Regimental Sergeant Major, 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders)
1914-1915

William Hay Grant was born Wawanesh Huron County ON 1869 and was employed as a contractor prewar.

He was an original Highlander (Recruit Number 228) and was sworn into “E” Company just after the Regiment was gazetted. In 1899 he was one of 20 Highlanders accepted for service in the South African War with the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.

He served in South Africa in the British Army was awarded MVO 4th Class in 1906 as a Colour Sgt with the Gordon Highlanders

After 14 months he returned to the Highlanders and in 1906 Colour Sergeant Grant went with Captain Osborne and a group of Highlanders went to Scotland to train with the Gordon Highlanders. Prior to returning home he along with the Commanding Officer (LCol DA Robertson (were made Members of the Royal Victorian. Order (MVO) by King George V.

Col Sgt Grant was an original member of 15th Battalion, 48th Highlanders, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He arrived in Europe as and was serving Company Sergeant Major (CSM) No 2 Company on 22/23 -Apr – 1915 when the Battalion was decimated following gas attacks at Gravenstafel Ridge during the Battle of St Julien. He was badly wounded in the leg and evacuated o Canada on 2 May 1915. Back in Canada was commissioned as an office in January 1918 and ended the war as a Major.