William Merrifield
Sergeant, 1st Battalion. Central Ontario Regiment Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Register No.
- 860 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion. Central Ontario Regiment Canadian Expeditionary Force (register: 4th Battalion, CEF) all CEF VCs →
- Date of action
- 1 October 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 6th January 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
- Born
- 9th October 1890 at Brentwood, Essex
- Died
- 8th August 1943 at Toronto, Canada
- Memorial / grave
- at West Korah Cemetery , Sault State, Marie, Ontario, Canada
Digest of citation
Sergeant Merrifield, single-handedly attack two enemy machine gun emplacements on the 1st October 1918 at Abancourt, France, which were preventing his platoon's advance. Quickly making his way from one shell-hole to another he killed the crew of the first post, getting wounded in the process. In spite of his wounds he went on to attack the second machine-gun, killing the crew with a bomb. Until he was severely wounded, he continued to lead his platoon refusing to be evacuated
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
MERRIFIELD, William. (reg No. 860).
Sergeant. 1st Battalion. Central Ontario Regiment Canadian Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 6th January 1919.
Born on 9th October 1890 at Brentwood, Essex.
Died on 8th August 1943 at Toronto, Canada.
Memorial on grave at West Korah Cemetery , Sault State, Marie, Ontario, Canada.
Digest of Citation reads: Sergeant Merrifield, single-handedly attack two enemy machine gun emplacements on the 1st October 1918 at Abancourt, France, which were preventing his platoon's advance. Quickly making his way from one shell-hole to another he killed the crew of the first post, getting wounded in the process. In spite of his wounds he went on to attack the second machine-gun, killing the crew with a bomb. Until he was severely wounded, he continued to lead his platoon refusing to be evacuated.
Additional information:. Sergeant Merrifield also held the Military Medal (MM). He had performed with exceptional distinction on many occasions during his war showing the highest qualities of valour and leadership. He was invested with the Victoria Cross by his Royal Highness ;Edward, Prince of Wales. (King Edward VIII) on board the royal train when it reached Oba, Canada. Before joining the Army he was employed as a fireman on the Canadian Pacific Railway..
Additional information
Sergeant Merrifield also held the Military Medal (MM). He had performed with exceptional distinction on many occasions during his war showing the highest qualities of valour and leadership. He was invested with the Victoria Cross by his Royal Highness ;Edward, Prince of Wales. (King Edward VIII) on board the royal train when it reached Oba, Canada. Before joining the Army he was employed as a fireman on the Canadian Pacific Railway..
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at West Korah Cemetery , Sault State, Marie, Ontario, Canada
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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