On August 1914
Private Bill was attached to the rations cart.
During February
of 1915, “Hell on Earth”, burning lead, gory bayonets, the unceasing rumble of
guns were more than enough to try the iron nerve of the bravest. Sergeant Bill
didn’t take a step back. He was there at the finish. In recognition of his
courage and initiative, Bill was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Sergeant Bill
went missing during the Second Battle of Ypres. Sergeant Bill was eventually
found/returned unharmed.
Trench feet and
shell shock were just in a days work for Bill.
He traveled to
France with the troops. Bill survived the front line and eventually returned
home with the boys. He probably found civilian life too tame, because he passed
away in Regina shortly after his arrival.
Sergeant Bill
stands mounted in the Broadview Museum, his blanket bearing the Fifth Battalion
badge, Sergeants Chevrons and wound strips. Today, like many of Bill’s comrades,
it looks faded and worn.
