McINTOSH, Robert William

DIVISIONAL UNIT:        3rd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             7th Infantry Brigade
                                             Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   487474
RESIDENCE:                    Lucknow - Ontario
DATE OF BIRTH:            September 2, 1896
                                             Lucknow – Ashfield / West Wawanosh Townships – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           September 15, 1916             20 years
MEMORIAL:                    Vimy Memorial – Vimy –
                                             Pas de Calais - France
PARENTS:                         Mr. Hugh and Isabella McIntosh – Lucknow - Ontario
Occupation:                        Teacher                                Religion:     Presbyterian 
Enlistment:                         December 27, 1915 - Lucknow
Enlistment Age:                 19 years     4 months

Private McIntosh departed from Canadian shores on the S.S. Olympic and arrived in Liverpool on April 13, 1916. Once in England he transferred to the 11th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling – Kent.  On April 27, 1916 Private McIntosh was drafted into the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and he then went into France and joined his unit in the field on June 9, 1916.
Private McIntosh had been ordered to the front from the support trenches to reinforce the attacking Company and shortly after reaching his Company he was hit by a piece of shrapnel and died instantly. He and the unit were located at Courcellete.
Private McIntosh is listed on the Roll of service for Ontario Teachers and had earned his Second /Class Certificate prior to enlistment. 
The advance was set for 6 pm and the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry were on the right and assembled at Sugar Trench and the Brigade was established in Centre Way. The advance began at 6:15 pm and the objective was reached even after they had to change direction. By 7:45 pm the second objective had been secured but then at 10:45 pm the word came that the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry had not been able to take their second objective and in fact were digging in. The Battalion was in need of stretcher bearers, ammunition and reinforcements. It was also reported that the enemy artillery was very heavy on them. It was also reported casualties suffered were heavy.
It was during this early evening advance where Private McIntosh fell in action performing his duties.