Category: Military
Rank: Corporal 8565
Regiment or Ship: Canadian Training School
Service Number(s): 8565
Occupation: Farming
Date of Birth: 05.07.1897
Place of Birth: Sedlescombe, Sussex
Date of Death: 03.12.1976
Place of Death: Canada
Address: 17 Salisbury Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents:Â Â (from 1901 Census)
William and Clara
Siblings:
Albert
Thomas
George
Sarah
Wife:Â Gertrude Daisy [Veness]
Father in law: George Edward Veness  W0119 VENESS George Edward (Driver)
N.B. There is a surviving nephew living in Norfolk.
First World War Experience
William was the son of a gamekeeper, the family living at Catsfield in 1901. William had, at some time prior to the First World War, gone to Canada. In September 1914 he joined the 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), Canadian Expeditionary Force at Valcartier, Quebec. He gives his birth year as 1895, thus overstating his age by two years.
He eventually came to Bexhill where he served with the Canadian Training School. During his posting he married a local girl, Gertrude Daisy Veness. His description on the certificate as Corporal Canadian Depot suggests that he was staff rather than Cadet.
The details of William’s service are not known except that he had three years overseas service. After the war Gertrude and William settled in Canada. Gertrude leaving the UK on board the SS Metagama, 27 June 1919.
Forty years later the couple returned to Bexhill and enjoyed a family reunion at 59 Belle Hill which also celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Information from Doug Veness.
Additional Information
Archives Canada – Attestation form.
Information from Des Veness.