William Edward Saddington of London, England and Banff, Alberta, Canada 1870-1950

Just a quick snapshot of a life.

William Edward Saddington was born in Marylebone, London on 4 March 1870, the second of 4 known sons of George Saddington and Harriett Blond (nee Fear). In 1881, he was a scholar, living with his parents and siblings in Kensington, London.

However, in the late 1880s, he and his brother, Arthur Nathaniel, emigrated to Canada, specifically to Banff, Alberta. According to the book 'Pioneer Families of Southern Alberta', William arrived in Banff in 1888.

However, by 1901, he was back in England for a short time, having travelled home via South Africa and the Boer War. In the 1901 census for Great Britain, William and his father, George, are visiting William's aunt, Emma Fear, in St Albans, Hertfordshire. His occupation is given as 'Trooper - Strathcona Horse'. This is a shortened title for Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians).

Lord Strathcona's Horse had been the Third Contingent of Canadian forces to sail for South Africa, leaving Halifax on 11 March 1900 on the SS Monterey, and arriving in Cape Town on 11 April 1900. William was in "B Squadron".

The 1901 census for Canada took place on 31 March 1901, the same day as the census for Great Britain. Somehow, William managed the amazing feat of being on both sides of the Atlantic at the same time. As you will see from this transcription, William was also lodging with his brother, Arthur, in the home of George M Fear, who was probably an uncle or cousin on his mother's side.

In 1903, again according to 'Pioneer Families of Alberta', William married Emily Mary Burton in Ottawa, Ontario, and eventually became the father of three children, George, Marion and Elsie.

However, William's military days were not over yet. With World War One well under way, on 24 March 1916, William signed up for the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force. His Attestation Form can be seen at the head of this post and can be accessed via the Soldiers of the First World War section of Library and Archives Canada. The form states that he fought in South Africa with the Strathcona Horse.

We know that William came home safely, as 'Pioneer Families of Alberta' states that he died in Banff in 1950, his wife, Emily, having predeceased him by two years. But does anybody know any more about William Edward Saddington? Any information gratefully received.