William Patrick Logie Williams was born in Sarnia on March 17, 1920, the son of Charles H. Williams and Zillah Williams, of East Talfourd Street, Sarnia. Father Charles Williams was a veteran of World War I, with the rank of sergeant. William (Pat) had two brothers, Clarence and Edward Albert. Brother Edward would also serve during the war, becoming a Corporal with the Canadian Army in England. William also had three sisters: Mrs. James Logan of Port Huron; and Mrs. Alfred Hutchinson and Mrs. James Hamilton both of Sarnia. William was educated in Sarnia and, prior to enlisting, was employed at the Sarnia elevator, as a labourer.
William (“Pat”) enlisted in the Canadian Army in October 1940, undergoing training with the Kent Regiment. On March 8, 1941, Pat married Maxine Thelma McGill of London, Ontario, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. McGill of 311 George Street, Sarnia in the manse of Paterson Memorial Church. At the ceremony, Miss Edna Allen of Sarnia served as bridesmaid and Private Donald Cranmer of the Kent Regiment R.C.I. of London served as the best man. After the ceremony, a reception and dinner was held at the home of the bride’s parents on George Street. The young couple took up residence in London where Private Williams was stationed.
After training at various centres, in late November of 1941, Corporal Pat Williams would arrive in England with a detachment of soldiers from Western Ontario. Sometime in 1942, Patrick took a Commando course while overseas. Later, he returned to Canada and was an instructor at an army camp in British Columbia. In April 1943, Patrick left for overseas again. His wife, Maxine, would receive word of her husband’s safe arrival overseas in late May. In June of 1943, while overseas, William “Pat” learned that his father Charles, a Great War veteran, had passed away.
Patrick arrived in Italy, a corporal with the Royal Canadian Regiment in September 1943. On December 19, 1943, while fighting in the Italian Campaign, Patrick Williams was wounded by shrapnel and was hospitalized for three weeks. After that, he was given a brief furlough, and then went back into action according to information in letters he sent home. On May 17, 1944, Patrick Williams would lose his life during fighting in Italy. In late May, mother Zillah Williams in Sarnia would receive information from the casualty officer at Ottawa that her son, Lance Corporal William Patrick Logie Williams was reported as overseas casualty, killed in action on May 17, in the field (Italy). Twenty-four year old William Patrick Logie Williams is buried in Cassino War Cemetery, Italy, Grave V.A.10.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, N, 2C, 2D