McNAUGHTON, William Middleton

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         4th Canadian Infantry Division
                                             10th Infantry Brigade
                                             47th Battalion - West Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   654714
RESIDENCE:                    Varna – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            April 22, 1896
                                             Varna - Stanley Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           September 27, 1918             22 years     5 months
CEMETERY:                     Quarry Wood Cemetery –Sans-les-Marquion –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             II     B     26
PARENTS:                         Mr. John and Lillian McNaughton – Varna - Ontario
Occupation:                        Student                                 Religion:                         Church of England
Enlistment:                         Clinton – March 30, 1916 – 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 19 years     11 months

The S.S. Lapland arrived in England with the 161st Battalion onboard on November 11, 1916.
On February 28, 1918, he transfers to the 47th Battalion, goes overseas into France and then joins his unit in the field on March 4, 1918,
Private McNaughton had received wounds to his back on August 11th and following treatment returned to his unit on September 7, 1918. Three weeks later he would fall in battle.
The 1st & 4th Divisions would lead the attack across the Canal du Nord move east and capture the enemy Canal du Nord trench line. Other units would move to take the Marquion Line while others would advance, attack and capture the village of Bourlon and the strategic Bourlon Wood.
The remainder of the 4th Division including the 47th Battalion as needed would advance east of Bourlon, attack and capture the Marcoing Line.
Private McNaughton was killed in action while leading his section during the attack on the Marquion Line during the morning of September 27th. He was killed instantly by a nearby exploding shell.
      His unit during the attack was south west of Bourlon.
The weather was fine with good visibility and the winds were from the north-east.
The Battalion was in support of the 44th Battalion and behind them and while in assembly areas all received their rum.
At 5:20 am the barrage began falling on the enemy which was originally heavy but it thinned out. As the Battalion advanced the advancing waves were close together to try and avoid the enemy counter-barrage. The objective was the Canal du Nord lines in front of the Canal, the Sunken Road and the Marcoing Line.
“A” & “C” Companies were assaulting right and left with “B” & “D” Companies supporting them. “A” Company did not meet resistance until Raillencourt from isolated enemy pockets. There was heavy resistance when they came upon the Marcoing Line and encountered heavy machine-gun fire. “C” Company was in the town when they received heavy fire and were unable to proceed. This was in Raillencourt. They consolidated and then reached their objective by going into the north of Sailly.  “B” Company had gone into the outskirts of town and met very heavy enemy fire and with “D” Company for support they destroyed the opposition. The enemy was overrun. The Marcoing Line and Sailly had been reached at 07:10 am. The Battalion reorganized and consolidated. Casualties were heavy and numbered 30 killed, 140 wounded and 31 missing. All Companies were now prepared for an enemy counter-attack or to advance