His story
William Hales had spent eight years in Canada by the time he enlisted. A London-born labourer, he was single and named his sister, Mrs Susanah Chase of Harringay, London, as next of kin. His attestation gives his birth date as 3 September 1884. The form preserves those family ties but does not establish his own settled address.
He attested at Calgary on 7 January 1916 and served with the 2nd Canadian Veterinary Hospital. He died on 6 June 1917, aged thirty-two, and was buried at Étaples Military Cemetery.
Before the war
- Nationality
- Canadian service
- Date of birth
- 3 September 1884
- Place of birth
- London, England
- Occupation
- Labourer
- Family
- Sister: Mrs Susanah Chase, Harringay, London
Military service
- Rank recorded
- Private
- Service number
- 161247
- Corps or service
- Canadian Army Veterinary Corps
- Unit
- 2nd Canadian Veterinary Hospital
- Enlistment or entry recorded
- 7 January 1916 at Calgary
- Earlier service
- No previous military service declared
Death and burial
- Date of death
- 6 June 1917
- Age
- 32
- Cemetery or memorial
- Etaples Military Cemetery
- Grave reference
- XXV. G. 5A.
Where he worked
A recorded posting supplies context for his service. Exact duties and presence during a particular incident require their own evidence.
Connected men
- Charles WALRYAlso recorded with No. 2 Canadian Veterinary Hospital
- George John ALEXANDERAlso buried at Etaples Military Cemetery
- Robert Victor BUXTONAlso buried at Etaples Military Cemetery
- William Henry CLARKEAlso buried at Etaples Military Cemetery
Sources and further reading
- LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA — ATTESTATION IMAGE
- LAC attestation
- CGWP
- CWGC casualty and commemoration record
Cite this biography
Graham Hodgkins and Pete Matthews, “William Hales”, Veterinary Virtual War Memorial, https://vetsremembered.org/people/william_hales/.
Contribute information
Can you identify a family photograph of Hales or the dated hospital and casualty pages in his personnel file? His last illness remains unverified here.