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Wartime Heritage
ASSOCIATION
Remembering World War II
William Joseph McGrath
Rifleman
E/30283
Royal Rifles of Canada, R.C.I.C.
June 23, 1921
McGrath's Cove, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia
June 11, 1940 (August 10, 1940)
Campbellton, NB (Matapédia, Bonaventure, Quebec)
19
5 feet, 6½ inches
Clear
Blue
Blonde
Single
Fisherman
Roman Catholic
Clara Mae McGrath (Mother) McGrath's Cove, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia
December 23, 1941
21
Sai Wan Memorial, Hong Kong, China
Column 25
Commemorated on Page 38 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance
Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on January 30
William Joseph McGrath was the son of William Vincent McGrath (1890-1964) and Clara Mae (Kirk)
McGrath (1893-1972), of McGrath's Cove, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia.
William McGrath 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
discharged on medical grounds.
He then re-enlisted in Québec with the Royal Rifles of Canada, and served in Canada, in
Newfoundland with Force W and in Hong Kong with Force C. He was killed in action during the
defence of Hong Kong on December 23, 1941.
107 Canadian soldiers, most of whom were killed or died
of wounds during the defence of Hong Kong, which took
place from December 8th to December 25th, 1941 have
no known graves. There are 107 grave markers
inscribed “A Soldier of the 1939-1945” that contain
unidentified remains. The names of the 107 Canadians
are listed on the Sai Wan Memorial.
William Joseph McGrath
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