William Babcock

Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
11333
Unit at enlistment: 
4th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Wounded: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Mount Hope Cemetery, Soldiers' Plot, Brantford, Ontario
Birth country: 
Canada
Birth county: 
Brant
Birth city: 
Brantford, Ontario
Address at enlistment: 
3 Drummond Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
301 Chuter Street, Buffalo, New York, U.S.A.
Trade or calling: 
Painter
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Single
Age at enlistment: 
35

Letters and documents

BX June 21, 1915

Received Welcome Parcel

Private William Babcock of the East Ward in the following letter acknowledges the gift of comforts sent by a group of East Ward residents, and received by him.

Pte. Babcock,
4th Company, 12th Battalion
Shorncliffe

Dear Old Friends,

It is with the greatest of pleasure that I write these few lines to you in acknowledgment of the present that you and the others were good enough to send me. I can tell you that it certainly came in handy, just in the nick of time. I am pleased to tell you that I am going on all right. Now I am learning a trade they have put me on the regimental police, so maybe when I get back to Brantford I might get a job with Chief Slemin (I said maybe). I will forward those handkerchiefs to the sisters who attended me when I was wounded. I must thank you one and all for your kind thoughts and presents.

Your Old Friend,

Bab

BX May 12, 1915

R. Hunter, Colborne Street yesterday received a card from William Babcock stating that he had been wounded in the fighting around Ypres, and taken to the hospital. Private Babcock was a well known man around the city, and had many friends. He was a South African veteran and was one of the first to respond to the call for volunteers. No further particulars as to the nature of the wounds are to hand. 

BX December 23, 1953

William Babcock

The death of William Babcock, 31 Marlboro Street, occurred Thursday evening in the Brantford General Hospital, in his 85th year.  Born in England, he served with the Imperial Forces during the South African War.  He came to Canada early in the century and served with distinction in the Mad Fourth Battalion in the First World War.  He was a member of the Canadian Legion, and was well known in military circles in the city.  He is resting at the Beckett Funeral Home until Monday, when services will be conducted at 2 p.m. with interment in the Soldiers’ Plot in Mount Hope cemetery.

BX December 29, 1953

William Babcock

One of Brantford’s best known war veterans, William Babcock, was buried in Mount Hope cemetery on Monday.  Many attending the service in the Beckett Funeral Home were veterans who fought in the South African, and the First and Second World wars.  They included members of the Ex-Imperials Association, the 4th Battalion Association and the Canadian Legion.  The service was in charge of Rev. Canon F.W. Schaffter, padre.  The pallbearers were T. Whelan and J. Turner, 4th Battalion Association; B. Monkman, A. Lain, G. Mears and A. Wright of the Brantford Branch of the Canadian Legion.  Comrade E.R. Edwards of the Legion was in charge of the memorial party.