Neath, William Samuel: Service no. 408808

Brother Richard Henry Neath, reg. no. 409316 also served in the 18th Battalion.

There were five brothers of the Neath family of Owen Sound, Grey County, who served in the First World War. On a couple of occasions, images of the five brothers were published in the Owen Sound newspaper. One article about them mentioned that the five brothers were actively serving, and that three of them had been wounded in one week. William Samuel Neath was born in Peterborough, England (another source says Brackley, North Hamdonshire, England) on April 1, 1889. His brothers were English-born as well. His family emigrated to Canada in 1911. They resided at Owen Sound. William Samuel Neath married Frances ________ in 19__, and they had three children (Samuel, Roger and Earl). They resided at 644 2nd Ave. West, Owen Sound. W. S. Neath originally enlisted with the 37th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. His regimental number was 408808. He later transferred to the 147th Grey (Overseas) Battalion, and later on transferred to the 18th Battalion and 122nd Battalion. He had previous militia experience (seven years with the Bedford Volunteers), and he reached the rank of Sergeant. Near the end of the war, his rank was that of Sergeant-Major. His father, Henry Neath, moved to North Bay in 1918, in hopes that a change of climate would be beneficial as he was in declining health, and passed away there. Only son John (Jack) and daughter Amy were in Owen Sound at the time. There are images of the Neath brothers in the Grey County Archives. There is also a batch of xeroxes with their service records.
Occupation	Bedford Regiment (7 years), aka Bedford Volunteers 31st Grey Regiment (2 years) 37th Battalion, 147th Grey (Overseas) Battalion, 18th Battalion and 122nd Battalion of the C.E.F. First World War Veteran
Publications	Croft, Melba, GROWTH OF A COUNTY TOWN, p. 266 (mentions the Neath brothers)
Relationships	Brother: William Gladstone (Glad) Neath b. 18__-d. 1956 (veteran of First World War) Brother: Sgt. Richard Henry Neath Brother: Sgt. James Edward Neath (b. Aug. 2, 1887) m. to Kate _____ Brother: Sgt. Reuben Neath (b. 1894) Brother: John (Jack) Neath Sister: Amy Neath (Mrs. Fiske, later Mrs. Walter Warren)
Role	Military/Soldie
Spouse	Frances ______, m. 19__