A First War Pair to the Canadian Railway Troops

 

Footnote: Albert Edwin Mercer was born on April 29, 1876 in Myrtle, Ontario. He was a resident of Cochrane, Ontario when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (648630) with the 159th Infantry Battalion "1st Algonquin", on January 17, 1916 in Haileybury, Ontario, at the age of 39, naming his next-of-kin as his sister, Miss Sarah E. Mercer of Owen Sound, Ontario, stating that he was with an active militia, the 97th Regiment (Algonquin Rifles), that he had never served with a military force, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Farmer. Both his parents had pre-deceased him. The Battalion was raised in the Nipissing and Sudbury areas of Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Haileybury under the authority of G.O. 151, December 22, 1915. The Battalion sailed October 31, 1916 aboard the S.S. Empress, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.F. Armstrong with a strength of 32 officers and 972 other ranks, arriving in Liverpool, England on November 11th. Upon arrival in England, the Battalion was absorbed into the 8th Reserve Battalion. In a Proceeding of a Medical Board Report at South Camp on November 22, 1916, it was discovered that he was "overage". His actual birth date was April 29, 1869, making him seven years older that what he stated his age to be upon enlisting. Although now 47 years of age, he remained with the army and was transferred as a Sapper to the 2nd Labour Battalion on January 23, 1917. He would soon see service in the French theatre with the 2nd Labour Battalion, arriving in France on February 10, 1917. Nine months after arriving in France, the 2nd Labour Battalion was re-designated the 12th Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops on November 25, 1917. Sapper Mercer served in France for the next twenty-two months and was awarded one Good Conduct Badge on January 17, 1918. Upon the ceasing of hostilities, he was transferred from the Canadian General Base Depot at Etaples, returning to England and was posted to the Canadian Railway Troops Depot at Witley on January 4, 1919. He was attached to No. 9 Wing at the Canadian Concentration Camp at Kinmel Park, Rhyl for return to Canada, on January 23rd, embarking Liverpool on February 19th aboard the S.S. Scotian, arriving in St. John, New Brunswick on March 1st. Upon arrival in Toronto, Ontario, Sapper Mercer was subsequently posted to the Casualty Company at Exhibition Camp. In his Medical History of an Invalid, dated March 18, 1919 at Exhibition Camp, his year of birth was again acknowledged as 1869, his age now almost 50. The doctor stated that Mercer has incurred a "Debility", which had been discovered in France, stating that Mercer's: "Active service condition and advancing age" was an issue. "Due to partial loss of bodily vigour....man looks worn out. Pulsation visible in vessels of legs & temporals, radials distinctly hardened". It was noted that Mercer "Could walk 15 miles with (a) pack on joining army, now only 5 miles. Could run 1 mile before, now only 1/4 mile. Ability to undergo fatigue of (a) day's work diminished 25% (he says). No palpitation or dizziness in (a) day's work. Has lost weight. Condition has gradually come on during his 2 years service in France. Heavy work....having increased his disability. Is improving with rest since (his) return." It was determined that Mercer could resume his former trade as a Farmer, "but with lowered capacity for enduring fatigue.", the doctor recommending that he be medically discharged. In his "Eye Report" dated the next day, March 19th, at Exhibition Camp, it was noted that he had "Difficulty in reading", diagnosed with "Presbyopia" (a condition associated with aging of the eye that results in progressively worsening ability to focus clearly on close objects, due to hardening of the lens of the eye causing the eye to focus light behind, rather than on the retina, when looking at close objects) and determined it to be a "service disability", the doctor noting that "glasses have now been prescribed". Sapper Albert Edwin Mercer, Canadian Railway Troops was discharged as "Medically Unfit" at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, on March 24, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France and entitled to 183 days War Service Gratuity. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Mercer died on August 12, 1939, at the age of 70.