William Charles Victor Fowler

A Private with the 27th Battalion, William died on 10th of April 1917 at the age of 25. 

William was born at Oulton on 16 December 1891, a son of Charles Robert and Bessie Fowler. In 1901 his family lived at Clarence Cottage, Commodore Road, Oulton Broad. Later his family lived at Bridge Road before moving to Plevna Cottage, Commodore Road, Oulton Broad.

William moved to Canada in 1910 intending to live at Edmonton and work as a joiner. In 1914 he married Hannah Mildred Storey at Edmonton. By February 1916 they were living at 8205, 109 Street, Edmonton South, and William was a carpenter and wheelwright. Later Hannah lived at Ivy Cottage, Potter Heigham, Norfolk. 

William attested for the Canadian Army at Edmonton South, Alberta, on 1 February 1916, using the name William Victor Fowler. Initially he served with the 151st Battalion. William embarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 3 October 1916 and arrived at Liverpool on 13 October. He was then transferred to the 11th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe. On 30 November he was transferred to the 27th Battalion and he arrived in France on 1 December 1916 to join the battalion. 

On 9 April 1917 the 27th Battalion took part in the Canadian attack on Vimy Ridge. The battalion was led into the battle by Bandsman Smith who played his piccolo. During the battel the battalion capture 10 German guns and captured 300 prisoners, but the battalion suffered fairly low numbers of casualties. William was killed in action at Vimy Ridge. 

William’s name appears on Saint Margaret's War Memorial.