Arthur Victor Seymour Williams

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General Arthur Victor Seymour Williams (1867 - December 12, 1949), was a Canadian general in the First World War and later the Commissioner of Police for the Province of Ontario.

Arthur Williams was born at Port Hope, Ontario in 1867. After attending Trinity College he entered the Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston in 1884. Two years into his studies he was withdrawn from the college at his parent’s request and entered service in the Northwest Mounted Police. The following year he became an inspector. He transferred to the Mounted Infantry in 1889 and eventually took a commission with the Royal Canadian Dragoons in 1893. In 1899 he went to South Africa, serving with the Canadian Mounted Rifles during the South African War.

Williams was promoted to Brevet Colonel for his overseas service and made Commandant of the Royal School of Cavalry in Toronto. In 1907 he was appointed Commanding Officer of the Royal Canadian Dragoons and Inspector of Cavalry for the Dominion of Canada. In 1911 he commanded the mounted units at the Coronation of King George V. From 1912 to 1914 he was Adjutant General at Ottawa. He commanded Valcartier Camp, Quebec, during the mobilization of the 1st Canadian Division, and accompanied the contingent overseas. During the war he served on the general staffs of Field Marshal Sir John French and the 2nd and 3rd British Army Corps. In early 1916 he took command of the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, but was severely wounded and taken prisoner during the Battle of Sanctuary Wood in June.

After the war he commanded military districts in Kingston and Toronto, before becoming the Commissioner of Police for the Province of Ontario. He died in Toronto on December 12th, 1949.