Of 362 King St. Chatham, ON. Prior to his enlistment he was an engineer on the staff of the Union Gas Co. His wife and three children resided in Chatham.

He enlisted with the First Kents in 1940 at mobilization and was given command of the Headquarters Company in 1941.  He attested for ‘active service when the county’s own unit was mobilized and commanded the Headquarters. Some time later he transferred from the Kent’s to take a staff course at the RMC at Kingston where he qualified as a staff officer.  

When the Kents were mobilized he held the rank of Major, and took over command of Headquarters Co. Left the unit in August of 1941 to take a staff course at R.M.C. Kingston and proceeded overseas a few months later to be attached to the First Army Tank Brigade. Returned to Canada in 1942 and joined the Staff of the R.M.C. In 1943 he went back to England as a Brigade Major with the 5th Canadian. Armed Brigade with the 5th Canadian Division as Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General.

Seventeen years in non permanent Militia. Enlisted as Private in Brockville Rifles. Commissioned at C.O.T.C. University of Toronto 1930.

A Major in the First Canadian Tank brigade after returning to Canada from England to lecture at the Royal Military College in Ottawa, ON. After attending the Royal Armoured Corps Tactical School to lecture at the Royal Military College in Ottawa, ON. as a G.S.O.2 instructor to senior officers.

Asked about his work overseas he responded, “We have rather interesting times in the manoeuvers in England that you read about. The manoeuvers are conducted under realistic war conditions, which are produced to fit the men for the experience they will have when they go into action. The training is rigorous – living on hard tack for a couple of weeks, marching miles and miles, sleeping in the open in all kinds of weather.”  He went on to say, “The men are well equipped and their morale is good, but they are just itching for the time they will get into action.”  The people in Britain, the Major said, “Have a very high regard for the Canadians and personally I think they are tops.” 

Before ending his interview, the Major stressed how important mail is to the men overseas. “They really appreciate letters and news concerning their family and friends. Letters help a great deal to keep up the moral of the men.”

He returned to England in 1943 as a Brigade Major of the 5^th Armoured Brigade and in the fall of that year he went to Italy where he saw service in the push through the Liri and Sacco River valleys beyond the Hitler and Melfa lines. In Italy he was appointed Deputy Assistant Quartermaster of the Brigade.  

The CDN 3/03/43 reported Major Dutton had arrived from Kingston to spend a ten day leave with Mrs. Dutton and family on King St. West.

The CDN 17/04/43 reported Major Dutton had been in Kingston, ON. and was spending a few days with family at their home on King St. West. The CDN 21/06/43 reported that Major Dutton had arrived from Kingston to spend a few days with his family.

The CDN 6/12/43 reported that HQ personnel of a Canadian armoured unit tankmen and motorized troops have landed in Italy after an uneventful sea voyage. Amongst the HQ personnel was Major W. L. Dutton. Major Dutton was formerly with the First Kents. CDN 7/12/43(P).  

The CDN Aug. 44(P) reported that then Major Dutton along with another officer were the parade adjutant for King Georges visit to the battle areas of Italy. Major Dutton was reported in the CDN 13/10/44 having been decorated with the Canadian Efficiency medal. 

Early in 1945 proceeded from Italy to North Western Europe and in March of that year was made commander of a divisional maintenance area with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Two months later he was appointed A.A. and Q.M.G. of the 5th Division and was holding that post when he was repatriated to Canada in October, to become the tenth Officer to command the reserve regiment since the close of World War One. Awarded the Order of the British Empire for outstanding service in World War Two.

He returned to Canada several weeks ago. CDN 15/12/45.

Retired from active Service November 15th, 1945.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	Order of the British Empire
Sources	CFF-FD44, CDN (3/08/40), IODE(P), KCFA, CDN (14/09/42)

Birthplace	Ingersoll, Ontario
Religion	United Church
Marital Status	Married
When Enlisted	July 1940
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Elaine Dutton

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