William Clarence Fleming

Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
126570
Unit at enlistment: 
71st Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
No
Date of death: 
September 2nd, 1918
Cemetery: 
Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery - Pas de Calais, France - I.C.14.
Birth country: 
Canada
Birth county: 
Brant
Birth city: 
Brantford, Ontario
Address at enlistment: 
40 Earle Street, Waterloo, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
40 Earle Street, Waterloo, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Druggist
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Single
Age at enlistment: 
19

Letters and documents

Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action. During operations near Villers-Lez-Cagnicourt, he was instantly killed by the explosion of an enemy shell.

BX September 19, 1918

Private William Clarence Fleming Killed in Action

Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Fleming of Guelph, formerly of this city, have received the sad intelligence that their son, William Clarence Fleming, has been killed in action. Billy, as he was familiarly known to many Brantford friends, met death September 2, while serving with the artillery. He was formerly a member of The Expositor news room staff, and was widely known in the city. He enlisted with the 71st Battalion, was transferred to the 34th, with which he went overseas, and later went to France with an artillery unit. He had been over there for three years and had been twice wounded. He was 23 years of age and leaves besides his parents, two sisters, Mrs. Hertfelder, Kitchener, Maude at home, and George overseas, and Harrison of Newark who is leaving shortly with an American draft.

BX November 20, 1917

Guelph Mercury: “Mr. Alfred Fleming, steward at the Priory Club, received official word on Friday from Ottawa, stating that his son, Pte. William Clarence Fleming, infantry, had been admitted to the First Field Ambulance Depot, on November 7, suffering from gunshot wounds in the face, side and shoulders.  This young soldier enlisted with the 71st Battalion at Kitchener, and went overseas with a special draft from the 34th Battalion over two years ago.  About a year ago he was shell shocked, and had only recovered from this sufficiently to again go to the front on November 1 last, and was again wounded.”  He was formerly a resident in Brantford having been employed by The Expositor.