MURCH, Edward James

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        1st Canadian Infantry Division
                                             1st Infantry Brigade
                                             1st Battalion  -  Western Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   6937
RESIDENCE:                    Wingham - Ontario
DATE OF BIRTH:            January 24, 1895
                                             Bristol - England
DATE OF DEATH:           April 28, 1915                      20 years     3 months
CEMETERY:                     Boulogne Eastern Cemetery – Boulogne –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             VIII     B     11
FATHER:                           Mr. William Murch – Wingham - Ontario
Occupation:                        Cabinet Maker                     Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         September 22, 1914 - Valcartier
Enlistment Age:                 19 years     8 months

Private Murch depated the shores of Canada on October 3, 1914 bound for England and would have arrived there in mid October.
Private Murch was wounded and eventually was moved to No. 13 Stationary Hospital located in Boulogne. It was here where he succumbed to his wounds that he had received on April 27th. He had received gunshot wounds to his head.
Private Murch was one of the first Wingham boys to fall in battle.
The 1st Brigade was holding the Yser Canal. At 10 am word was received to consolidate line from the 13th Brigade to the Canal. At 12:30 pm the French bombarded and attacked the enemy with their artillery and the bombardment lasted all day. Then at 9:30 pm word came that because the position of the French troops was not clear, the 1st Brigade was ordered to extend from the left of the 13th Brigade to the Yser Canal. Patrols were then sent out and reports came back saying the French were holding the lines in a strong position. Then at 11pm the 1st Brigade was ordered to be in readiness to fill the gap should the French evacuate their support lines.
The Battalion only state that the Battalion held the Yser Canal all day.
The Brigade diaries state the Battalion held their positions all day.
The conclusion drawn from the file of Private Murch, from the diaries of both the Battalion and the Brigade is that Private Murch was felled from enemy rifle fire or from an enemy sniper.