NOK: Mr. John. A. Black (Father) and Mrs. Annie Black (Mother) 1st Ave, Toronto, ON

Excerpt on Sgt Wilfred H. Black, MM, sourced from Niagara Historical Society’s 1923 book ”WHOSE DEBTORS WE ARE”, by Catherine Creed: “Wilfred Black is the oldest son of Mr. John Black, who was for many years the Manager of the Canning Factory. He was still a schoolboy when the War broke out. He enlisted in Toronto on January 12, 1916, with the 134th Battalion, 48th Highlanders, and went overseas on August 9th, 1916. On October 10th, he went to France and joined the 15th Canadian Infantry serving continually with that until discharged in Toronto, May 10th, 1919. He was wounded at Arras in 1918, and was awarded the Military Medal after the Battle of Amiens.”

From his service records, during his service overseas, Sgt Black was first promoted to the rank of Corporal, from the rank of Private, on May 16, 1917. Though he then reverts back to the rank of Private on April 1, 1918, at his own request which was approved. From August 30, 1918 to October 10, 1918 he is appointed and promoted on various dates to the ranks of, in order as recorded, Lance Corporal, Corporal, Acting Lance Sergeant (Paid), and Lance Sergeant. On February 24, 1919, he is promoted to the final rank of Sergeant, which he held until his demobilization later that year.