| Rank | Private |
| Service # | 637171 |
| Unit # | 155th, 21st |
| Resident | Chatham Twsp |
Born in Chatham Twsp., Kent Co., ON. 2/05/1887 the son of George and Margaret Rebecca Coulter of Dover Centre, ON. Prior to the war he was employed by the Great Lakes Dredging Co. of Toledo, Ohio, USA.
William attested with the 155th Bn. in Belleville, ON. and left for overseas with that unit aboard the S.S. Northland from Halifax, NS. on 17/10/1916 arriving at Liverpool, England on 26/10/16. From there he proceeded to Bramshott, England for training and made Acting L/Cpl. 23/11/16. William would revert to the rank of Pte. to join a draft for France.
Arriving at CBD (Canadian Base Depot) Rouelles Camp at Havre, France part of a 147 man reinforcement and was Taken On Strength by the 21st Bn. He then proceeded Bully Greney, France and joined the 21st there on 8/12/16.
While advancing against the Germans on Vimy Ridge 9/04/17 he received a shrapnel wound in his right leg and it was also then discovered that he was suffering from Trench Foot. He would begin his journey through the medical system for care first to No.32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux to have his shrapnel wound addressed and his foot condition accessed on 23/04/17. He was then sent to No.1 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne for rehabilitation, where he would be discharged 14/06/17 and from there to No.3 Rest Camp to continue his realization and once satisfied he was sent to the Canadian Infantry Base Depot at Etaples and then to 2nd Canadian Entrenching Bn. where he would remain until 21/09/17 when he received ten day leave before rejoining the 21st Bn. on 2/10/17 (a stretched 10 days).
The long leave might not have been a good idea as he was admitted to No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance on 10/10/17 diagnosed with VDG. which began another tour through the medical facilities for that condition. From No. 5 CFA to No.10 on the same day. Then it was by Ambulance train to No.51 General Hospital at Etaples until 11/02/18 when he was discharged to light duty and docked 50 cents per day for 124 days he was in hospital. He rejoined the 21st Bn. 3/05/18 and was awarded the “Good Conduct Badge” on 17th and given 14 days leave on 22/10/18 and he returned on 20/11/18.
With the end of the war in November 1918 Pte. Coulter was finally embarked on the RMS Scotian in Liverpool bound for Montreal, PQ on 6/05/19 and arrived in Canada 15/05/19. He was then declared a Deserter and struck off strength until 26/07/19 when he was apprehended and taken to Kingston where he was discharged on 30/07/19.
In January 1921 he married Mary Maude MacFarlane in Shannonville, ON. In March of 1923 his war medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) was sent to him at R.R.#3 Tupperville, ON. He would pass away 17 August 1956 and is buried in Dresden, ON.
GOH Additional information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | IODE, Chatham Daily Planet (16-05-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (01-09-1917), Chatham Daily News (20-05-1919) |
| Height | 6' 2" |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Age | 29 |
| Complexion | Fair |
| Hair | Light Brown |
| Race | White |
| Birthplace | Chatham Township |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Last Place of Employment | Great Lakes Dredging Company, Ltd, Toledo, U.S.A. |
| Average Earnings | $150.00 per month and board. |
| Marital Status | Single |
| When Enlisted | June 1916 |
| Next of Kin | Mother- Mrs. Rebecca Coulter, Dover Centre, Ontario. |
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