Cleaver, William Frederick

William Cleaver was born on May 24, 1877 in Murston, England. Not much is known about his childhood years. As a young man, he married his wife Lucy, and the couple resided on the Isle of Sheppy in England. They had two daughters, Florence and Rose. The Cleaver family immigrated to Canada and made their home in Lethbridge, Alberta, where William worked as a laborer. On July 23, 1915, William Cleaver enlisted with the 13th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Pte Cleaver arrived in England on November 23, 1915 and was immediately taken on strength by the 7th Field Ambulance Army Medical Corps. He proceeded to France for service on February 12, 1916. Pte Cleaver served with the 7th Field Ambulance at the frontlines for 16 months, transporting casualties to various field hospitals. He was twice treated for exposure to gas during this time. In the spring of 1917, tragedy struck the Cleaver family when Lucy passed away suddenly, and Pte Cleaver received a 10 week compassionate furlough home to Canada to be with his family. While in Canada, Pte Cleaver’s health began to deteriorate as a result of the gas exposure he had suffered just months earlier. On August 28, 1917, Pte Cleaver was medically discharged as it was decided that his poor health had rendered him unfit for service. He returned to his home in Lethbridge, where he lived with his daughter, Florence. William continued to struggle with lung ailments and other related complications until his untimely passing on November 23, 1926. He was laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Lethbridge. William Cleaver was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his wartime service