Merkley, William Ernest: Service no. 123248

Source: August 1918 casualty.

Pic-William-Ernest-Merkley-Photo2-Lilia — Source: Topography of Grief. Mapping the Great War Dead in London, Ontario (Circa 1915). The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum.

Biography

CEF no. 123248

Merkley was born in North Dakota (USA) on 27 September 1895 and grew up in London, ON. He attended St. George’s Public School and London Collegiate Institute. Starting in 1912, he worked at London Life Insurance Company as a junior clerk and in the Supply Department. He served a year with the 7^th Field Engineers before enlisting in the 70^thCanadian Infantry Battalion on 11 September 1915. Posted to France in 1916, he served in the 18^th Btn.’s machine gun section. During an attack on Guemappe on 26 August 1918, he was shot through the head. His coworkers back home remembered him as “loyal and absolutely dependable.”

He is commemorated on page 470 of the First World War Book of Remembrance (Memorial Chamber, Peace Tower, Parliament Hill).

Grave: unknown.

Commemorated on: Vimy Memorial, France.

Source

82596788_2992428570780846_7170982332042575872_n — Source: Operation Picture Me via The 18th Battalion Facebook Group.

31829_B016772-00376 — “KILLED IN ACTION” Was shot through the head by an enemy machine gun bullet and killed, during an attack on Guemappe, on the morning of August 26, 1918.

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