Pvt John McWilliams #446223 was born Feb 2, 1874 in Belfast, Ireland. He enlisted April 28, 1915 in Calgary, AB at the age of 41 and was assigned to 56th battalion. He was 6’, 170 lbs, 38” chest, single, hazel eyes and brown hair. He listed his uncle Alexander Patterson of Belfast, Ireland as his next of kin, his occupation as a clerk and his religion as Presbyterian. His medals and decorations went to his Uncle Alex and his plaque and scroll went to another uncle, John Patterson of Antrim, Ireland. His uncle Alex also received his pay.
On July 19, 1915, he was transferred from the 56th battalion to the 30th reserve battalion at Shornecliffe, England. On Oct. 26, 1915, he was transferred to the 31st battalion and headed to France.
The 31st battalion was located at St. Eloi starting April 2 until April 9. On April 6, it was stated that a terrific concentrated enemy bombardment started at 3:30am and continued to 6pm with hundreds of shells per minute. The medic on duty worked nonstop for 48 hours. Casualties were expected to be very high with stretcher bearers coming constantly. Later in the day, cases of shattered nerves were very high with most of the men being told to lie down for the day. Several dugout were bombed and men died being buried in dirt. 70 stretch bearers from the 6th Field Ambulance were sent out after dark who made multiple trips. Front trenches were reported to be battered to pieces. Wounded men were removed all night. The war diary writer for the 31st provided very unusual personal commentary and was overwhelmed by the horror of the day.
Pvt McWilliams died April 7, 1916 in the trenches of St. Eloi while with the 31st battalion. He is memorialized at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in West Vlaanderen, Belgium on Panel 24-28-30. The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, often referred to simply as the Menin Gate, bears the names of more than 54,000 soldiers who died before 16 August 1917 and have no known grave. He is commemorated on page 131 of the Book of Remembrance.
On July 19, 1915, he was transferred from the 56th battalion to the 30th reserve battalion at Shornecliffe, England. On Oct. 26, 1915, he was transferred to the 31st battalion and headed to France.
The 31st battalion was located at St. Eloi starting April 2 until April 9. On April 6, it was stated that a terrific concentrated enemy bombardment started at 3:30am and continued to 6pm with hundreds of shells per minute. The medic on duty worked nonstop for 48 hours. Casualties were expected to be very high with stretcher bearers coming constantly. Later in the day, cases of shattered nerves were very high with most of the men being told to lie down for the day. Several dugout were bombed and men died being buried in dirt. 70 stretch bearers from the 6th Field Ambulance were sent out after dark who made multiple trips. Front trenches were reported to be battered to pieces. Wounded men were removed all night. The war diary writer for the 31st provided very unusual personal commentary and was overwhelmed by the horror of the day.
Pvt McWilliams died April 7, 1916 in the trenches of St. Eloi while with the 31st battalion. He is memorialized at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in West Vlaanderen, Belgium on Panel 24-28-30. The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, often referred to simply as the Menin Gate, bears the names of more than 54,000 soldiers who died before 16 August 1917 and have no known grave. He is commemorated on page 131 of the Book of Remembrance.