William John Wallace MC

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit at enlistment:

58th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario

Awards or decorations:

Military Cross

Commemorated at:

Victoria Public School Honour Roll

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

18 Chestnut Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

18 Chestnut Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Engineer

Religious denominations:

Methodist

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Gallantry medals:

Yes

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 29872
Date: December 21, 1916
Honour or Award: Military Cross
Authority: R.O. 1227. Lipsett, November 24, 1916
Name: William John Wallace (Lieutenant)
Unit: 58th Battalion

Details: For conspicuous gallantry in action. He showed great courage in leading three separate bombing attacks on an enemy position. He was wounded.

BX December 23, 1916

Military Cross for Lieutenant William John Wallace – Local Officer Decorated for Leading Three Bomb Attacks

Lieutenant William John Wallace of this city, son of Sergeant John Wallace of the local police department, has been decorated for gallantry. Lieut. Wallace was decorated with the Military Cross for leading three bomb attacks, during which he was wounded. He left with the 58th Battalion. He was injured during the fighting of Oct. 8 and it is then that he won his decoration. Lieut. Wallace took out his commission in the 38th Dufferin Rifles. He had been in the trenches since the beginning of the year.

BX October 16, 1916

Lieutenant William John Wallace Reported Wounded

Sergeant and Mrs. J.T. Wallace received a cablegram this morning from their son, Captain Stanley Ross Wallace of the 125th Battalion, stating that his brother, Lieutenant. William John Wallace, had been slightly wounded. Lieut. W.J. "Bill" Wallace left Brantford with the 58th Battalion, going with them to the firing line some months ago.

BX October 17, 1916

Lieutenant William John Wallace is Reported Dangerously Ill Through Gunshot Wound

Word was received yesterday by Sergeant J.T. Wallace, of the local police department, from his son, Captain Stanley Ross Wallace, with the 125th Battalion at Bramshott, that his son, Lieut. “Bill” Wallace, at the front with the 58th Battalion, had been slightly wounded. This morning, however, three telegrams were received by Sergeant Wallace that he was dangerously wounded with a gunshot in the right thigh. The telegrams were sent by the Records Office as fast as the information was received. Lieut. Wallace is now in No. 8 General Hospital, Rouen.

BX October 30, 1916

Lieutenant William John Wallace In Grave Condition

That the condition of his son, Lieutenant William John Wallace, was very grave was the word received this morning by Sergeant Wallace of the local police force. The word received was from the matron of No. 8 General Hospital, Rouen, France, in which Lieut. Wallace is placed. According to word received he underwent an operation on Oct. 15. He is receiving the best possible care.

BX August 30, 1917

Lieutenant William John Wallace Returned Home

Lieutenant William John Wallace, son of Sergeant Wallace of the police department returned from the battle line last night. While it cannot be said that he is "fresh" from the scene of the activities yet it can be said that he has done "his bit" and done it well and came back to Brantford to further recuperate from the effects of the wounds he received at the long to be remembered battle of the Somme.

Lieutenant Wallace following his enlistment was given a commission in the ranks of the 58th Battalion in the month of September, 1915, and shortly afterwards preceded overseas. After training in England he went to the firing line and with his comrades shared the joys and the sorrows of the Somme where his gallantry was recognized and for which valor he was recommended for and tendered the Military Cross.

Lieutenant Wallace has suffered considerably from his wounds and still suffers but endures with patience and suffering - content to be [?] and [?] all without a murmur, knowing that when duty called he was there to answer. His father and brother met him at Toronto yesterday and the trio came in Brantford by the "flyer" last night.

BX February 7, 1918

Lieutenant William John Wallace Is Improving

Lieutenant William John Wallace, son of Sergeant Wallace was home on leave from the Toronto Military Hospital yesterday. Lieut. Wallace is improving slowly from his serious wounds, after several operations, but will have to remain under hospital care for some time yet.

BX January 10, 1957

WALLACE, William John – Suddenly, on Thursday evening, Jan 10, 1957, at his home, 51 Lawrence Ave, East. William John Wallace (Captain 58th Battalion, World War 1), beloved husband of Jean Jackson; dear brother of Gladys (Mrs. Steele), Marjorie (Mrs. Dowling), Marion Wallace, Stanley of Woodstock; Chester of Brantford, and Jack of Halifax, N.S. Resting at the Trull Funeral Home, 2704 Yonge St. Service in the chapel Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery.