William George Penfound

Police Constable 560, Toronto Police Force | Corporal, 75th Battalion (Mississauga) CEF

William George Penfound was born on 22 May 1891 at Petrolia, Ontario and grew up in the nearby town of Oil Springs. On October 1st, 1914, Penfound joined the Toronto Police Force as Police Constable no. 560 at the age of 23. He was single and lived at 105 Carlaw Avenue.

Constable Penfound, already a member of the Canadian Militia (the 9th Mississauga Horse), enlisted in Toronto’s 75th Battalion (Mississauga), CEF, for active service on July 13th 1915. After a period of local service, Penfound sailed to England on the SS Empress of Britain on March 29th 1916. Penfound proceeded to France as a replacement with the 60th Battalion (Victoria Rifles of Canada) CEF, and after ten months at the front with that unit was transferred to the 87th Battalion (Canadian Grenadier Guards) CEF.

In May 1917, Penfound rejoined his original unit, the 75th Battalion (Mississauga) CEF, which was now also serving at the front. Penfound served and survived numerous battles until the Armistice was declared on November 11th 1918, ending the war.

On November 14th, his unit advanced into territory previously occupied by the enemy, in Anzin, France. Penfound and his fellow soldiers entered an abandoned dwelling for rest, but fell ill when entering the basement, where low-lying poison gas from recent battles had settled. He was evacuated to No. 22 General Hospital in Camiers, France, where Penfound eventually succumbed to his wounds on Friday, December 13th 1918.

Constable William George Penfound is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery in Etaples, France.

Research Sources:

  • H. Grasett – Annual Report of the Chief Constable of the City of Toronto for the Year 1914, Page 66. Toronto: The Carswell Co Ltd City Printers, 1915.
  • Library and Archives Canada. Service File of No. 138659 William George Penfound.
  • Library and Archives Canada. Circumstances of Death Registers Card – No. 138659 William George Penfound.
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Casualty Details for No. 138659 William George Penfound.
  • Toronto Daily Star (1916), Page 5. “No.1 Platoon, “A” Co. 75th Battalion”.
  • London Free Press (1918, December 20th). “Oil Springs Boy Dies In France”.
  • Toronto Public Library. 1914 Toronto City Directory, Page 1267.
  • Toronto Police Military Veterans Association – MVA22 Tour of Remembrance Photos (Photo).