Name
William James. Searle
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/06/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
138963
Canadian Infantry (1st Central Ontario Regiment)
75th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CANADIAN CEMETERY NO.2, NEUVILLE-ST. VAAST
7. C. 1.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Thundridge, War Memorial,
St John’s Church, High Cross,
We are not aware of any memorial in Wadesmill
Pre War
Born on the 7th April 1888 in Harlow, Essex. Son of William Harry Searle a Bricklayer and Eliza Searle. William was one of nine children.
The 1891 Census records William aged 5 as at school, living with his parents and 2 brothers in Much Hadham, Herts. In 1901 William was 15 and working as a bricklayer’s labourer, living with his parents, 4 brothers and 2 sisters in Wades Mill, Herts. Then in 1911 as single and working as a domestic gardener, living at home with his parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters in Wades Mill, Herts.
William emigrated to Canada sometime between 1911 and 1915.
Wartime Service
William enlisted in Toronto, Canada. Signing his Attestation Papers for the 75th Battalion, Canadian Infantry on the 30th August 1915, aged 27. The 75th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, (1st Central Ontario Regiment) was raised in July 1915. After training around Toronto they embarked for England on the 29th May 1916, arriving in April 1916.
After completing their training in England, they embarked at Southampton for Le Havre, France, on the evening of the 11th August 1916, arriving the next morning the 12th August 1916. As part of the 4th Canadian Division they saw action in the trenches in Belgium in August 1916. After a spell on the Somme they returned to Vimy Ridge in December 1916, where they stayed for 6 months.
William was Killed in Action on the 8th June 1917, during an attack on enemy trenches, around La Coulotte, close to Givenchy, Lens, France. (In the area of Vimy).
Additional Information
CWGC records him as the “Son of Mrs E. Searle of 14, Youngsbury Lane, Wades Mill, Ware, Hertfordshire.”
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne Malcolm Lennox, Pat Bird
