William John Whitla

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199502758
• Military: WW1
• Military: WW1 - 1st Infantry Battalion
• Residence: Newtownards, , Down, Northern Ireland
• Residence: Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-140546P
• Military: 1914, WW1; WW1, Sergeant, 1st Infantry Battalion

Notes:

Corporal William Whitla enlisted with the First Canadian Contingent overseas, and was reported wounded on April 30th, 1915. He was awarded the Military Cross for bravery on the battlefield. He is a native of Newtonards, Ireland, and has been a resident of Galt for three years.

Annual Report of the Waterloo Historical Society, 1915

___________________________


POPULAR FORMER OFFICER OF 11TH GIVES LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY.

FOUR OTHER GALT MEN ARE REPORTED TODAY AS WOUNDED.

Killed in Action.

Capt. J. Frank Welland.

Wounded.

Bombardier L. V. McCreith, M. M.
Pte. Ernest W. A. Rundstaller
Pte. David Whitla
Pte. Albert C. Spurgeon

Galt today has a heavy toll of casualties. The community was shocked at the receipt of news of the death in action on Nov. 5th of Capt. Joseph Frank Welland, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Welland, 22 Glebe street, and an exceptionally popular officer.

Most of today's casualties were sustained during the first week in November and it is presumed they occurred in the fighting in which the Canadians took part in the vicinity of Passchendaele.

Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved family of the late Capt. Welland, whose demise so early in life is regretted by all. In giving his life for his country in the fight for righteousness, the late Capt. Frank Welland displayed the true spirit of a soldier. Had he been agreeable he would have been sent home in February last. The late officer was a sufferer from asthma and after being engaged as an instructor in England for some months, and his opportunity came to go to France, he doctored himself up for the asthma and was successful in eluding the Medical Board and got away to France. It was during the first week in May that Capt. Welland crossed the channel and went to the firing line. He had just recently been in London and Scotland on a well-earned leave and had been back in France only three weeks when he met his death.

The late Capt. Welland was in his 25th year and was born near Galt on a farm. The family moved into Galt when he was young and he had spent practically all his life here. He was educated at the Dickson school and on graduating from the Collegiate Institute took a school teacher's course at the Hamilton Normal school. On obtaining his certificate he taught school for a short time at Freelton and then became assistant principal of St. Andrew's school in this city, which position he had very capably filled for a year and a half when he enlisted with the 111th Battalion. Deceased had been very successful at his chosen profession and had a most promising career.

His Military Career.

It was in 1913 that he entered upon his military career with his cousin, Capt. Fred Welland, now home after being wounded. He spent his summer vacation that year taking a cadet instructor's course at London and while in that city enlisted as a private with the 7th Fusiliers. When he returned to Galt after the holidays he became attached to the 39th Regiment, H. L. I. of C., and took out a lieutenant's commission, later qualifying for his captaincy and also as a field officer. When the 111th Battalion was being organized, he joined this unit along with his cousin, Capt. Fred Welland, and was placed second in command of A Company. He proved a most efficient officer, beloved by his men and greatly devoted to his work. He had specialized in bombing in England and was complimented by the Brigadier in England on the work of his bombing department. He was employed as an instructor all the time he was in England and on going to France had held various important positions as bombing officer, acting adjutant and for a time was attached to the Intelligence Department. In the same unit, to which the late Capt. Welland was attached in France there was another former 111th officer, Lieut. Yates of Preston.

Only Monday, three letters were received from the deceased officer, two by his family and one by his cousin, Capt. Fred Welland, whose letter was written from Scotland before he returned to France.

The death of the late Capt. Welland is mourned greatly by his cousin, Capt. Fred Welland, as the two cousins were greatly attached to each other and were more like brothers. They were associated with each other in practically everything they undertook, going to school together, and then enlisting in the same battalion.

Deceased was a member of the Baptist church, and was also identified with the local Y.M.C.A. Besides his grief stricken parents, there survive four sister, Misses Isabelle and Ida, nurses in St. Louis; Elizabeth and Stella at home, the former a teach at Manchester school and the latter also a teacher, but at present attending Business College.

M. M. Hero Wounded.

Mrs. Rolland McCreith, Spruce street, was notified this morning that her youngest son, 84169 Bombardier Leo Vernon McCreith, M. M., who enlisted with the 16th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery at Guelph, shortly after the war broke out, had been admitted to the 6th British Red Cross Hospital at Etaples on Nov. 1, suffering from a gunshot wound in the right foot. Bombardier McCreith went overseas with the second contingent and has been in France nearly three years. Some months ago he was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field. This is the first time he has figured in the casualty list. This father and only brother are also in uniform.

Three 111th Boys.

The other three casualties reported this morning are all former members of the 111th.

730,621, Pte. Ernest William Alexander Rundstaller, reported admitted to the First Field Ambulance Depot on Nov. 5th, with a gunshot wound in the right thigh and hand, is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Rundstaller of 74 Haddington street. He is a tailor by trade, single, and a former member of the 29th Regiment.

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Whitla, 184 Water street north, learned that their son, 730,110, Pte. David Whitla, had received a gunshot wound in the back and was a patient in the 6th General Hospital, Rouen, admitted on Oct. 31st. The wounded soldier is a brother of Lance-Corporal Wm. Whitla, who enlisted with the first battalion and who was awarded the Military Cross and who was the first Galt man to win a decoration.

The fifth casualty is 730,571, Pte. Albert Charles Spurgeon, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sprugeon, 15 Summit avenue, who is reported in the First Field Ambulance Depot on November 6th with a shrapnel wound in the leg. The wounded soldier is only 24 years of age and was formerly employed at the C.M.C, works.

In reply to a query, Mrs. William Cyples, corner of Cambridge street and Macadamized road, was notified this morning that her husband, 730,045, Lance-Corporal Wm. Cyples, reported wounded some time ago, was doing very well at the Duchess of Connaught Red Cross Hospital.

The Galt Daily Reporter - Galt, Ontario, Tuesday, November 13, 1917

William — Mary Ann Davidson. Mary was born 1 Nov 1891, St. Nicholas, Aberdeen, , Aberdeen, Scotland; died 7 Jun 1965, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198536415
• Residence: 184 Water St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-165057

William — Margaret Jane Cardy. Margaret was born 18 May 1872, Newtownards, , Down, Northern Ireland; died 5 Sep 1943, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/198536754
• Name: Margaret Jane Whitla
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-165058
• Residence: CA 1916, 184 Water St. N., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada