McLEOD, Robert Murray

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         4th Canadian Infantry Division
                                             12th Infantry Brigade
                                             73rd Battalion  -  Royal Highlanders of Canada
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   127501
RESIDENCE:                     Bayfield - Ontario
DATE OF BIRTH:            January 3, 1897
                                             Bayfield – Goderich Township – County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           March 1, 1917                      20 years     2 months
CEMETERY:                     Villers Station Cemetery – Villers-au-Bois –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             VII     E     9     
SISTER:                              Mrs. Margaret Brock – Port Dover - Ontario
BROTHER:                        William John McLeod – Bayfield – Ontario
Occupation:                        Fisherman                            Religion:     Presbyterian
Enlistment:                         November 1, 1915 – Goderich into the 71st Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 18 years     10 months

Bobbie was the son of one of the most famous fishermen on the Canadian side of Lake Huron. Bobby, his brothers and his father fished on the Helen McLeod I. Private McLeod left Canada bound for Liverpool aboard the S.S. Olympic and arrived at his destination on April 11, 1916. While he was at Bramshott he transferred to the 73rd Battalion in late May of 1916. He went into France and joined his unit in the field on September 30, 1916.
Private McLeod lost his life in action as his battalion made a raid against the Vimy Ridge trenches.
“B&D” were left front with “A & C” being right front. At 3 am the white gas was released by the enemy and heavy machine gun and rifle fire followed. This continued for 36 minutes and there were no effects from the gas. Shortly after the enemy brought down a heavy barrage onto the Brigade front for 20 minutes. The wind had now shifted and the second enemy gas wave was released and at 5:20 am it was reported there was considerable enemy gas in the front line and support areas and extended 300 yards north of Cranby Communication Trench. At 5:30 the enemy opened up on the front and support lines as well as the Zouave Valley. The Infantry on the right advanced early, the Germans saw this and the result was the final minutes of assembly took place under heavy enemy fire and casualties were suffered here. Even before the men were out of the tunnels the Battalion took casualties in Blue Bull Tunnel. At 5:40 am the Brigade barrage began and on the extreme left where “B” Company was the barrage was short and they took casualties. By 6:20 am the Battalion casualties began coming back. At 8:00 am with wounded still in the field there was a barrage brought down on the enemy front and support lines to allow the wounded time to get in. During the course of the day the enemy continued his shelling. In the evening the Battalion was situated on the eastern side of the Zouave Valley.
During the day 27 men were killed, 103 men were wounded and 31 men were missing.
It was during this enemy gas, machine-gun and barrage where we believe “Bobbie” McLeod lost his life in battle as he performed his military duties.