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Biography
William Whiles Murton
William Whiles Murton (A.3989) was born October 3, 1914, in St Marys, Perth County, Ontario, to parents George and Sarah Ellen (Whiles) Murton. Both his parents were British immigrants. William’s mother passed away when he was young and his father was remarried to his stepmother, Mary (Whyfin) Murton.
William received his education at Hamlet Public School in Stratford. Shortly after his graduation, his family moved to London, where he attended the London Technical School. Following his graduation, he was employed by a London bowling alley, where he worked for a couple of years.
In 1937, William married Margaret “Greta” Pallister (1913—1966) of Stratford, Ontario and in 1939 they had their first and only child, Ellen Murton. He worked as a labourer until his enlistment to the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) on May 23, 1940, in London, Ontario. On January 20, 1941, Pte Murton received his driver first class (1/c) license, and in March 1941, he sailed overseas to the UK. While William was overseas, by 1942, Greta and Ellen relocated to 162 Norfolk in Stratford where Ellen would grow up.
From January 1, 1945, Private Murton was eligible to drive mechanically propelled vehicles of groups I, III, IV, and VI for one year. He was stationed with the No.13 Canadian General Hospital days later, where he drove the ambulances.
In September 1945, Private Murton sailed on the SS New Amsterdam from England, disembarking in Halifax, then travelled by train to Manning Depot No.1 in London, Ontario. From there, he was discharged upon demobilization to return to civil life.
After his service, William returned his family in Stratford. He remained a member of the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League, later renamed the Royal Canadian Legion, with the Camp Borden Branch then later Stratford Branch No.8. He began working with the CNR in Stratford, later working at Beckner’s Esso Service until his retirement in 1978.
William passed on April 22, 1983, at the age of 68, and was buried at Avondale Cemetery in Stratford. A tree was planted in Living Memorial in his honour.
Medals:
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-1945