School Remembrance Projects

William Ernest South, Private
120th/156th/2nd Battalion
4th Division, Overseas Parachute Brigade

Personal Information: William Ernest South was born in Chantry, Ontario (Bastard Township) on July 9, 1893. He had seven other siblings. William South lived just outside Smiths Falls, Ontario on Highway 29 (otherwise known as the Brockville Highway). He was one of the eight children that was given birth by father Francis Herbert South (1856-1925) and mother Ladorna Pope (1869-1944) (Isabelle South, daughter). William South made the biggest decision that would have a major impact on his life on the day of April 12, 1916. He was aged twenty two years when he made his way to Brockville and signed up for war. He was assigned to the 120th Battalion and his unit was the 4th Division, Parachute Brigade (Archives).

Military Movements: Approximately three hundred and thirty two days after William Ernest South signed up to go to war he was placed, along with the other recruits of the 120th Battalion to go to war. The war, or otherwise known as the Battle of Vimy Ridge (barrage leading to World War One) was extremely brutal for everyone involved (Archives) William Ernest South started within the 120th Battalion on November 11, 1916 at Whitley. On approximately November 7 1916 he was Taken on Strength (TOS) to Bramshott, England. Then on January 9, 1917 he was transferred to the 156th Battalion at Bramshott. William South was taken on 156th Battalion at Whitley. Then on May 23, 1917 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion at Whitley. He was then taken on strength by the 2nd Battalion in France. On May 25, 1917 arrived Canadian Based Depot in France. Then he arrived at the 2nd Battalion in France. On April 16 and 17 1917, William Ernest South was in charge of the Daily Orders which was where he would write down who died and who lived after that day. Also on April 20, 1917 he helped the wounded on the field. (Archives)

Medical Records: When William South had his physical examination before being 'allowed' to sign up, they found a scar on his left pinky of approximately one and a half inches in length. After being recruited, South made many trips to the hospital yet for nothing uncommon with the armies until October 13, 1917. South had four extremely important and recorded trips to the hospital. (Archives)

The first time that he was admitted was 16/13/17 and was released twenty seven days later due to the mumps. His next trip was somewhat long for he was in the hospital for forty days (12/1/17-20/2/17). The last two times were conjoined because they were both for his right elbow. On October 13, William South was hit with shrapnel. (Archives) Of course, the wound was not given the needed attention until four days later (21/10/17)! He was in the hospital for nine days (released on 30/10/17). Then, after nothing being suspected William found himself back in the hospital on 30/11/17 and was not released for another forty days. The injury continued to carry on as unknown with no real medical cure. Not until almost a year later was the shrapnel found! The piece of shrapnel was 1/2" by 3/4" in size. It had gone into the elbow at the joints and traveled to the humerus which is between the shoulder and the elbow. The wound was left open, and dressed with Eurol. The arm was then put on an angular splint which as of December 1st, 1917, had not been removed (Archives).

The Final Days: William Ernest South did not die in battle. In fact, he had been discharged (reason: demobilization) on September 1st, 1918. His death, as of right now is unknown (most likely died of old age because he was ninety one), although his date of death is August 25, 1984. William Ernest South is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery, just out the Brockville'2 Highway 29. His grave reference is not a number due to the fact that he survived and was buried with the rest of his family (Isabelle South, daughter).

Lest We Forget: William Ernest South was ninety one years old when he passed away. He was survived by his wife, his son, and his five daughters. He received a "British War" and "Victory" medal for his accomplishments. He will never be forgotten.

Primary Source
Military Files
National Archives of Canada

Interview
Isabelle South - daughter of William Ernest South

Internet
www.vac-acc.gcc.ca
www.archives.ca
www.cwgc.org

Text
Nicholson, Colonel G.W.L, Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919 ( Queen's Printer, 1964)