William Merrifield

William Merrifield VC, MM (9 October 1890 – 8 August 1943) was an English-born Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. A soldier with Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War, he was awarded the VC for his actions on 1 October 1918, during the Battle of the Canal du Nord. Earlier in the war he had been awarded the Military Medal.

William Merrifield
Born9 October 1890
Brentwood, Essex, England
Died8 August 1943
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Buried
West Korah Cemetery, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
Allegiance Canada
Service/branchCanadian Expeditionary Force
Years of service1914–1919
RankSergeant
Unit4th Battalion
2nd Battalion
Battles/warsFirst World War
AwardsVictoria Cross
Military Medal

Early life

William Merrifield was born at Brentwood, Essex in England on 9 October 1890.[1] He emigrated to Canada for employment, settling in Ottawa. He later moved to Sudbury, where he worked as a fireman on the Canadian Pacific Railway. He also joined the 97th Regiment, known as the Algonquin Rifles, a unit of Canada's militia.[1]

First World War

On 23 September 1914, shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, Merrifield enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), being posted to the 2nd Battalion.[2] He fought at the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915,[1] and two years later was transferred to the CEF's 4th Battalion, part of the 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division. He participated in the Battle of Passchendaele, and for his conduct during the fighting was awarded the Military Medal (MM).[2]

On 1 October 1918, along with the rest of the 1st Division, the 4th Battalion was engaged in the Battle of the Canal du Nord, advancing near Abancourt, north of Cambrai. However, the flanking British division had failed to progress its own front, and the Canadians were exposed to machine-gun fire. Merrifield, now a sergeant and leading a platoon, made a solo foray to deal with two machine-gun posts. Despite being wounded, he was successful in his endeavours and resumed the advance with his platoon. It was not until he was again wounded that he was treated for his wounds. He was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for his actions.[1] The VC, instituted in 1856, was the highest award for valour that could be bestowed on a soldier of the British Empire.[3] The citation for his VC read as follows:

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the attack near Abancourt on the 1st October, 1918. When his men were held up by an intense fire from two machine-gun emplacements, he attacked them both single-handed. Dashing from shell-hole to shell-hole he killed the occupants of the first post, and, although wounded, continued to attack the second post, and with a bomb killed the occupants. He refused to be evacuated, and led his platoon until again severely wounded. Sjt. Merrifield has served with exceptional distinction on many former occasions, and throughout the action of the 1st October showed the highest qualities of valour and leadership.

— The London Gazette, 4 January 1919[4]

King George V presented Merrifield with a VC on 26 January 1919, in a ceremony at York Cottage in Sandringham. He returned to Canada a few months later and was discharged from the CEF.[1]

Later life
Sergeant William Merrifield Armoury in Brantford, Ontario

Resuming to civilian life, Merrifield remained in the militia, in which he was now a lieutenant. In late 1919, he accompanied the then Prince Edward for part of his royal tour of Canada. Two years later, Merrifield married Maude née Bovington[1] and the couple lived in Sault Ste. Marie, in Ontario.[2] In 1939, he suffered a stroke. His health never recovered and he died in a hospital in Toronto on 8 August 1943. He is buried in West Korah Cemetery in Sault Ste. Marie.[1]

A school in Sault Ste. Marie was named after him in recognition of his service to his country although it was closed in 2015. The armoury of the 56th Field Artillery Regiment in Brantford, Ontario, is also named for Merrifield.[2]

Grave of Canadian Victoria Cross recipient William Merrifield in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (Canada)

Victoria Cross

In addition to the VC and MM, Merrifield was also entitled to the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.[1] He also held the King George VI Coronation Medal. His medals were donated to the Canadian War Museum by the Merrifield family in November 2005.[5]

Notes
  1. Gliddon 2014, pp. 100–102.
  2. Dunk, Ashley. "Sergeant William Merrifield, VC". Library and Archives Canada Blog. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  3. Ashcroft 2007, pp. 8–10.
  4. "No. 31108". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 January 1919. p. 308.
  5. Leduc, Pierre; Selin, Christina (21 November 2005). "William Merrifield's Victoria Cross Donated to the Canadian War Museum". Canadian War Museum. Retrieved 20 February 2019.

References
  • Ashcroft, Michael (2007) [2006]. Victoria Cross Heroes. London, United Kingdom: Headline Review. ISBN 978-0-7553-1633-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Gliddon, Gerald (2014) [2000]. The Final Days 1918. VCs of the First World War. Stroud, Gloucestershire: History Press. ISBN 978-0-7509-5368-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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