William McInerny - Lest We Forget

William McInerny was born January 1, 1880 at Hampton, New Brunswick. By 1914 his father, F.J. McInerny lived at St. John, N.B. William McInerny worked as a railway conductor with the Canadian Pacific Railroad out of Revelstoke. His name appears on the 1914 Voters List as eligible to vote for School Trustee which means that he lived outside the city limits.

William McInerny was one of 25 men from Revelstoke to join the Second Contingent of volunteers for the war effort.  He signed his enlistment papers on November 9, 1914 at Victoria. His regimental number was 77535. He was 34 years old, single, 5’ 6” tall with a ruddy complexion, dark hair and grey eyes. His religious affiliation was Anglican. He had 3 years of military experience with the 102nd Rocky Mountain Rangers. He appears in a photograph of the Rocky Mountain Rangers taken outside of the drill hall in 1906 as well as in numerous local sports photographs. 

In March of 1915 he sent a letter to Allan McDonald (who also perished in the war) which was printed in the local newspaper. In it, he indicated that he had arrived safe and sound in Liverpool and noted that there were many wounded men in England, with more coming in all the time. He said, “The first Canadians are there now and got pretty badly chewed up. Remember me to Dan and the folks and all the rest of the boys in Revelstoke and write soon and tell me all the news. Yours, Wm. McInerny.”

William was reported wounded in May of 1915, perhaps at Festubert. William McInerny died on December 28, 1915, four days before his 36th birthday. At the time of his death he was a Private in the 15th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario) Regiment. He is buried at La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

The Review of January 13, 1916 carried this item: “Wm. McInerny Killed in Action. William McInerny of the 15th battalion, “killed in action” is announced through the casualty lists. To many friends in Revelstoke this news will be received with genuine regret. “Billie” McInerny was a resident of this city for many years being employed on the CPR.

His name is inscribed on the Courthouse and Cenotaph plaques as well as the YMCA Honor Roll.

World War I recruits in front of Revelstoke Drill Hall, circa 1914. William McInerny is in the second row, 2nd from the left. P53RMA