Private William Bourne

Born on 29 September 1895 in Birmingham, England - son of Mrs. Joyce Bourne, Westboro, Ontario - 1915 attestation paper provides the following: trade as bricklayer, single, no current or previous military service, Church of England, height of 5 feet 10.75 inches, chest of 35.5 inches fully expanded, fresh complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair.

Joined the 38th Battalion in Ottawa, Ontario, on 26 February 1915 (number 410369) - taken on the strength of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion in France on 25 August 1915 - transferred to the Canadian Engineers on 9 March 1916 - transferred to the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion on 18 July 1916.