Source: April 1918 casualty.
Family Search: When Private William John Courtney was born on 20 August 1893, in East Garafraxa Township, Wellington, Ontario, Canada, his father, William Courtney, was 20 and his mother, Elizabeth Margaret ‘Eliza’ Allan, was 25. He lived in Wellington, Ontario, Canada in 1901 and Wellington, Minnehaha, South Dakota, United States in 1911. He registered for military service in 1916. In 1915, at the age of 21, his occupation is listed as farmer in Belwood, Wellington, Ontario, Canada. He died on 5 April 1918, in Neuville-Saint-Vaast, Pas-de-Calais, France, at the age of 24.
Commemorated at the Fergus War Memorial.
Trade listed as Farmer. DOB 20-8-93, born Township of West Garafraxa. 5 foot 9 1/2 inches. Brownish eyes, dark hair. Baptist. NOK William Courtney, father. Enlisted Fergus 23-3-16 (age 22 years). On 153rd Nominal Roll 15-4-16, no transfer noted. On 153rd Nominal Roll as published Guelph Mercury 10-6-16. On 153rd Battalion Nominal Roll as published Guelph Mercury 1-12-16. Embarked with 153rd Halifax N.S. SS Olympic 29-4-17. Arrived Liverpool 7-5-17. Assigned 25th Reserve for Training and Administration. Taken on Strength 18th Battalion 30-3-4. KIA 5-4-18. Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Grave Ref: n/a. Vimy Memorial inscription photo courtesy S. Godly.
Name inscribed on Orangeville, Belwood & Fergus Cenotaphs. (Cambrai)
Circumstances of Death Register per Library & Archives Canada: Killed in Action Location of unit vicinity of Neuville St. Vaast. Next of Kin: father, William Courtney, RR#4 Belwood, Ontario.
File: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 2054 – 6, courtesy Library & Archives Canada.
Canadian Virtual War Memorial courtesy Veteran Affairs Canada.
Source: 153rd (Wellington) Battalion C.E.F. Site
Pte. W. J. Courtney, whose death was reported in last week’s Banner, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Courtney, of Marsville, formerly of Simpson’s Corners. He enlisted in the 153rd Batt., at Fergus, in March 1916 and went overseas in April 1917. He crossed to France last December and was drafted into the 18th Batt. shortly afterwards. He had been on active service continuously up to April 5th, when he was killed in action. Courtney had worked at home on the farm for three years before he enlisted. He was a fine young man, who enjoyed a splendid reputation in his home neighborhood. The sympathy of the community goes out to the bereaved parents.
Orangeville Banner, May 2, 1918 – Military Notes
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 