Correctly named 62573 Cpl MW Merrifield W York R
Montague William Merrifield was born in Clevedon in 1882 to William and Elizabeth.
At the time of his enlistment in December 1915, he was working as a tailors cutter and living at 34 Gerald Road, Bournemouth. He had married Emily Reed in 1913.
He enlisted into the 4th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. His records indicate he served with the Reserves and at home from December 1915 until May 1918.
He left the West Yorkshire Regiment and transferred into the Royal Flying Corps in June 1916 and from there was compulsory transferred into the 3rd Battalion Royal West Kents. We see his is sent to France in Mat 1918, this time with the 5th Battalion West Yorkshires.
It is noted he suffered a gunshot wounding to his right hand and this contributed to him being discharged due to weakness. Records show him to have been sent home in October 1918 and placed into the Reserves until March 1919. His address on discharge is given as 3 Hildenhurst Road, Bournemouth.
He is still at the address in 1939 and again working as a tailors cutter.
He died in 1971.
Medals are in untouched condition, still in the transmittal box with original silk (folded) ribbons.