Born 17 April, 1897 or 1898. The correct year of his birth was 1898. He was born in Southampton, England.  Granddaughter Natasha Bates explains the confusion. When he joined up for WWI he gave 1897 as his birth year because he was actually too young to serve.  It wasn’t uncommon for teenaged boys at the time to do this.  William enlisted in the Great War and details can be found at the LAC online with access to his complete military file for that war.  William Fricker was the adopted son of Joseph Charles Fricker and Isabell (Newman) Fricker. They came to Canada when William was 9 years old.  They lived in Mount Forest, ON. He was a student living at home when he enlisted with the 153^rd Battalion 9/12/1915. At the time he was reported being 5’ 6” and had a scar on his chest, Right shin and a vaccination mark.

He left Halifax on aboard the S.S. Olympic arriving at Liverpool, England 7/05/17 and was TOS at Camp Bramshot. He transferred to the RAF 3/08/18 as a Cadet and began his flight training. It is unlikely that he saw combat before the war ended in November 1918. He departed Liverpool for Canada on 25/03/19, arriving in St. John, NB. 4/04/19 and was discharged 7/04/1918.  

In 1933, William married Phyllis Brock of Chatham, ON and took up residence in Chatham. They had a daughter in 1937.  

William was living at R.R. #5, Chatham, Twsp., Kent Co., ON.  He was an employee of the Canadian Department Store he enlisted in the RCAF  and reported for duty at London, ON in May of 1942. CDN 26/05/42. William was taken on strength in June, 1942 at the London, ON RCAF Recruiting Centre. CDN 5/06/42.

William joined the 153rd Battalion at London, ON and served as sergeant in WW1.  He later transferred to the British Air force as 2nd. Lieutenant.

He would later  enlist in the RCAF  and reported for duty at London, ON in May of 1942. CDN 26/05/42. William was taken on strength in June, 1942 at the London, ON RCAF Recruiting Centre. CDN 5/06/42.

Sgt. Fricker war reported in the CDN 23/12/44 being home from RCAF-Kingston on Christmas week-end with his wife and family.

William worked at Eaton’s Department Store in Chatham after they took over the Canadian Department Store. In addition, he had a second child in 1940, and other children were born after the war.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	2KRMR, IODE(P), CC-HR, IODE(N), CC-HR, CDN(3), LAC (military file WWI), Natasha Bates, Granddaughter
Supplemental Information	Appears on the ‘Muster Roll’ of the 2nd Bn., Kent Regiment (MG), N.P.A.N. (date unknown).

Birthplace	Southampton, England
Marital Status	Married
When Enlisted	May 29th, 1942
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. William Fricker

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