Sergeant William Theobald

Born on 18 November 1884 in Toronto, Ontario – husband of Annie Ruth Theobald, Toronto, Ontario – son of Mrs. Maria Blackwell, Toronto, Ontario – at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as labourer; married; no current or previous military service; Presbyterian; height of 5 feet 7.5 inches; chest of 36 inches fully expanded; weight of 139 pounds; fair complexion; blue eyes; brown hair – as of 13 May 1916, married with four children: Lillian Florence, 8; Beatrice Rose, 7; Albert, 5; and William Henry, 3.

Joined the 59th Battalion, CEF, in Lindsay, Ontario, on 8 May 1915 – transferred to the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 22 June 1915 (number 410910) – served with the 38th Battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda – embarked on SS Grampian at Bermuda on 29 May 1916 – arrived at Plymouth, England, on 9 June 1916 – appointed acting sergeant on 9 June 1916 – confirmed as sergeant on 10 June 1916 – landed in France with the 38th Battalion on 13 August 1916 – evacuated sick (“N.Y.D. Myalgia”) to 11th Canadian Field Ambulance, CEF, on 1 October 1916 – transferred to No.10 Stationary Hospital in St. Omer on 2 October 1916 – discharged from No.10 Stationary Hospital on 12 October 1916 – returned to duty in the field on 17 October 1916 – admitted to 11th Canadian Field Ambulance on 27 October 1916 – transferred to 12th Canadian Field Ambulance, CEF, on 28 October 1916 – returned to duty on 30 October 1916 – evacuated sick (“Cellulitis L Ankle”) to 13th Canadian Field Ambulance, CEF, on 13 March 1917 – returned to duty on 20 March 1917 – wounded on 28 May 1918 with a shell wound to the arm and side and evacuated to No.6 Casualty Clearing Station – transferred to No.7 Canadian General Hospital on 29 May 1918 – invalided to East Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital on 31 May 1918 and posted to Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot – on loan to 3rd CCD[?] on 16 August 1918 – discharged from 3rd CCD on 31 March 1919 and transferred to 6th Reserve Battalion – transferred to MD Wing No. 2 Kimmel on 15 April 1919 – struck off strength and embarked SS Orduna for repatriation in Liverpool on 7 May 1919 – taken on strength on No.2 District Depot, Toronto, on 7 May 1919 – demobilized in Toronto on 19 May 1919.

(Library and Archives Canada, military service file, William Theobald, RG 150, Acc. 1992-93/166, box 9584-47; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force)