Military service
Burial/memorial information
He first served with the 1st Battalion, North Shore (NB) Regiment, service number G-22204, from 11 June 1940 to 5 August 1940 in Campbellton, New Brunswick, when he was released from the army.
He served in Québec, in New Brunswick, in Newfoundland with Force W and in Hong Kong with Force C. He had 502 days of service, including 59 overseas. His name was also engraved on the headstone located on the family lot in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-1945, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp.
Digital gallery of Rifleman William Joseph McGrath
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Memorial
Rifleman WILLIAM JOSEPH MCGRATH is one of 30 members of the Royal Rifles of Canada, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps who are commemorated on this panel of the Sai Wan Memorial. He was one of 290 Canadian soldiers killed during the defense of Hong Kong, from December 8th to December 25th, 1941. -
Inscription
Dedicatory inscription of the SAI WAN MEMORIAL. This memorial bears the names of more than 2,000 Commonwealth servicemen, including 228 Canadians. -
Newspaper clipping
Rifleman WILLIAM JOSEPH MCGRATH was reported Killed in Action in the Canadian Army's 242nd overseas casualty list of the war published in the Globe and Mail on January 8, 1943. -
Canada and the Defence of Hong Kong.
Source: Veterans Affairs Canada. -
Canada and the Defence of Hong Kong.
Source: Veterans Affairs Canada. -
Newspaper Clipping
Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Rifleman William Joseph McGrath
Digital gallery of
Rifleman William Joseph McGrath
Digital gallery of
Rifleman William Joseph McGrath
Digital gallery of
Rifleman William Joseph McGrath
Digital gallery of
Rifleman William Joseph McGrath
Digital gallery of
Rifleman William Joseph McGrath
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 38 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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