BILL, John D

John Bill was born in Wollaston in 1892, the son of Bradney and Emily Bill. He attended Wollaston CE School and at this time his family were living at 16 High Park Avenue. On leaving school in 1907 he became a grocer's assistant and then decided to emigrate to Canada. In February 1915 he volunteered at Winnipeg, Manitoba, for the Canadian Expeditionary Force and his papers described him as a farmer. He was posted to the 43rd Battalion (Manitoba Regiment) which joined the Canadian Army on the Western Front. The Canadians were involved in Flanders from 1915 and were again in the front line at Ypres in May 1916. Corporal John Bill was probably wounded and taken to a Casualty Clearing Station at Vlamertinghe. He died on the 16th May and was buried at Brandhoek Military Cemetery (II D 14 ). He was 23 years of age and is commemorated on the Stourbridge, Wollaston church and Canadian National Memorials.