Private William Henry Oatway

1. Private, 72nd Battalion, Infantry (Army).
2. Private, 72nd Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1915-11-01 to 1917-04-09

CVWM link

Son of William and Louisa Oatway, of 32, Shadwell Rd., Bishopston, Bristol.

He was in Company A of the Seaforth Highlanders Regiment. According to Burial Records File # 649-0-1706, he was killed during the attack southeast of Souchez. First listed as Missing then KIA. He was 170 lbs. with a dark complexion, brown eyes, black hair, and in good health. He had a medical exam Sep 29, 1915, in Vancouver, but did not Sign Up until Nov 1, then was Taken On Service (TOS) on Dec 14, 1915. The Seaforth Highlanders Regiment was officially known as the 72nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Brigade. At sometime he was assigned to "A" Company, and they trained heavily until April 1916. (there is a photo of him with "A" Company at the present day Seaforth Highlander's Museum) The Regiment left Vancouver on April 16, 1916, aboard a train trip across Canada, stopping at times for route marches and an official parade in Ottawa for the Duke of Connaught. At Halifax, they embarked on April 26 aboard the "Empress of Britain" troop ship, and arrived in Liverpool, England on May 4. After training at Bramshott, more parades, and being an Honour Guard for the King, the Regiment embarked for France on Aug 8, 1916. (there is a detailed official history book of the 72nd Battalion published in 1920 and freely available Online) He took a Grenade Course on Aug 27, and a Course for Officers and NCOs on Dec 12, but was ranked as a Private. He was involved in Trench Raids, and battles like The Somme.

History of the 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (1920.) WH Oatway is mentioned on page 471 in the 72nd Battalion Nominal Roll.

Details of death from Ancestry.com which includes a digitized image of the casualty form from the "Canada, War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty), 1914-1948” database