Aug 15, 1897

Born in the township of Verulam, Ontario

Jan 11, 1916

Attested into the 109^th Battalion at Bobcaygeon Ontario 

Ø     Number 725587

Ø     Next of kin given as William Lyle (father) of Bobcaygeon Ontario

Ø     Previous occupation given as Laborer

Ø     No previous military experience given

Ø     Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø     Assigned to “C” Company

Jul 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic at Halifax Nova Scotia

Jul 31, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England

Aug 25, 1916

Will made out leaving estate to his mother, Mrs Wm Lyle of Bobcaygeon Ontario

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 6, 1916

Arrived at CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion 

It is worthy to note that his younger brother, David, not only signed up with him, and was transferred to the 21^st Battalion at the same time.  David was discovered at the CBD to be underage and was sent back to England.

Oct 20, 1916

Left CBD to join unit

Oct 22, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The battalion was in Divisional Reserve in the Bully Grenay area and conducting training exercises

Dec 18, 1916

Attached to the 4^th Field Company, Canadian Engineers, for duty

Jan 11, 1917

Will made out leaving estate to his mother, Mrs Wm Lyle of Bobcaygeon Ontario 

It is interesting to note that one witness was a member of the 19^th Battalion, while the second was Pte Oren Switzer of the 21^st Battalion

Jan 17, 1917

Ceases to be attached and returned to the 21^st Battalion

Aug 24, 1917

Form signed by L/Col EW Jones, OC 21^st Bttn, giving approval for a transfer to the 22^nd Howitzer Battery, Canadian Field Artillery.  The reason for transfer given was “for the purpose of serving with older brother”. 

The OC 22^nd Battery gave his approval on September 16, 1917, and the Adjutant General’s office gave it’s approval on September 26^th

Sep 30, 1917

SOS (Struck Off Strength) the 21^st Battalion on transfer (at own request) to the 22^nd Howitzer Battery, 6^th Brigade, CFA (Canadian Field Artillery)

Oct 1, 1917

TOS 6^th Brigade CFA with the rank of Gunner.

Nov 4, 1917

Admitted to No 1 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) then transferred to #44 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with SW (Shrapnel Wounds) to back and left buttock

Nov 6, 1917

Transferred via No 14 AT (Ambulance Transport)

Nov 7, 1917

Transferred to No 3 Stationary Hospital at Rouen

Dec 5, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St George

Posted to Canadian Artillery Regimental Depot while in hospital

Dec 7, 1917

Admitted to 2^nd Southern General Hospital at Bristol

Dec 14, 1917

Reported to be dangerously ill

Dec 20, 1917

Patient reported to have been delirious for the past 3 days, high temperature and “troublesome diarrhea”

Dec 22, 1917

Died of wounds

Bristol (Arno’s Vale) Cemetery
Gloucestershire, England
Soldiers were buried in the area in front of the wall with their names listed on the panels

Jan 24, 1922

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to Mrs Wm Lyle (mother) at Bobcaygeon Ontario 

There is no medals card to indicate when the Memorial Cross, Plaque and Scroll were sent to the family.

It should be noted that his middle name has a few different spellings recorded.  On the Attestation Papers, it is spelled as Mearl.  Later in his file, on his 2 wills, it is spelled as Merrill.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has it spelled as Mesyl, but on the Memorial, it is spelled Meal. 

Also of note, he transferred to the artillery to serve with his older brother but a month after his arrival he was wounded and subsequently died.  His older brother, William John Lyle, survived the war.