MIKAN No. 3405557

Sapper William Canada in the Great War

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Sapper William Patrin Kennedy 718455 served as William Canada with the 107th Pioneer Battalion, CEF in the Great War. An Indigenous soldier, in addition, William had four younger brothers all serving with the CEF, older brother of Jack Canada 718459, Herbert Canada 721885, Archie Canada 922773 and Andrew Canada 718842.

William married to his wife, Ellen Canada. Additionally, they had one girl, Myrtle Canada, 2 years old, his parents Peter and Lenore Canada of Sandy Lake, Manitoba.

MIKAN No. 3405561
Canadian pioneers felling a tree which had been badly shelled near Vimy Ridge. August, 1917. MIKAN No. 3405561

Enlistment

William Canada attested 7 February 1916 at Winnipeg, Manitoba with the 107th Overseas Battalion, CEF. Chief Justice Walter Scott approving. At this time, William Canada stood 5′ 11″ tall, 200 pounds, with dark complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. He was Roman Catholic. Finally, William Canada’s unit sailed 18 September 1916, arriving Liverpool, 25 September 1916.

France

William disembarked in France, 25 February 1917.

Engineers repairing damaged roads following advance, 9 March 1917. MIKAN No. 3405423. Sapper William Canada
Engineers repairing damaged roads following advance, 9 March 1917. MIKAN No. 3405423

Sapper William Canada awarded one Good Conduct Badge, 7 February 1918. Then, Sapper William Canada granted 14 days leave to Paris, 13 February 1918, and returned from leave, 28 February.

Sapper William Canada sentenced to 14 Days FP No.1 for When on Active Service, (1) drunk and (2) AWOL from 6 pm 14 March 1918 to 28 March 1918, and forfeits 2 days pay. Finally, William admitted to No.3 Canadian General Hospital, VDG, 3 April 1918.

William’s unit now known as the 107th Pioneer Canadian Engineers, 10 March 1918.

1st Battalion, Canadian Engineers

Organized in France in May 1918 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Ccrawford Walkem. Nucleus formed from 1st Field Company and from a portion of the 107th Pioneer Battalion. In addition, remainder of personnel from Canadian Engineers Reinforcement Depot, 1st Canadian Engineer Brigade. Demobilized in Winnipeg in May 1919. Disbanded by General Order 192 of 1 November 1920. Pipe band (formerly band of 107th Pioneers). See also 1st Field Company, Canadian Engineers and 107th Battalion.

MIKAN No. 3521930. Sapper William Canada
All bridges were destroyed in the German retreat but our Engineers completed a temporary structure, to allow our Troops to pass. MIKAN No. 3521930

Wounded

William Canada wounded at Arras on 18 July 1918 (self-inflicted GSW right foot). Transported to No.46 CCS on 18 July (operation for explosive bullet wound)), there some time, then to No.59 CCS for four or five days in Hesdin. Then, transferred to No.4 General Hospital on eve of 8 October and admitted to Richmond Park Hospital (South African Military) on 9 October 1918. Operated again on 19 October 1918. Then, transferred to No. 16 Canadian Military Hospital, Orpington, 28 October 1918. Finally, on 30 October, present condition fifth metatarsal and 5th toe carried away and transferred to Ward No.34 on 28 November 1918.

Canadian Engineers digging a sap. February 1918. Private Fed Hamilton of the 29th Battalion was attached to Canadian Engineer Working Parties. MIKAN No. 3405424.Sapper William Canada
Canadian Engineers digging a sap. February 1918. MIKAN No. 3405424

Inquiry

Inquiry of the Medical Board on 2 September 1918 found his GSW to have been accidental. Finally, the Board considered William to be unfit for trial, and unfit for punishment, recommending transfer to the United Kingdom.

Sapper William Canada AWOL 13 February 1919 to 17 February 1919, fined two days and forfeits 5 days pay. Then, William AWOL 3 March 1919 to 10 March 1919, fined five days and forfeits 11 days pay. Finally, Sapper Canada transferred to Casualty Company, 28 March 1919.

Canada discharged 15 April 1919 at Winnipeg, with 3 Blue Chevrons. Confirmed by Major Forbes, O.C. No. 10 District Depot.

Canadian Engineers. Engineers working a quarry for road making material, February 1918. MIKAN No. 3256660. Sapper William Canada
Canadian Engineers. Engineers working a quarry for road making material, February 1918. MIKAN No. 3256660

Sapper Jack Canada

Sapper Jack Canada served with William in the 107th Battalion. Another big brother, standing 5′ 11″ tall, 190 pounds. Firstly, unit sailed 18 September 1916 per SS OLYMPIC and soon treated for VDG, on 18 October 1916. Then, wounded (gassed) 26 July 1918, and admitted to No.14 Canadian Field Ambulance. Finally, treated for Influenza, 24 October to 8 November 1918 at No.14 Canadian General Hospital, Eastbourne, and discharged from service 11 March 1919 in Winnipeg.

MIKAN No.3404823
Horatio Bottomley, noted British public figure, was on a moral boosting tour of the Western Front at this time. The soldiers, from a variety of Commonwealth countries, are mostly dressed in hospital blues, a convalescing soldier’s uniform. MIKAN No.3404823

Private Herbert Canada

Herbert Canada enlisted three times. Illegally absent and discharged the first time, declared a deserter the second time, and finally honourably discharged after his third enlistment. He served in Canada with the 1st Depot Battalion, Manitoba. Herbert Canada died 29 April 1972.

Private Archie Canada

Archie Canada served with the Canadian Forestry Corps in England during the Great War. Also declared a deserter in January of 1917, but eventually returned to Canada aboard RMS SCOTIAN embarking Liverpool on 11 June 1919 and discharged 25 June 1919.

Sapper Andrew Canada

Andrew Canada served one year and six months with the 107th Battalion in France. Firstly, suffered a GSW to his shoulder and back on 2 September 1918. Then, discharged 11 March 1919 in Winnipeg. Finally, Andrew died 2 October 1937, leaving behind his wife Sarah J. Canada.

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