McDOUGALL, Austin Joseph

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         4th Canadian Infantry Division
                                             10th Infantry Brigade
                                             47th Battalion - West Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   654639
RESIDENCE:                    Goderich – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            January 7, 1889
                                             Goderich – Goderich Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           September 2, 1918               29 years     8 months
CEMETERY:                     Faubourg G’Amiens Cemetery – Arras –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             VI     F     39
MOTHER:                         Mrs. Mary McDougall – Goderich – Ontario.
Occupation:                        Sailor                                    Religion:     Roman Catholic
Enlistment:                         Goderich – March 21, 1916 – 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 27 years     2 months

Private McDougall and the 161st Battalion arrived in England on November 11, 1916. On March 8, 1918, he transfers to the 47th Battalion, proceeds overseas and joined his unit in the field on April 19, 1918.
Private McDougall was taking part in an attack with his unit against Dury when he was fatally wounded in the left knee from enemy shell shrapnel. He was immediately attended to and moved to No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance but his wounds were fatal and he did not survive the day.
The winds were south-west the weather was fine and there was good observation.
“B” & “D” Companies were right and left assault companies with “A” & “C” Companies in support. At 05:00 they went over the top with the 47th at centre – 85th left and 50th on the right. They advanced under a creeping barrage.
Much enemy wire was found uncut and it hand to be cut by hand and while doing this and being exposed they came under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. The support then leap-frogged the assault companies upon reaching the 2nd line. The assault companies then advanced to the fourth trench line which was the intended objective.
The enemy came down with a protective barrage and it was heavy and prompt and casualties were taken.
It was found that there was a heavy enemy garrison in the trenches and they put up a stiff fight mainly from the large number of machine-guns they had but they were quickly overrun.
Upon reaching the final objective the 46th Battalion leap-frogged the Battalion who then reorganized on the western slope of Mont Dury ready to continue with the advance.
All four objectives had been reached and consolidated and as this was happening the enemy was putting up strong resistance until such time as the fighting became close.
Casualties were 12 killed, 122 wounded and 34 missing.