William Bogle was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland on 28th August 1873. His mother was Jane Bogle (nee Mahon), his father was Robert Bogle. They had married in 1868, in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. William’s family tree is shown on Ancestry. He had two sisters, Rebecca born in 1865 and Elizabeth Jane born in 1869. The Ireland Census 1901 accessible on Ancestry.co.uk tells us that Rebecca married Charles Gourley and they are shown to be living at Kilcroagh, Castlederg, Tyrone with two children and Robert Bogle (her father) age 70 shown as Father in Law. The Colhoun Family Tree also on Ancestry shows that the other sister Elizabeth Jane married Joseph Dougherty a widower. They had five children by 1911, Louisa Jane, 17, Robert, 16, Ellen 15, William James, 11, Nora Reid, 10.
William Bogle was a career soldier. He enlisted for 12 years service with The 4th Inniskilling Dragoon Regiment on 14th February 1891, he was a cabinet maker by trade . His Next of kin was listed as Jane Bogle (Mother) of 2 Lower Road, Londonderry. William’s Regimental number was C – 433 – B. He was transferred to The 6th Dragoons Regiment in November 1899. He served in India between September 1894 and January 1899 and in South Africa between January 1900 and August 1902. He was awarded the South African Queen’s medal with Clasps, and The King’s Medal with clasps.
After leaving The Dragoons in 1903 having completed 12 years service, William met his wife Elizabeth Downie. They married in Londonderry. She was related to the Coulhoun family. The couple emigrated to Canada. I contacted the owner of the Colhoun Family Tree on Ancestry.co.uk, and the following information was supplied by her.
William Bogle aged 30 arrived at Quebec on the ship ‘Athenia’ on the 9th May 1906 . His nationality was recorded as Irish. Elizabeth followed 4 months later. Lizzie Bogle arrived at Quebec aged 28 on the 28th Sept 1906 on the ship ‘Canada’. Her Nationality was recorded as Irish.
“William and Elizabeth had moved to Canada I believe because she had relatives on her fathers side over there. I believe they may have lived at a place called Swilly Farm, Ericksdale, Manitoba. as Samuel Couloun had emigrated over there with his son Ernest and we are led to believe that they lived with William and Elizabeth. We do know that Samuel went back to Ireland, leaving Ernest to live with his aunt and uncle. I do not believe there were any children from this relationship”.
William enlisted in Winnipeg Manitoba into the 183rd Battalion on 8th February 1916 and was later transferred to 1st Battalion Canadian Labour Corps, his regimental number was 871099. He gave his trade as Carpenter and had a distinguishing mark of a Tattoo depicting a female head on his left forearm which was valued as £3 in 1904.
He gave his address as 466 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba and his next of kin as Mrs Lizzie Bogle. He gave his date of birth as 26th August 1877 which made him appear to be 4 years younger than he actually was, bearing in mind that he was actually 43 years of age.
After training in Canada, William sailed for England from Halifax on S.S.Missanabie and the second part of the journey was on the S.S.Saxonia.
On arrival in England he was posted to Whitley Army Camp on the 13th October 1916 and was awarded the position of Acting Lance Corporal on the 23rd October 1916 but he reverted to ranks at his own request on the 16th November 1916.
William was to remain at Whitley Camp until the 16th November 1916 when he was transferred to Seaford Army Camp then proceeded overseas on the 8th February 1917 where he remained until the 20th April 1918. On his return to the U.K. he was posted to Inchcliffe, Liverpool and eventually to Kinmel Park Army Camp for repatriation on the 22nd January 1919.
(From Library of Canada, Attestation Papers for Private 871099 William Bogle).
Kinmel Park Camp was a segregation camp used to house Canadian Soldiers awaiting repatriation to Canada after the end of WW1. Unfortunately the conditions at that time were extremely harsh with a lack of every kind of commodity, the camp was overcrowded and the services were poor, there were shortages of clothing, food and blankets. As a result of this situation, a vast number of servicemen and women became ill and many succumbed to the Influenza Epidemic or complications associated with this infection.
Unfortunately William contracted Influenza and died on 10th February 1919 at 9th General Hospital.
William is buried in St. Margaret’s Cemetery, Bodelwyddan.
