Cause of Death: Pneumonia
Location: Brantford, Ontario

BX July 14, 1916

First Death in 125th Battalion – Corporal Wilbert Greenaway Passed Away at Local Hospital Today.

Corporal Wilbert Arthur Greenaway of No. 2 platoon, “A” Company of the 125th Battalion, passed away at the Brantford General Hospital early this morning and another name has been added to the ever-increasing honor roll of Brant County’s heroes. The passing of Corporal Greenaway, who though he lived not to see the battlefields of Europe or even the life at Camp Borden, has made the supreme sacrifice, makes the first break in the ranks of Brant County’s Own Battalion, the 125th. 
    
The late Corp. Greenaway was among the first to join up when the 125th Battalion was organized, and from that time on until a short time before the battalion left for camp he was actively connected with the best interests of the platoon to which he belonged. He was taken suddenly ill with pleura-pneumonia shortly before the departure of the battalion for camp, which necessitated his removal to the hospital, and although he was at one time on what appeared to be a fair road to recovery, he suffered a relapse, which resulted in his death early this morning.
    
Corporal William Greenaway was one of those who made a real sacrifice when he donned the khaki, as he leaves behind a sorrowing widow and little daughter to whom the sympathy of the whole community will be extended in their sad bereavement. His mother, two brothers, Chester at home, and Corp. Lawrence Greenaway of No. 3 Reserve Battery at Shorncliffe, and two sisters, Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Vrooman, of this city, also survive him. Deceased was a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
    
The funeral, which will be with military honors, will take place from his late residence, 42 Sheridan Street, on Sunday afternoon to Mt. Hope cemetery for internment. 
 
BX July 17, 1916

Remains of Corporal William Arthur Greenaway Were Solemnly Interred on Sunday – Impressive Military Ceremony Held to Honour Deceased Soldier

Although in the providence of events, he was not permitted to share in the glory of the heroic charge of the battlefield. Yet, as one who waits and serves, Corp. W. Greenaway of the 125th Battalion whose remains were yesterday afternoon, with full military honors, laid to rest in Mt. Hope cemetery did his duty as all do who have donned the khaki.

Impressive was the last ceremonial performed over the remains with all the rites befitting the Kings’ soldier. Hundreds of citizens and soldiers with devoutly bowed heads paid their last tribute to a man animated with the right spirit, at the First Baptist Church, where the services were held and along the city streets through which the cortege passed.

At 2:15 the 215th Battalion paraded and 15 minutes later the whole battalion marched to 42 Sheridan Street, where the remains lay. They were placed on the gun carriage by the pallbearers, who were members of his own section of No. 2 platoon, “A” Company, who had come down from Camp Borden for the funeral. Lieut. Dean Andrews, his old platoon commander, was in charge, and other officers who were present were Lt.-Col. Cutcliffe, Capt. S.W. Seago and Lieut. K.V. Bunnell. From the house the remains were taken to the First Baptist Church. 
    
At 3 o’clock the services were solemnly conducted in the church by Rev. Llewellyn Brown, assisted by Capt. S.E. McKegney, chaplain of the 215th Battalion. Amongst the mourners in the church, which was crowded, were his young wife, mother, sisters and brothers, a large number of fellow comrades from the 125th Battalion who were in town for the weekend and many friend and acquaintances.
    
Rev. Mr. Brown addressed a few remarks to the soldiers and in so doing paid tribute to the sterling worth of the deceased. His going was peculiarly pathetic, said the pastor, because it did not give him the opportunity he craved of going to the front to take part in the struggle waging now. The pastor felt especially near the departed brother because not very long ago he had united him in marriage.
    
“There are many sad things about this great war,” said Rev. Mr. Brown. “A great many homes have been made sad by it, many lives have been cut off and many who still live are maimed or injured for life. However, one of its bright sides is the calling of the nations, the soldier boys and every one of us back to the Church, back to the Bible. If the war has not had that effect on Canada, Great Britain, France and Russia, I tell you it is a dark outlook for us.
    
“This great war ought to call every one of us back to God and back to His house of service. I have a deep feeling that the war will never terminate successfully by the sword or by the pouring of wave after wave of men into it. I have a growing feeling that God is not going to give us the victory until as a nation we are thoroughly repentant of our sins. I believe, however, that God is behind us and while brave men like Kitchener and our fellow citizen have fallen, God is on our side, and if our side be right God will fight with us and give us victory.”
    
After the ceremony had been concluded, with the 215th Battalion leading, the sad procession wended its way to the Mt. Hope cemetery by way of Market Street. Following the band was the firing party, picked from the 215th Battalion, with reversed arms. Then came the band and the ministers. Behind the band was the gun carriage drawn by khaki-clad men from his own section. Many rigs full of mourners followed. At the grave after the service had been taken by Capt. McKegney, the firing party fired three volleys over the grave the buglers sounded the “Last Post.”

The Floral Tributes 

The floral tributes received by the family of the late Corp. Wilbert Greenaway were as follows: Pillow, family; wreaths, erecting room, Cockshutt Plow Company, Mr. Ed. Oliver, Lt. Andrews, N.C.O.’s and men of no. 2 platoon, “A: Company, 125th Battalion C.E.F. Mr. and Mrs. J. Humble, cross, Miss H. Hayward, sprays, Misses Olla and Katie ward, sprays, Misses Olla and Katie Wright, Toronto cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Len Isaac, Mr. and Chas. Lamb, Misses Mollie and Josie Fitze, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Watt, Mrs. Harrington and Mrs. Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. A. Hubert, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hurley, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Skillings and family, Mr. and Mrs. Smith Wait and family, Mr. Victor McDonald, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rathbun, Mr. and Mrs. W. Rathbun and family, Mr. Richard Humble, Pte. A.C. Kennedy, Pte. Hubbard and wife, Private George Humble, Sergeant Skelton and wife, Private Meade and wife, Mr. and Mrs. James Rice, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rathbun, Miss M. Simmons, Larraine and Harry, Mr. J.H.T. Humble, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Misner, Pte. W. Sporne and wife Mr. and Mrs. Marcham, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. C. Lang, Pte. T. Humble and wife, Mr. and Mrs. John Dawson, Mr. and Mrs. George Riley, Mr. and Mrs. Jas Espey, Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Hawthorne; wreaths, K.O.T.M., Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rathbun.