Corporal John William McLeod
PERSONAL INFORMATION
MILITARY INFORMATION
- Corporal, 46th Battalion, Infantry (Army).
- Private (Army). 1916-04-12 to 1917-07-18
Military Medal
Images
RESEARCH INFORMATION
John William McLeod (1887-1917) was born in Prince Edward Island and grew up there with his brothers and sisters, Malcolm (Monty) McLeod (1879-1951), Belle Marion McLeod (1881-1982), Cyrus Alexander McLeod (1883-1892) and Sarah (1899). His parents, Angus (Big Angus) (1837-1915) and Catherine (Katie) MacRae McLeod (1851-1926) farmed in the Queen's East District of the island near the village of Glashvin. Like his father, John William McLeod grew to be a big man, standing 6'3".
As young men John William and his brother Cyrus ventured west in search of opportunity. John William McLeod settled in Kenora where he was a mill foreman and Cyrus in Winnipeg, where he was a butcher.
John William McLeod then joined the newly formed Ontario provincial police force, moving to Sioux Lookout, where he was stationed when he enlisted April 12, 1916 with the 94th Battalion being raised from volunteers across the district. His brother Cyrus enlisted the same month, on April 24 in Winnipeg. Because of his trade as a butcher he was assigned to the Canadian Army Service Corps for overseas duty.
Like other members of the 94th battalion, John William McLeod trained in Kenora, Port Arthur and Valcartier before the battalion was shipped overseas in July of 1916. He was transferred to the 32nd Reserve Battalion for further training on arrival in England and then assigned to the 46th (Saskatchewan Regiment) Battalion in the field where he was promoted to corporal.
At Vimy Ridge in April of 1917, John McLeod was awarded a Military Medal for his actions and was promoted to Lance Sergeant. The medal citation for his action on April 12, 1917 states: “On Vimy Ridge on the 12th of April 1917. Led his 11 men to their objective and under heavy fire established a strong point. His example of coolness and determination inspired his men with confidence. In previous operations he has displayed the same qualities and has performed valuable services.”Less than a month later, on 03 May 1917, while on an inspection with two officers of the battalion’s outpost positions, Lance Sergeant John McLeod was hit by a sniper's bullet in the neck. Taken to a medical aid station, he died of the wound on May 9, 1917 at No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station. From the Circumstances of Death record for John William McLeod: "DIED OF WOUNDS" At dusk on the evening of May 3rd. 1917, he was shot in the neck by a bullet from an enemy sniper's rifle, while on duty accompanying two officers along a railway bank, towards one of our outposts. First Aid was rendered and he was taken to a dressing station; subsequently he was taken to No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station where he succumbed.
John William McLeod is buried at the Barlin Communal Cemetery, France. His name is on the IOOF (International Order of Odd Fellows) Great War memorial at the Lake of the Woods Cemetery in Kenora and on the Cenotaph in Sioux Lookout, Ontario.
Attestation form - Collections Canada
1891/1901 Canada Census
94th battalion history
Veterans Affairs, Virtual memorial
According to the 1926 46th Battalion reunion booklet: "The 46th Battalion served during the Great War of 1914-1919 with the 10th Infantry Brigade of the 4th Canadian Division of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). The unit has come to be known as "The Suicide Battalion". The 46th Battalion lost 1,433 killed and 3,484 wounded - a casualty rate of 91.5 percent - and won 16 battle honours in 27 months."
[Private Army Canadian Infantry 94th Battalion Lance Sergeant Army Canadian Infantry 46th Battalion Military Medal ]