William Forbes Guild died of wounds on this day in 1917
William Forbes Guild was born 2 December 1886 in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. He was the son of William (farmer) and Anna (née Lumsden), both of Scottish origins.
In both the 1891 and 1901 Census, he was at home with his parents and three other siblings. He was educated at Kemnay Public School, Brandon High School, Winnipeg and Winnipeg University.
Having graduated from Winnipeg in 1909, he became a lawyer with Messrs Campbell, Publado & Co and was a barrister at the outbreak of war.
He had previous experience of the 90th Winnipeg Rifles as a Private and Lieutenant and held the Captain’s Certificate.
William was living in Port Arthur, Ontario when he obtained a commission as 2nd Lieut. on 12 April 1915. He was then promoted Captain and Adjutant of the 52nd Bn in the same month.
He embarked from Canada 23 November 1915 and landed in France 21 February 1916.
He was shot in the shoulder on 18 Sept 1916.
‘A bullet entered anterior border of deltoid and came out behind shoulder (right). No bone injury, no nerve injury, some limitation of movement in raising arm’.
In early October, he returned to Canada on sick leave for two months from 4 October to 4 December 1916.
He returned to France on 14 December 1916. After training in staff duties, in early January 1916 he was appointed Staff Captain and Acting Major.
On 8 April 1917, William was wounded at Vimy Ridge.
He died two days later at No.6 Casualty Clearing Station, Barlin and is buried in Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension.
Staff Captain William Forbes Guild, 12th Brigade 4th Canadian Division