Major-General Malcolm Smith Mercer
PERSONAL INFORMATION
MILITARY INFORMATION
- Major-General (Army). 1915-11-22 to 1916-06-03
- Brigadier-General, 1st Infantry Brigade, Infantry (Army). 1914-09-29 to 1915-11-22
- Lieutenant-Colonel, 3rd Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1914-08-22 to 1914-09-29
Mentioned in Despatches 'A' List (Battle of Mount Sorrel.)
Companion of the Order of the Bath
RESEARCH INFORMATION
Son of Thomas Mercer and Mary Mercer (nee Smith)
Killed in action while doing reconnaissance of front lines 3 June 1916. German artillery opened up on Canadian lines prior to their attack; Major-General Mercer was the highest ranking Canadian killed in the war. See 'The Canadians at Mt. Sorrel' by Norm Christie, CEF Books.
His death is also documented on web site www.1914-1918.net/bat14_5.htm. This site states that whilst carrying out a personal reconnaissance along with Brigadier Victor Arthur Seymor Williams he was deafened and stunned. He made his way to a first aid post but insisted on leaving it. Shortly after this he was hit and his leg was broken, then while lying in the open he was hit by shrapnel and died. His body was found in Armagh Wood.
At the time while he was carrying out the reconnaissance he was with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles and was accompanied by their commanding officer. Their war diaries also mention when Major-General Mercer was deafened by the shell. The diary then states that he was accompanied to clearing station by two aides. Also when this shell exploded opposite them Brigadier Williams was slightly wounded and another of the party, Lieutenant Lyman Edward Gooderham, was deafened.
Prior service with the QOR