Pte
William Christopher Kewley
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 12/07/1892 |
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Place of birth: Vicarage, Ulpha, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Cardale, Manitoba, Canada |
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Profession: Farmer |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Canada |
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Force: Canadian Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 406863 |
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Enlistment date: 01/05/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
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Units: — Canadian Infantry, 25th Bn. (Nova Scotia Rifles) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 12/04/1916 |
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Place of death: The Mound, St. Elooi, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 23 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: 26M |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
William Christopher Kewley, a farmer, was born on 12 July 1892 at Ulpha Vicarage, Cumberland, England. He was the son of Reverend William Kewley and Ada Sharpe. He studied at Selwyn College, Cambridge and was a member of the Officers’ Training Corps. In March 1914 he emigrated to Canada and lived at Cardale, Manitoba. On 1 May 1915 the enlisted at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He served as a private in the 35th Battalion. By 1916 he had been transferred to the 25th Battalion Canadian Infantry, part of the 5th Canadian Brigade, of the 2nd Canadian Division.
The 2nd Canadian Division took part in the Actions of St Eloi Craters, an operation between 27 March to 16 April 1916. In early April the 5th Canadian Brigade took over the frontline. At this point, the attacks had ceased, and the troops concentrated on improving the front line.
William Christopher Kewley, aged 23, was killed in action 13 April 1916. His commanding officer wrote the family, explaining that the Private Kewley was killed while carrying a wounded soldier to an aid post. He was initially buried near St. Eloi, at 28.O.2.d.6.8. This grave was not recovered or identified after the war. Private Kewley is remembered on panel 26M of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
The 2nd Canadian Division took part in the Actions of St Eloi Craters, an operation between 27 March to 16 April 1916. In early April the 5th Canadian Brigade took over the frontline. At this point, the attacks had ceased, and the troops concentrated on improving the front line.
William Christopher Kewley, aged 23, was killed in action 13 April 1916. His commanding officer wrote the family, explaining that the Private Kewley was killed while carrying a wounded soldier to an aid post. He was initially buried near St. Eloi, at 28.O.2.d.6.8. This grave was not recovered or identified after the war. Private Kewley is remembered on panel 26M of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Sources 3
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Circumstances of Deaths Registers (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG150, 1992-93/314). https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca Sources used |
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Personnel Records of the First World War (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG 150). https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1593588 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=4abf2a0d-217b-4186-8d5f-11e5f861a063 |
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The Canadian Virtual War Memorial https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/1593588 |