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5th Canadian 
Armoured Division

Lieutenant Colonel William Lister Sagar

From The Private Collection of My Maternal Great Grandfather
Lieutenant Colonel William Lister Sagar 
Served in both The Great War 1914-1918 & World War Two 1939-1945
 The Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME)​
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Lt.Col. William Lister Sagar

Maternal Great Grandfather

Regiment Number:

3034605

Conscripted:

April 2nd, 1918 - Age 23 yrs

Served:

WW1​

WW2

5th Canadian Armoured Division

Date of Birth:

January 2nd, 1895 Toronto, Ontario Canada

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W.L. Sagar Canadian Soldier of the First World War, 1914-1918

From Left to Right back row, William L. Sagar, Williamson, Parke (behind King)

Anderson, Moulton, King, Washington and Montour (sideview) - Working at ?

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Lt. William Lister Sagar with his mother Mary Sagar-Young at home in Toronto abt.1917

My Great Grandfather Lt.Col. William Lister George Clarence Sagar was born in Toronto, Ontario to Mrs. Elizabeth Mary Sagar (nee Speers) and Mr. William Lister Sagar on January 2nd, 1895. He resided at the family home located at 306 Jarvis St., Toronto, Ontario.

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On October 2nd, 1917 under the auspices of the Military Service Act (MSA), he underwent a medical examination in his hometown of Toronto, Ontario which cleared him for active military service for Canada in World War I.

 

Upon conscription into the military force via MSA regulations, he was charted as recruit number 3034605 serving with the distinguished Central Ontario Regiment's First Depot Battalion stationed in Toronto itself.

 

His civilian life had been dedicated to academic pursuits as a student prior to his service enlistment while also gaining four crucial years' experience within the Canadian Officer Training Corps (COTC). He professed faith as a follower of Presbyterianism during personal documentation proceedings following registration into active duty.

  

Barely six months later on May 1st,1918 we find records reflecting significant progression; young Mr.Sagar successfully transitions into an esteemed Commissioned Officer associated with Engineering Training Depot based out Saint Jean’s Quebec.He assumed rank as Lieutenant holding steadfast his Presbyterian faith throughout this formative journey.

 

Indeed,the updated occupation reflects correspondent changes too listing "Civil Engineer" amplifying previous expertise obtained via association with Canadian Engineers along with C.O.T.C positioned within University Of Toronto premises indicating dynamic career elevation acquired competently by then Lieutenant Mr.Sager

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Lieutenant Colonel William Lister Sagar 
World War Two 1939-1945
W.L.Sagar Officers Mess

Lt. Col. W.L. Sagar Officers Mess

Friday April 24, 1942 ready for inspection of the

5th Canadian Division and its attached armoured corps troops,

then to be presented to their Majesties The King and Queen

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Officers of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division workshop 
Camp Borden September 1941
Lt. Col. William Lister Sagar front row centre.
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If you wish to start your own search you may find these sites helpful.

 

Family Search: https://www.familysearch.org/en/

Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/

Ellis Island: https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/

Ship manifest site: https://www.gjenvick.com/

CWGC: https://www.cwgc.org/ 

ABMC: https://www.abmc.gov/

In Flanders Fields Museum: https://www.inflandersfields.be/en

 

For Jewish history, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum is a good place to start (NY), as is Yad Vashem (Jerusalem) 

 

USHMM: https://www.ushmm.org/

Yad Vashem: https://www.yadvashem.org/Hollandsche 

Arolsen Archives; https://arolsen-archives.org/en/

 

The Royal Archives (London); mostly British or Commonwealth focused,

and the researchers are quite helpful if you submit queries. 

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Let us know if you have any questions and good luck!

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