According to McGill University records, the first Canadian dentists to go overseas in WW1 were with No. 3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill), which was organized in McGill in early 1915. A plaque in memory of three graduates who died on active service in WW1 is on the main floor of the Strathcona Building on the McGill campus, 3640 rue University.
William John McLean was born in Smith Falls, Ontario in 1890, the son of David and Isabella McLean. He was married to Marguerite McLean. He graduated with a DDS degree from McGill in 1914. He attested in 1916, listing his occupation as dental surgeon. He was killed in action at Vimy Ridge on 9 April 1917 and is buried in Ecoivres Cemetery in France.
William Boyce was born in July 1886, the son of Thomas and Esther Boyce. He enlisted in May 1917 and sailed to England in June 1918, where he was posted with the Canadian Army Dental Corps. He served in Bramshott and Seaford. He fell ill in November 1918 and died of influenza and pneumonia on 8 November 1918. His body was repatriated to Canada and buried at Rawdon (now Mid Laurentian) United Church Cemetery.
Clarence Fredrick Hewitt was born in 1892, the son of Edward and Margaret Hewitt. He attested in October 1916, and served with the Canadian Army Dental Corps in Montreal. He died of typhoid fever on 16 March 1917 at the Royal Victoria Hospital. He is buried at Notre Dames des Neige Cemetery in Montreal.
Great War 100 Reads 