Russell E. Merrick

Russell E Merrick was born in Reach Township, 15th October 1889.

He was a farmer working in Uxbridge, when he enlisted with the 116th Battalion on December 2, 1915. He sailed overseas with the 116th, arriving in Liverpool, England, 31st July, 1916. His battalion went across the channel to France in February 1917, and they saw action at Vimy Ridge, Avion, Hill 70, Passchendaele, and Cambrai. He left overseas for Canada on June 18, 1919, and was released from his service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 4th July, 1919.

When the Second World War broke out, many veterans of the First World War, now in their 40’s or older, were willing to serve. The Canadian Government created the Veteran’s Home Guard, later renamed the Veteran’s Guard of Canada, in May 1940. The VG (C) took on roles of homeland defense, the guarding of military installations, and the guarding of Canadian Internment Camps. Russell served as a guard at the POW Camp 23 in Monteith, Iroquois Falls, ON.

We Will Remember Them