McALLISTER, Russel Scobie

DIVISIONAL UNIT:     2nd Canadian Infantry Division                                                                                                                                             6th Infantry Brigade                                                                                                                                                               31st Battalion - Alberta                                                                                                                                                         "A" Company                                                                                                                                                                         Canadian Infantry Corps                                                                                              RESIDENCE:             Edmonton - Alberta                                                                                                                  BORN:                        Hensall -  Stanley Township - County of Huron - Ontario                                              CEMETERY:              Wailly Orchard Cemetery - Wailly - Pas de Calais - France                                                                                                 II     D     7                                                                                                                          PARENTS:                 Mr. William and Janet McAllister - Strathcona - Alberta                                                      Personal:                   His height was 6" and his weight was 167 pounds. He had a clear complexion with blue eyes and                                    fair hair. He was raised in the Methodist faith and prior to his enlistment he was a student in                                            Edmonton. 
Private McAllister embarked from Canada on November 24, 1916 bound for Liverpool on the SS Mauretania and arrived in England on November 30th. He was then posted to Witley Camp - Surrey before being transferred to the 31st Battalion on May 27, 1917. Shortly after this he went overseas to the continent where he joined his unit in the field.                                                                                                                                                                              On April 6, 1918 the weather on this day was cloudy and dry until evening when there was rain. The 31st Battalion was to be relieved in the evening and then go to relief mode.                                                                                          From intelligence received the German infantry was expected to attack along the whole front and try to advance south of the Somme. The 31st was then ordered to defend the Green Line with all resolution and that there would be no withdraw. But, if they were forced to fall back they were to fight with great determination .                                        At 6 am on April 6, 1918 the enemy artillery barrage began to fall heavily in the rear areas and this barrage lasted for hours. The positions being defended by the 31st Battalion also received very heavy artillery fire and at this time four men were killed.                                                                                                                                                           We believe from our research that one of the men who lost his life during the enemy artillery barrage near Mercatel was Private McAllister.                                                                  

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