MILITARY HISTORY
Private William Henry Marois – C 600435 — NRMA (World War II)
William Henry Marois was 19 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days old when, as a single man, he enrolled under the Militia Act; National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA) 1940, in Kingston Ontario on January 15, 1943. His NRMA Serial Number of Notice of Call was C-62974. William Henry stated that he was born at Hall’s Bridge, Ontario on September 22, 1923. He was 5′ 9″ tall, weighed 152 pounds, grey eyes and light brown hair; he gave his occupation as a farmer. William Henry indicated that he had no previous military experience and preferred the Army. William Henry’s next-of-kin was his mother Mrs. Bertha Levada Marois (Haines), living in Buckhorn, Ontario. On January 15, 1943 he was assigned the rank of Private; given Regimental Number C 612374 and was taken-on-strength to No 3A NRMA Clearing Depot (CD) at Kingston, Ontario and attached to 3A District Depot (DD) and posted to Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) Permanent Force (PF) Wing, Infantry Regular (R) Reinforcements (Reinf).
On February 2, 1943 Pte Marois ceased to be attached to 3A DD RCA (PF) Wing for re-attachment to the Canadian Fusiliers (Can Fus). February 3, 1943 he was transferred to the Can Fus at Vancouver British Columbia (BC) on attachment from No 3A NRMA CD, Kingston. After about 3½ months, on May 15, 1943 Fusilier (Fus) Marois ceased to be attached for all purposes and is struck-off-strength from No 3A NRMA CD on posting as Home Defence (HD). May 16, 1943 he was taken-on-strength with the 1st Bn Can Fus as a member of the HD at Nanaimo, BC from No 3A NRMA CD. June 24, 1943 Pte Marois was authorized to draw pay of $1.50 per diem. After just over 5 months, on December 1, 1943 he ceased to be HD on becoming a NRMA soldier in the Field. Then, over 7 months later Fus Marois was placed on duty (as a volunteer) to Kiska Island in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska USA, July 12, 1943 to January 4, 1944, still with the 1st Bn Can Fus. On January 9, 1944 he was granted 30 days Special Leave to February 7, 1944. April 10, 1944 Fus Marois was struck-off-strength from NRMA on being Attested into the General Service and allotted Active Service Number C 118597
Private William Henry Marois – C 118597 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War II)
William Henry Marois was 20 years 6 months and 23 days old when, as a single man, he was Attested into the Canadian Army in Vernon, British Columbia (BC) on April 15, 1944. His Regimental Number was C 118597. William Henry stated that he was born at Buckhorn, Ontario on September 22, 1923. He was 5′ 9″ tall, weighed 168 pounds, blue eyes and dark brown hair; he gave his occupation as a farmer. William Henry indicated that he had previous military experience with the NRMA from January 15 1943 to April 14, 1944. William Henry’s next-of-kin was his mother Mrs. Bertha Levada Marois, living in Buckhorn, Ontario. On April 15, 1944 Pte Marois, still with the 1st Bn Can Fus, had his Medical Examination done in Vernon BC; he had indicated that he had rheumatism pain in his left hip which is stiff in damp weather and was found fit for duty.
May 5, 1944 Fus Marois was granted Embarkation Leave from Vernon BC and Ration Allowance from Debert, Nova Scotia (NS). On May 15, 1944 he was attached to No 2 District Depot for all purposes except pay; then on May 18, 1944 he ceased to be attached to No 2 District Depot for all purposes except pay. He would have been processed through Lachine Québec and sent by rail to Debert, NS for embarkation at Halifax, NS. On May 25, 1944 Fus Marois was struck-off-strength from the Canadian Army (CA) Canada on embarkation from Halifax, NS for the United Kingdom (UK). May 26, 1944 he was taken-on-strength to the CA Overseas and on June 2, 1944 he disembark the UK. Fus Marois’ Unit was the 1st Battalion Canadian Fusiliers (1st Bn Can Fus) but he was assigned to the X4 List – Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s) [A&S High] on disembarkation. July 13, 1944 Fus Marois was struck-off-strength from the X4 List A&S High to the 1st Bn Can Fus.
July 22, 1944 Fus Marois embarked the UK for France as part of X4 List A&S High and disembarked France on July 23, 1944. July 25, 1944 he was struck-off-strength from X4 List A&S High to QOCH of C. On July 26, 1944 Pte Marois was taken-on-strength from X4 List (11th Bn) A&S High to the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada (QOCH of C). On August 29, 1944, a little over one month from joining his Unit, Pte Marois was killed in action fighting with the Allied Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France.
Private William Henry Marois was initially buried in South West France, close to where he died. The Canadian Message of his demise was dispatched to Mrs. Bertha Marois (his next-of-kin) October 7, 1944, The Royal Message was dispatched October 18, 1944. February 13, 1945 Pte Marois was disinterred and re-interred in the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery at Calvados, France. Plot reference: Plot XVII, Row F, Grave 4. A burial report was sent to his mother Mrs. Bertha Marois, April 13, 1946.
Pte Marois was awarded the following medals:
1939 – 45 Star;
France and Germany Star;
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Bar and
War Medal, 1939 – 45.
He was also awarded War Service Badge – Class “A”
William Henry Marois served for 1 year, 4 months and 10 days in Canada, 1 year, 1 months and 20 days in the United Kingdom, and 1 month, 6 days in France plus 9 days travel time for a total time of 1 year, 7 months and 2 weeks.
“Pte. Marois, William Henry Camerons of C” is inscribed in the BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE 1945 on page 378.
Private Marois’ Memorial Cross & Bar were sent to Mrs. Bertha Marois, Buckhorn, Ontario in 1944. His medals were sent to Mrs. Bertha Marois, March 1946.
Although not in his Military File, Pte Marois probably had been sending his mother $20.00 monthly on assignment.
An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:
The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?
PERSONAL HISTORY
WILLIAM “BILL” HENRY MAROIS
William Henry was born September 22, 1923 at Hall’s Bridge (Buckhorn), Ontario. William Henry enjoyed hunting and fishing, played hockey and softball, reads pulp fiction, smoked and enjoyed a drink. He completed Grade 7 and part of Grade 8 before going to work. His test scores indicated that he had an above average ability.
William Henry worked on farms for 5 years and was a trucker’s helper for 2 years. He had three $50.00 Bonds with the Canadian Bank of Commerce, Peterborough, Ontario. On January 15, 1943, William enlisted to serve his Country, age 19 years. Sadly on August 29, 1944, William was killed in action in France and is remembered with honour in the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in Calvados, France.
THE WILLIAM HENRY MAROIS FAMILY OF BUCKHORN
William Henry’s paternal grandparents are Louis Marois, a blacksmith, and Jane Robins. His maternal grandparents are Stephen Haines and Ethel Hicks.
William Henry’s parents, Henry Levi Marois born in 1889 and Bertha Levada Haines born in 1899. They were married on November 29, 1911 in Peterborough Ontario. Henry Levi, a labourer, and Bertha Levada lived in Buckhorn, Ontario. They had seven sons; Wilbert Charles, Lewis Hedley, Walter, William Henry, Ralph Milford, Donald Harold and George “Smokey” and three daughters; Mrs. Harvey Manley (Mabel Beatrice) , Mrs. George Samis (Mary) and Lena Marois. November 1944 Walter was in Italy serving with the Canadian Active Forces, Allied Armies Italy (AAI). Bertha passed away on November 18, 1960 and Levi died on January 19, 1966; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.