| Rank | Private |
| Service # | 112011 |
| Unit # | 7th Bn. Canadian Mounted Rifles |
| Resident | Ridgetown |
Regimental number: 112011.Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 703 – 2 Date of Birth: 21/03/1896 in London, England. (Lost Papers) – William Best: – London, England, at 537 Sandwich St., East – Windsor, ON. Mother – Mrs. E. Sheppard, 18th Ratcrocft Rd. Peckham, Rye, London, S.E. N of K:- Edward Best of Ridgetown, ON. Date of Birth: 21/03/1896. A single farmer living in Beacher, Howard Twsp., Kent Co., ON. Vaccination:Yes. Do you understand the terms:- Yes. 20th Best. Attestation: 11/01/1915 at Chatham, ON. to 7th CMR. Attestation: 11/01/1915 at Chatham, ON. – 11/01/1915. His father was living in Ireland.
Apparent Age: 18 yrs. 10 mths., Height: 5’ 6 ½”, Girth: 37”, Range: 3”, Weight: 140#, Complexion: Medium, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Light. “Fit” – 22/01/1915 – at Chatham, ON. Medical Officer- C.C. Bell – Capt:- 27/02/15. – 7th O.C. & th Can. Mounted Rifles: Chatham, ON. – 11/01/15. Tender scars on buttock C.S.W. – 25/04/1919. (from- 11/01/15. Tender scars on buttock C.S.W. – 25/04/1919. (from last address). Date of Arrival: – 5/10/16 at Halifax (Port).
Medical Exam: 11/01/15 at Chatham, ON – Born at London, England – Age 18 yrs. Farm Hand. 5’ 5 ½”, Weight: 144#, Girth: 34” , Chest: 36 ½”, Vac:1905 – 2nd Cdn., Div. 15/04/1915 – 27/09/16 to 29/09/16 – SL/ SLK. Hospital – 3 days – 29/09/16 145#. Slightly wounded 9/10/16 – returned to duty 9/10/16 – Date of service – 15/09/15.
Feb 18, 1916 – was struck by a shell causing trauma to his right leg and Buttock – Rectum wounded . Two artificial operations – one in the Left iliac – Secondary 0peration was done for closure of fistula and made good recovery. His condition is good all wounds made good healing. Operation on right iliac 4” long. Scar of abdominal operation on his Right 1llac 0f 6” long form Coceyx to Ischial Tuberosity – lso scattered – scars on numerous flesh wounds on left wounds – 11/01/15
Wounded dlightly 28/09/16 – 10/10/16 – Rejoined Unit. 9/03/17- Field . Contracted Rubella – and Shell Scocked. Discharge: 29/09/16.
Service: 25/04/1919 – “Demobilization” – Ridgetown, ON. 1/04/1919. 14/04/19 – SOS TO CANADA Apr. 16/1919 – TOS – No. 2 District – Toronto, ON. – 25/04/1919 – TOS a: 25/04/1919 – SOS – NO. 2 Dist. Depot :- PART No. Dist. Dep. 11/01/15 – Returned to Duty – 18/01/16. Att. 4th (5/05/16 – German Measles.) – Return – 13/05/16 – 28/05/16 – Rejoined unit. 20/05/16 – 1/10/16 – ‘Shell Shock” 30/09/16 – Disability, 17/12/16 – Granted Leave – 26/12/16 – rejoins 30/12/16 – Cdn. Light Horse – 28/02/17.
6/01/18 – Rejoined from leave. 22/12/18 – Proceeded to England. 16/04/19 – Liverpool aboard – 16/04/19. Embarked from Liverpool aboard the S.S. Belgic – 16/04/1919 – Debarked to Halifax – 23/04/19 – 218 Lincoln Rd. Walkerville, ON.
14/04/19 – SOS to Canada – 16/04/1919 – Sailing List. 25/04/19 – Demobilization 25/04/1919 from Liverpool to the S. S. BELDIO – 25/04/1919 at Toronto, ON. 25/04/1919.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (12-10-1916), TUC-RH, RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 703 - 2, CDP 12/10/1916. Photo found in Beacher W.I. books at Ridgetown Library. (note not found). |
| Height | 5'6 1/2" |
| Weight | 140 lbs. lbs |
| Eye Colour | Blue |
| Age | 18 yrs. 10 mths. |
| Complexion | Medium |
| Hair | Light |
| Birthplace | 21/03/1896 in London, England |
| Next of Kin | Edward Best of Ridgetown, ON. |
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