Sapper William John Smith
Survivor of WW1
Service Biography
William John Smith was born at Ormstown, Quebec, on 29 January 1897. A farmer, he was drafted under the Military Service Act in July 1918. His military administration began on 16 July and his enlistment and service were reckoned from 18 July 1918. He served as Sapper 3087587 with the Canadian Engineers in Canada, including at the Engineer Training Depot at St. Johns, Quebec. Smith did not serve overseas and was discharged at St. Johns on 6 January 1919 on demobilization.
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
3087587
Cause of Death (in war):
Survived
Branch:
Canadian Expeditionary Force
Regiment:
Canadian Engineers
Battalion:
Engineer Training Depot
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Ormstown, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
21 years 5 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
21 years 11 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Farmer
Next of Kin:
James Hugh Smith (father), Ormstown, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
Ormstown, Quebec
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Place of Enlistment:
Montreal, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
No
Height:
5 ft 4.5 in / 164 cm
Weight:
128 lbs / 58 kg
Chest:
35.5 in / 90 cm
Expansion:
3.0 in / 8 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Canada
Place of Discharge:
St. Johns, Quebec
Discharge Type:
Regular/End of Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
172 days in service
Buried at:
Links
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Sapper |
Canadian Engineers |
Canadian Expeditionary Force |
Engineer Training Depot |
|
|
|
Service Chronology
1897-01-29 — Born
1918-07-16 — Joined/call-up administration under Military Service Act
1918-07-18 — Enlisted; service reckoned from this date
1918-07-18 — Served as Sapper with Canadian Engineers
1918-12-26 — Executed demobilization release while on unexpired leave of absence without pay
1919-01-06 — Struck off strength and discharged on demobilization
Notes
At enlistment Smith was a farmer, single, and living at Ormstown, Quebec. He named his father, James Hugh Smith of Ormstown, as next of kin.
Additional Service Notes
Drafted under the Military Service Act, William John Smith joined the Canadian military administration at Montreal on 16 July 1918 and his enlistment/service was reckoned from 18 July 1918. He served as Sapper 3087587 with the Canadian Engineers in Canada, including the Engineer Training Depot at St. Johns, Quebec. He did not serve overseas. While on unexpired leave of absence without pay he completed demobilization release documentation on 26 December 1918 and was struck off strength on 6 January 1919.
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Father James Hugh Smith of Ormstown, Quebec, was named as next of kin.
Version: 3 Last modified: 2026-09-30 14:54:38
by: marc
