William (Bill) Cameron Hunt McRAE’s military service was forgotten.

Bill was born on May 4, 1892, in Munlochy, Scotland.

On August 10, 1914, he enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery, 79 Brigade, “A” Battery, where he served on the battle fields of France.  The horse-drawn “A” Battery was responsible for deploying medium calibre guns and howitzer artillery close to the front lines. 

On January 28, 1918, his brother, 2nd Lt Ronald McRAE, Royal Air Force, was killed during a flight training accident.

On December 6, 1920, Bill was awarded the 1914-15 Bronze Star, the British War medal and Victory medal. 

He married Mildred Eva Harris, whose brother was Walter Edward Harris, a veteran of WW2 who was elected to the House of Commons in 1940 and Minister of FInance in 1950. Mildred died in 1944.

After his release from service, Bill lived on the TAYLOR farm in Mt. Lehman.  Grant TAYLOR enjoyed the stories Bill told about the hardships endured during the war, specifically about life in the front-line trenches. “When in it rained, you couldn’t get off horse for a week at a time.  The mud would be up to the belly of the horse.”

William McRAE died on November 18, 1972 (80) and buried at the Mount Lehman Cemetery.