Lance Corporal William Snoddy 10th Battalion Canadian Infantry

This week Carrickfergus remembers William John Snoddy - Lance Corporal Canadian Infantry - Died of wounds 11th April 1917 aged 24.  

NAME; Snoddy, William John

RANK; Lance Corporal

SERV. NO; 35546

UNIT/SERVICE; 10th Battalion

 REGIMENT; Canadian Infantry

BORN; Carrickfergus in 1893

LIVED; 105th Street, Edmonton, Alberta – Canada

ENLISTED; Canada 1914

FATE; Died of wounds 11^th April 1917 aged 24

CEMETERY; Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, Calais – France - II. E. 15

CHURCH;

MEMORIAL;

REMARKS; William was born in Davy's Street, Carrickfergus in 1893 the son of William Snoddy (Snr)and grew up around the town.  He left Ireland in 1912 and travelled to Canada where he engaged in railway work until the outbreak of the war.  In late 1914 he enlisted with the Army Service Corps and on being transferred to the 1^st Canadian Division was drafted to England.  He served with distinction in France and Flanders arriving there initially in 1915, he served gallantly during the Somme campaign of 1916.  He returned home just 2 months before his death for a brief holiday which would have been a time of mingled joy and sorrow as he celebrated his marriage to his Canadian Bride Rebecca Snoddy and a few days later he the duty of attending the funeral of his younger brother who had died of a brief illness.  It is believed William was injured during the Battle of Arras in early April 1917, he was moved to a casualty clearing station were he subsequently died of his wounds.  He is buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery near Calais. 

The following entry appeared in the local paper on 20^th April 1917 “Lance Corporal Snoddy was one of the heroes of the Great Push and before entering it he took the precaution of putting his affairs in order.  His foresight was sadly justified, for the sacrifice which he was prepared to give was required of him.  With his young bride and his parents much sympathy is felt in their great loss”