William Kennedy

William Costello Kennedy (Bill) was born on November 28, 1925. He was the fifth of eight children. His older brother Paul enlisted in the R.A.F. Transport Command. Bill grew up in St. Claire's Parish, Toronto. He attended St. Claire's school and completed grade 10 at Western Technical at the age of 16. Bill played hockey for the Civil Service team in the Toronto Hockey League. He also played baseball.

After completing his grade 10 Bill accepted a job with the Ontario Department of Health as an office boy. Four months later he was an assistant statistician. While working, Bill attended night school studying English, Mathematics and Typing. Bill enlisted on March 4, 1944. He hoped to join the medical corps. His "M" scores indicated a very high superior army learning ability and with maximum pulhems profile he was allocated to the Infantry. He was a private with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and later was with the 48th Highlanders. Bill's military training took place in Brantford, Woodstock (March to May 1944) and Calgary (June 1944), His pay was $1.40 per diem.

Bill was granted 19 days of private leave (unpaid) in November 1944 prior to being deployed on the 18th of December 1944. Bill arrived in the UK on December 27, 1944 and reported for duty at 0800 hours on December 28, 1944. His rate of pay increased to $1.50 per diem after his deployment. Bill spent 6 months overseas. He departed the UK and arrived in NWE (North West Europe) on February 12, 1945. Records show that Bill was active with either RHLI or the 48th Highlanders in June 1945 in NWE. This means he was present during the Liberation of the Netherlands.

Bill was awarded the France and Germany Star - Canadian Volunteer and the Service Medal & Clasp for his 26 months of service. Twenty months in Canada, 6 months overseas (UK, Belgium, Holland and Germany) and 6 months Industrial Leave.

Bill was admitted to Barriefield Medical Hospital on September 21, 1945. He was discharged from the hospital on October 3, 1945. He was then granted an unpaid leave from October 29 to April 28, 1945. It is believed he returned to Canada for the above period of time, and returned to working with the Ontario Department of Health as an assistant technician. Bill was recalled from Industrial leave on April 28, 1945. He was discharged on April 30, 1945.

After his discharge Bill returned to working at his old job. He later became certified as an X-ray technician. He married Catherine Loretta Spratt on April 7, 1950. He was father to 3 children, Karen born 1958, Michael born 1959 and William born 1962.

Aside from his daily work Bill was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Toronto Council1388. He was the Grand Knight at the time of his death in 1967. Catherine was widowed with 3 children ages 8, 7 and 5. Catherine never remarried and lived to the age of 96. The three children reside in Uxbridge and Whitby today. (July 1, 2025)

Written by Michael Kennedy

We Will Remember Them