| Rank | 'Boy' Soldier |
| Service # | A470693, A50516 (Boy) |
Born 1925, the son of Oscar and Mary Florence (nee Mayhew). The brother of Mary (Ryan), Edward, Lyle, Wilfred, Betty, Marg, Milton, Robert and James. The husband of Iola (nee Fuller), the father of Geraldine (Cook), Brian, Allan, Paul and Virginia (Massey). Youngest of 4 brothers (Milton, Robert and James) who served in Canadian Army in Europe during Second World War. All 4 returned, two with war brides!
Appears on the “Muster Roll” of the 2nd Bn., Kent Regiment (MG), N.P.A.N. (date unknown). Underaged enlistment.
In militia, Kent Regiment Signallers, from May 1939. Enlisted in Active Service Force 22 Apr 1941. Trained as a paratrooper and Infantry Signaller. Overseas to UK Nov 1944. To Northwest Europe 17 Feb 1945. Transferred to Canadian Essex Scottish Regiment as Infantry Signaller “C”, 18 Mar 1945. With Essex Scottish in Germany and Netherlands until disbandment of unit Nov 1945.
After the war William became a fire fighter retiring with the rank of Deputy Chief. Also a HAM Radio operator, electronics repair technician, and a volunteer with the Emergency Measures Organization (trained to detect and mitigate radioactive fallout from nuclear attack)
William passed away 16 February, 1997 at the age of 71 years old. Interment at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham ON.
The following is from Son, Paul Papps.
Dad had been in the militia for two years and then enlisted for active service within weeks of turning 16. You could enlist, completely of your own choice, at 18. You could also sign up at 16 with your parent’s agreement.
He knew his father would not want him to enlist, so he claimed he was 19. Other soldiers told him that when he was actually old enough he should let the authorities know his real age, as this would have implications for his future military pension. So when he turned 18 he produced his baptismal certificate to correct the records. As far as I know, he didn’t go to prison for making a false statement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | 2KRMR, KRA, GOHS, P. Papps, Son |
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