Upon enlistment in 1941, just after getting his degree as a chemical engineer, he travelled to Niagara Falls to work at Welland Chemical Works explosive plant. His address while there was 1168, 3rd ave. It only lasted a month, so he soon departed to London England as a part of the unit RCEME as a second lieutenant. A guess as to why he enlisted was to do his part for his country and because he probably figured he would come out of this as a chemical engineer. He was also a bachelor and they were in demand of people who had not much family since they had less to live for.  They could spend lots of time away from home for his training and could be paid less so as to not kill the sole income of a household. We can find comfort in the fact that he was not one of those unfortunate people. 

The second time that he was sent to do training was in 1942 this time for his O.M.E. and after, his B vehicle training. This lasted around 6 months and after that he was off to London. On 3-7-42 his RCOC team sent an SOS from their location in London and again in 6-7-42 from Barriefield, near London. That was the end of that expedition and the next place William was sent to was named Coru in the UK. They had 4 SOS alerts issued on this trip. Twice on November 24 1942 but it did not happen again until January 4th and 5th of 1943. On the 15th of June they sent one last one before they disembarked to Italy on July 10th. He was awarded many different medals including the Canadian Volunteer Service medal and clasp, a Defence medal, a War medal, an Italy Star, and finally, just before his death, he was awarded with the 1939-45 Star. 

William Hague Harrington died on September 13th 1944 in Italy at 26 years old. There weren't very many details surrounding his death other than that he was killed in action. William died serving as a lieutenant, and had 5 different war medals and awards. He was buried in Gradara British Empire war cemetery in Gradara, Italy. His exact grave location inside the cemetery is on plot 1, row F, grave 56. There are no photos of his grave, though it is known that his grave is inscribed with his name, and has a personal inscription which reads, “Their name liveth for evermore”. He is also commemorated in Dominion Chalmers United Church, in Ottawa on a plaque which showcases all the names of the men who served and died in the second world war and were a part of the congregation at the church. William’s father was sent a letter to be notified of his only son's death, though Harrington had two sisters who would also mourn this loss. 

Après de Queen’s, William avait déménagé d' Ottawa à Niagara Falls. Avant la guerre, William était ingénieur chimiste et il a tellement aimé. William Harrington est enrôlé en guerre le 28 novembre 1941, alors qu'il a 23 ans. Pendant la guerre, William faisait partie de l'unité du RCEME et était classé sous-lieutenant, alors qu'il n'avait qu'une vingtaine d'années. Il a postulé au No. 2 District Depot C.A. (A) R.C.O.C. Il s'est qualifié comme O.M.E 4th Class. Il s'entraîne à Kingston et à Brockville en vue de la guerre et n'a été embarqué que le 28 octobre 1942, à l'âge de 25 ans. Il a servi jusqu'en 1944, date à laquelle il est décédé au combat. 

Works Cited

William Hague Harrington The Canadian Virtual War Memorial - Veterans Affairs Canada, https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2077744?William%20Hague%20Harrington . Accessed 1 November 2023.

“Second World War Service Files – War Dead, 1939 to 1947.” Collection Search,  http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=kia&id=42154&lang=eng. Accessed 26 October 2023.

'If we do preserve it, we honour them, and when we in our turn pass on, we will know that behind us lives a generation of free men and of free women to be the keepers of this great heritage of ours - Canada.'

- Ian A. McPhee, former student at GCI, 1937.