Menown, William
Corporal
No. 129419, ‘A’ Company, 72nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Killed in action on Thursday 1 March 1917 (aged 26)
Buried:
Villers Station Cemetery, France (Grave VI. D. 8)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Canadian Virtual War Memorial (CVWM)
Canadian First World War Book of Remembrance
BIOGRAPHY
In some records, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Debt of Honour Website, his surname is spelt Manown; in others Neown and in others McNown.
William Menown was born on 5 June 1890 in Portaferry and he was the youngest son of John and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Menown (nee McKeown) who lived in Church Street, Portaferry. They were married on 12 July 1880 in Ardquin Parish Church of Ireland Church. John Menown (aged 22) from Cloughey was a son of William Menown, a labourer. Lizzie McKeown (aged 24), a servant in Portaferry House, was a daughter of James McKeown, a labourer.
John Menown worked as an engine driver and he and Lizzie had at least five children:
Jane (born 1 November 1883 in Glastry)
Mary (May, born 11.30 pm 22 January 1888 in Portaferry)
Joseph (born 1.00 am 23 January 1888 in Portaferry)
William (born 5 June 1890 in Portaferry)
Sarah (born 17 February 1893 in Portaferry)
William Menown moved to Canada where he worked as a steam fitter before he enlisted in Vancouver, British Columbia on 11 August 1915. In his attestation papers it was noted that he was 5 feet 6½ inches tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark hair. It was also noted that his ‘teeth need fixing’. He sailed from Halifax on 23 April 1916 aboard the SS Empress of Britain and arrived in Liverpool on 5 May. He was posted overseas on 12 August 1916.
Corporal William Menown (No. 129419) served with the 72nd Battalion Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment) and he was 26 when he killed in action on 1 March 1917. He left all his property and effects to his wife Nellie.
Corporal William Menown was survived by his parents, brother, sister and wife Nellie who lived at 552 Burrard Street, Vancouver.
Mrs Nellie Menown re-married on 9 May 1918, becoming Mrs Nellie Murray.