Private William Pope

Private, 4th Battalion, Infantry (Army).

Previous military service: Royal Engineers

Thanks to the efforts of Marika Pirie and Anne Park this man was added to the Canadian Book of Remembrance.

The birth of William is 7th May 1888 in St Nicholas District, Aberdeen. He was born at 2 Seaview Pl; Aberdeen. Father William Pope, Seaman (Merchant Service) Mother Janet Pope ms Nicol they were married 28th August 1882 in Aberdeen.

The Census of 1891 Has the family name as Pape so yet again researching gets hard.

Janet was staying at 17 Nelson St; with Annie Helen Janet and William. No father there that night.

By 1901 William Snr was staying at Rosebank Terrace but this time no Janet, the mother.

12 April 2011

Having forwarded William Pope as a CWGC non comm case on 29th June 2009 I was informed that the name of Pte. William Pope was added to the CWGC Debt of Honour register today.

Name: POPE, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: Canadian
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry
Unit Text: 12th Bn.
Date of Death: 01/03/1918
Service No: 10685
Additional information: Son of William and Janet Pope, of Aberdeen, Scotland.
N.B.: Recent research has shown that Private Pope is buried here.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Section 7. Lot 85
Cemetery: TORONTO (PROSPECT) CEMETERY

This record contains combined information from Marika Pirie and Anne Park. The soldier is not in the CVWM or CWGC databases.

Article appearing in the Toronto Star on 01 March 1918 (see attached original):

Pte. William Pope

Pte. William Pope, a veteran of the first contingent, passed away at his residence 24 Grove avenue, never having recovered from his severe wounds and hardships endured during his early war experiences. The deceased, who was a member of the 4th Battalion, was wounded in both legs at St. Julien in April, 1915. He was also badly gassed, and before returning to Canada had been in hospital in England for over twelve months. He was 32 years of age, and is survived by a sister, Mrs. T. O. Fraser, of Gwynne avenue. Parkdale branch of the G.W.V.A. will give him a full military funeral to-morrow at 2:30 p.m. to Prospect Cemetery.

Article with photo appearing in the Toronto Star on 02 March 1918 (see attached original). The use of "R. Pope" appears in the original which is apparently an error:

War Veteran Dies.

The death occurred on Thursday night of Pte. R. Pope a returned soldier, who was wounded and gassed at St. Julien. The deceased resided with his sister, Mrs. T. O. Fraser, at 24 Grove avenue. Pte. Pope was wounded twice, in addition to being gassed, and it was the effects of the latter which caused his death. He was discharged from the army, but was advised to re-attest last month for further medical treatment, which he preferred not to do in view of the new regulations which are coming into force for the medical treatment of invalids.

He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Fraser and Miss Annie Pope, who also reside in Toronto. The funeral takes place this afternoon, and is under the auspices of the Great War Veterans' Association, of which he was a member.

Aberdeen City Roll of Honour: 1 Rosebank Terr;

Despite the apparant age difference, the William Pope that is mentioned in the newspaper article and is buried with the photographed grave marker is very likely to be Reg Number 10685. There were only 10 William Pope's in the CEF, and this is the only one that was with the 4th Battalion during 2nd Ypres.