| Rank | Private |
| Service # | 17197 |
| Unit # | 7th |
| Resident | Dresden |
Regimental number: 17197 Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 326 – 10, Item: 18632, PDF: B0326-SO10. Date of Birth 20/11/1890 living in Lambton County, Born in Dresden, ON Ontario, the son of W. B. Babcock of Ridgetown and later of Dresden, ON. William, not being married, had gone west in 1912 and was employed as a sawmill engineer at New Westminster, British Columbia. He had belonged to the 6th Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles and enlisted in the 7th Battalion (British Columbia Regt.) at the age of 24. Attestation: 23/09/14 at Valcartier, PQ., Going overseas with the 1st Contingent 7th Batt.
Age: 24 years, Height: 5’ 8 ½” , Girth: 33 ½”, Complexion: Medium, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Black. “Mole on right side under armpit”, Weight: 140#. Completed Medical 5/09/14 @ Valcartier, PQ. The unit sailed 3/10/1914.
He reported sick after a Typhoid inoculation 7/09/14 but felt better 19/09/14.
It was reported in the Chatham Daily Planet 20/05/1915 that Mr. Babcock had received a letter from his son dated 21 April 1915, “during the heavy fighting, in which the coast battalion suffered so severely”. It was later officially reported that Pte. Babcock was among the casualties.
For some time his death he was unconfirmed 15/05/15. It was settled that William had been KIA 5/02/19 in ‘FIELD’ – or, 24/04/15, which was most likely.
BABCOCK Initials: W L Nationality: Canadian Rank: Private Regiment: Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment) Unit Text: 7th Bn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 24/04/1915 Service No: 17197 Additional information: Son of Mr. W. H. Babcock, of Dresden, Ontario. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 18 – 28 – 30. Cemetery: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Being on the Menin Gate Memorial means that there is no known grave site. The gate bears the names of 55,000 men who were lost without trace during the defence of the Ypres Salient in the First World War.
It was reported that Williams medals were recieced by his father and Mrs. N. Babcock receive the Memorial Cross 26/04/20
It was noted on the CVWM that Pte. Babcock was KIA: A comrade stated he saw Pte. Babcock after they were captured by the enemy, wounded in the left knee and was unable to walk; and because of this he was bayoneted to death. Therefore he was Killed in Action.
Afa: See Attestation record BABCOCK W L 17197 copied. LAC-FMF.
Memorial copied. CDP 20/05/1915.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Cenotaph | Dresden Cenotaph |
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (20-05-1915), RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 326 - 10, LAC, CVWM |
| Supplemental Information | Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 18 - 28 - 30. Cemetery: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL. |
| Height | 5'8 1/2" |
| Age | 24 yrs. |
| Birthplace | 20/11/1890 at Lampton County, ON. |
| Next of Kin | W. H. Babcock of Ridgetown, ON. |
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