Found on Twitter posted by Canadian & British Photos & Postcards @CanMilPostcards
Liverpool born William Leney was apparently a commercial artist living in Victoria B.C., Canada when the First World War broke out. He joined the 88th Battalion. Following serious leg wounds in August of 1917, he was seconded to the Canadian Forestry Corps. Leney did the artwork for a series of postcards in the First World War.
The 88th (Victoria Fusiliers) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, the unit began recruiting in the autumn of 1915 in that city.
I cannot find out much about William in spite of extensive research. I don’t know when he went to Canada. He appears to have beeen living in the UK in Norfolk in 1921 and travelled to Australia during the 1920s. He described himself on the Census forms as a Commercial Artist.
I found a reference to a William George Leney living in Exeter, Devon, UK who died on 27th September 1969 but I don’t know if that is the artist. If anyone has any definite information please get in touch.
William George Leney was born in West Derby, Liverpool, Lancashire, UK on 12th January 1891 to George Leney and his wife, Margaret J. Leney, nee Carter.
William George Leney married Janetta Carter and the couple had 2 children.
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| Artwork by William George Leney |
Sources: Find my Past,
https://x.com/CanMilPostcards
Canadian & British Photos & Postcards @CanMilPostcards
https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/6005217
https://worldwarzoogardener1939.wordpress.com/2019/06/14/pilotless-planes-15-june-1944/
