Lieutenant Colonel William John Rooney VD was born on 27 January 1881.

Rooney joined the stock brokerage firm of Pellatt and Pellat at 14 and rose through the ranks to become a partner. He served as one-time secretary to Sir Henry Pellatt.

Rooney died on 5 March 1941, at the age of 60. He is buried in Mt Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Plot 12, Lot 4.

Service Record

• April 21, 1897 – Enlisted in Brass Band, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
• September 17, 1902 – Transferred to “H” Company as a rifleman
• March 22, 1903 – Appointed Assistant Orderly Room Clerk with the rank of Corporal
• February 17, 1904 – Promoted Sergeant
• August 13, 1906 – Appointed Regimental Orderly Room Sergeant
• September 25, 1907 – Promoted Colour Sergeant
• December 3, 1907 – Appointed Provisional Lieutenant
• March 6, 1912 – Appointed to Command “H” Company, 1st Battalion
• October 22, 1913 – Promoted Captain
• 1915 to 1918 – Served as Acting Regimental Adjutant
• 1918 – Awarded Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
• January 31, 1923 – Promoted Major and appointed to command “A” Company, 1st Battalion
• 1928 – Awarded Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers Decoration (GO181-1928)
• July 4, 1930 – Appointed second in command, 1st Battalion
• April 14, 1934 – Appointed to Command 2nd Battalion
• June 1, 1935 – Promoted Lieutenant Colonel
• May 1935 – Awarded King George V Jubilee Medal
• 1935 – Retired