Sunday 23 January 2011

Private Ralph Stewart MacPherson

Born on 2 March 1896 in Springhill, Nova Scotia - son of Mrs. J. Yelland, Vancouver, British Columbia - at the time of his enlistment in 1915: trade as McNill student; single; no current or previous military service; Presbyterian; height of 5 feet 7 inches; chest of 37.5 inches fully expanded; dark complexion; brown eyes; dark hair.

Attended McGill College, British Columbia, in the faculty of Science from 1907 to 1908.

Joined the British Columbia Horse as a Private in January 1915 - transferred to the 38th Battalion, CEF, in Vancouver, British Columbia, on 5 March 1915 (number 411046) - sailed for England in May 1915 - joined Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on 17 July 1915 - promoted to Corporal in January 1917 - sent to Bexhill, England, to attend Officers' Training Course as a Cadet in May 1917 - commissioned as a Lieutenant with the 7th Reserve Battalion, CEF, in July 1917 - rejoined Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on 1 November 1917 - wounded at Passchendaele on 17 November 1917 - wounded at Mons on 9 or 10 November 1918 - repatriated to Canada and discharged in March 1919.

Awarded the Military Cross in 1918.

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Anonymous, Record of Service 1914-1918: University of British Columbia, McGill British Columbia, Vancouver College (Vancouver: Lionel Ward & Company, Ltd., 1924), p.84)

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