Military Record
489365 Private Thomas Mercer
The night of April 11th, 2008 marked 92 years since Thomas Mercer yielded up his young life on a battlefield in far away Belgium. His memory, like that of so many others who have fought and died in war, continues to live on through those who have heard his story from family and friends. The Port Albert Project has been fortunate enough to obtain a copy of his military record, and would like to share it with our visitors. Where possible, an explanation of the documentation is provided, otherwise it is simply here for you to read. Our thanks to members of the Mercer family for allowing us to share this with you.
[Courtesy of Library & Archives Canada]
From what can be gleaned from this and supporting documents, it seems that Thomas Mercer was initially assigned to the 66th Battalion and then sent to the 17th Battalion upon his arrival in England on 31 January 1916. On the 9th of March 1916, he arrived in the French seaport of Le Havre. On the 31st of March 1916 he was attached to the 2nd Battalion Canadian Pioneers, and was tragically killed in action on the night of 11 April 1916.