William McCullagh

Police Constable 47, Toronto Police Force | Corporal, 4th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles

William McCullagh was born on the 29th of November 1885, in County Armagh, Ireland. He served for five years in the Royal Irish Constabulary where he was stationed in County Derry, prior to emigrating to Canada. On September 16th 1912, McCullagh was sworn in as Police Constable No. 47. McCullagh walked the beat out of No. 6 Police Station (in the Queen St W and Cowan Ave area). He was single, and lived at 19 Golden Avenue with his brother Alex.

On August 15th 1915, Constable McCullagh enlisted in Toronto’s 83rd Battalion (Queen’s Own Rifles), CEF. He sailed to England on the SS Olympic for further training. On June 6th 1916, McCullagh landed in France, transferring to the 4th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles, where he proceeded to the front lines. On Saturday, September 16th 1916, McCullagh was reported missing in action during the Battle of Courcelette, and presumed dead. McCullagh’ was later presumed dead, and when his body was discovered. McCullagh’s remains were later discovered, and he was only officially reported killed in action nine months after his death.

Constable William McCullagh lies buried at Courcelette British Cemetery in France.

Research Sources

  • H. Grasett – Annual Report of the Chief Constable of the City of Toronto for the Year 1914, Page 56. Toronto: The Carswell Co Ltd City Printers, 1915.
  • Library and Archives Canada. Service File of No. 171255 William McCullagh.
  • Library and Archives Canada. Circumstances of Death Registers Card – No. 171255 William McCullagh.
  • Library and Archives Canada. War Diaries  of the First World War –  4th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles, 1915/07/30 – 1918/02/28.
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Casualty Details for 171255 William McCullagh.
  • The Toronto Telegram (1916, October). “Acting Corp. W. McCullagh”.
  • The Toronto Telegram (1916, June). “Former Policeman Dead.
  • The Toronto Daily Star (1917, June 14th), Page 5. “Now Presumed Dead”.
  • The Globe [Toronto] (1917, June 15th), Page 9. “Toronto’s Honor Roll”.