Rank unknown William Fingland

1. Rank unknown (Army). 1917-05-18 to 1919-08-21
2. Rank unknown, 16th Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1916-01-06 to 1917-05-18
3. Rank unknown (Army). 1915-05-25 to 1916-01-06
4. Rank unknown, 20th Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1915-04-17 to 1915-05-25

Discharged due to demobilization on September 03, 1919 at Toronto, Ontario.

In later life was was named Citizen of the Year for Niagara Falls, Ontario for his community services work and contributions to education.

Enlisted with the YMCA Military Services Department at Toronto on April 17, 1915 and appointed Honorary Captain. He was attached to the 20th Battalion a few days before that battalion sailed for England, (aboard SS Megantic from Montreal to Plymouth, May 15-24, 1915), On arrival he was posted to the YMCA MSD, London and attached to the 30th Reserve Battalion for duty.

Posted to YMCA MSD, France on January 06, 1916, On arrival he was attached to the 16th Battalion. He is named in Urquhart's "History of the 16th Battalion" Nominal Roll at pg 451. On August 31, 1916 he was hospitalized with Influenza and Debility. On September 12 he was evacuated to England and hospitalized there for about a week. On discharge he was attached to the Canadian Training Brigade at Shorncliffe. He returned to France, rejoining the 16th on November 10, 1916 at Camblain l'Abbe. He had a reputation for trying to set up his YMCA hut (dugout?) as close to the front lines as he could get away with.

On May 18, 1917 he was posted back to London and appointed "Leaves and Hospitality" Officer, serving in this capacity until March 1918. On March 18 he was appointed to the Khaki University, and taught at both Edinburgh and London. From February to April 1919 he was attached to the Canadian Forestry Corps HQ at Sunningdale; still with Khaki University.

He was appointed Officer in Charge of the Beaver Hut Club in London. He hosted, among other luminaries, King George and his sons. Bill Fingland returned to Canada aboard SS Columbia, August 21-31, 1919. He was demobbed at Toronto on September 03, 1919.

Bill Fingland was a friend of John Cannon Stothers, and mentioned in two of his letters. JC Stothers has been mentioned in other CEF Study Group threads.

In civilian life he was a clergyman serving a pastorate in Niagara Falls. His involvement with the YMCA continued for most of his life. He was also involved in education, (I'm not sure of the details), and received honours for this work. In 1967 he was named Niagara's Outstanding Citizen. He died at Niagara Falls, Ontario on December 04, 1983 and is buried at Fallsview Cemetery there.

Source: The History of the Twentieth Canadian Battalion, 1935, by Major D.J. Corrigall

Source: (jayelbee additions): LAC files

Personal papers & letters are in the McMaster University Archives.

HH Urquhart, "History of the 16th Battalion" Nominal Roll at pg 451

Initially posted to the Toronto YMCA Depot.

Attached to the 20th Battalion, Headquarters Company on May 11. Sailed with the 20th Battalion aboard SS Megantic from Montreal to Plymouth, May 15-24. He ceased to be attached to the 20th Battalion on arrival in England.

Attached to the 16th Battalion at Red Lodge Camp, Ypres on January 07.

August 31 he reported sick to 4th Casualty Clearing Station, diagnosed with Influenza and Debility and then transferred to the Duchess of Westminster's Hospital at Le Treport. On September 12 he was evacuated to England aboard HS Antwerpen and attached to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre, Shorncliffe, for administrative purposes. On arrival in England he was admitted to the IODE General Hospital, London.

He proceeded back to France on November 03, rejoining the 16th Battalion at Camblain l'Abbe on November 10.

Returned to England on May 18, 1917. Appointed officer in charge of "Leaves and Hospitality", London.

From November 01, 1917 to February 05, 1918 he was attached to the Office of Military Forces of Canada in London during the reorganization of the YMCA.

March 18, 1918 he was attached to the Khaki University and posted to Edinburgh. He was sent to London from May 30. He was hospitalized with Influenza from September 19 to November 07. He ceased to be attached on February 18, 1919.

From February 19 to April 30 he was attached to the Canadian Forestry Corps at Sunningdale

On May 07 he was appointed as the officer in charge of the Beaver Club, Strand, London. While in charge he hosted two future kings of England.

He returned to Canada aboard the SS Canada from Glasgow, (Canadian port not stated on file), August 21-31, 1919.