench by companies of the 58th Battalion. Only a small number of casualties were reported, but unfortunately William was one of them. He was initially buried close to where he fell at Bois de Chauderie and at the end of the war was exhumed and reinterred at La Chauderie Military Cemetery, Vimy, France.
Additional Information
The Woolmer Green memorial incorrectly names him and 'Dalby'. His father, Mr W J Dolby, 83, Bury Rd., Wood Green, London, N22. ordered his headstone inscription: "FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH". Initially registered under service no. 1497 Lincoln and Welland Canal Force, 44th Regt. In his will he left everything to his mother.
His brother Alfred Sidney joined the 16th Rifle Brigade but was found deficient in eyesight and medically discharged.
The connection of William Dolby with Woolmer Green is not known.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer
