Vanstone, Private William Frederick

Service Highlights

  • Service Number: 727474
  • Born January 29, 1897 in Sebringville, Ontario.
  • Son of Joshua and Margaret Vanstone, of St. Marys, Ontario.
  • Attested at Stratford, Ontario on February 7, 1916.
  • Worked as a machinist.
  • Served first with the 110th Battalion, then the 8th Reserve Battalion, before joining the 58th Battalion in France.
  • Killed in action on October 26, 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele.
  • Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium and through the St. Marys Legion Veterans Banner Program.

A Life and Service Remembered

William Frederick Vanstone was born in Sebringville in 1897 and was closely connected to the St. Marys area through his family. His father, Joshua Vanstone, was a farmer near St. Marys, Ontario.

William was working as a machinist when he enlisted at Stratford in February 1916. He first served with the 110th Battalion, a unit raised in Perth County, before being sent overseas. He sailed to England on the SS Caronia arriving in England in November of 1916. He was later transferred through the 8th Reserve Battalion. In March 1917, he joined the 58th Battalion in France.

His time puts him at the front during some of the most difficult years of the war. On October 26, 1917, the opening day of the Canadian assault at Passchendaele, Private Vanstone was killed in action. He was 20 years old.

William has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium. His name remains among those remembered for their service and sacrifice, both overseas and here at home through the St. Marys Legion Veterans Banner Program.

Major Battles and Operations

  • Service with the 110th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force
  • Overseas service with the 8th Reserve Battalion
  • Service in France with the 58th Battalion beginning March 6, 1917
  • Vimy Ridge: April 1917
  • Hill 70: August 1917
  • Battle of Passchendaele, October 1917
  • Killed in action on October 26, 1917

Learn More

Canadian Virtual War Memorial
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/641739

Canadian Great War Project
https://canadiangreatwarproject.com/person.php?pid=59981

Friends of the 58th Battalion
https://www.friends58th.ca/58heroes.html