Wilfred Merchant (Not on Church Memorial)

This name (which is only found on the memorial on the Green) possibly refers to WALLACE Merchant.

John Wallace Victor Merchant was born on 16th August 1897 and baptised at Worfield on the 19th September. He was the son of John Merchant, a coachman, and his wife Agnes. The family lived at Stableford.

The Merchant family emigrated to Canada and settled in King, Ontario.

Wallace enlisted in the Canadian Army on 12th February, 1916. He gave his place of birth as Worfield and his occupation as farmer. He initially served in the York Rangers but he was serving with the 1st Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops at the time of his death.

The Canadian Railway Troops laid and maintained the railway tracks which were used to transport men and supplies to the front line. In September 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres, the 1st Battalion were based behind the lines at 'International Corner' (North of Poperinghe). Wallace Merchant died on 15th September, when the battalion war diary records:

Early in the morning of the 15th Inst. our Transport lines, near which is an Ammunition dump, were heavily Shelled by a long distance gun. Five shells landed among the tents, resulting in the death of four and the injury of six Other Ranks.

Private John Wallace Victor Merchant, 778743, is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery.