Black, William Elmer

Sergeant William Elmer “Bill” Black

Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps

Service Highlights

  • Name: William Elmer Black, known as “Bill”
  • Rank: Sergeant
  • Service: Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps
  • Branch/Force: Canadian Army
  • Son of Mrs. Harry Burnett of Windsor and the late Archie Black of St. Marys
  • Enlisted with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps in London, Ontario, in 1941
  • Went overseas in late 1942
  • Served with 1st Canadian Corps Troops
  • Served with Canadian forces in the Central Mediterranean
  • Mentioned in Despatches for “gallant and distinguished service”
  • Worked for the St. Marys Cement Company before enlisting
  • Honoured through Royal Canadian Legion Branch 236’s Veterans Banner Program

A Life and Service Remembered

William Elmer Black, known to friends and family as Bill, grew up in St. Marys. He attended St. Marys Public School and later St. Marys Collegiate Institute before beginning work with the St. Marys Cement Company.

In 1941, with the Second World War underway, Bill enlisted in London with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps. He went overseas late the following year and served with 1st Canadian Corps Troops. By the time a St. Marys newspaper reported on his service, the 28-year-old sergeant was serving with Canadian forces in the Central Mediterranean.

The newspaper carried especially proud news for his family and hometown. Bill had been Mentioned in Despatches for “gallant and distinguished service.” It was a significant recognition of his conduct while serving overseas and provides a rare glimpse into how his wartime service was regarded at the time.

While Bill was overseas, his wife Gladys, formerly Gladys Dunseith, remained at their home on Water Street North in St. Marys. His mother was living in Windsor, while his sister Myrtle, Mrs. Carl Kaufman, lived in Stratford. His father, Archie Black of St. Marys, had passed away.

The surviving newspaper clipping connects Bill’s military service directly to the community he left behind. He was not simply a Canadian soldier serving somewhere overseas. He was a former St. Marys student and cement company employee, a husband, son and brother whose achievements were important enough to be reported back home.

At this time, we have not located a public service summary for William Elmer Black that confirms unit, service number, or specific dates of service. Until those details are confirmed, we are preserving his story based on the newspaper clipping. Today, William Elmer Black’s service continues to be remembered through the St. Marys Legion Veterans Banner Program.

Major Battles and Operations

  • Overseas service beginning in late 1942
  • Service with 1st Canadian Corps Troops
  • Operations with Canadian forces in the Central Mediterranean
  • Mentioned in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service
  • Specific battles and individual operations have not yet been confirmed

Learn More

Wartime St. Marys newspaper clipping, “Receives Mention”