CEF Soldier Detail

Private Merrill Chapman Robinson

Regimental Number:
438462
Survived War:
 Yes
Force:
 Army
Regiment:
 Canadian Infantry
Battalion:
 8th Battalion
Company:
Place of Birth:
Fort William, Ontario
Country:
 Canada
Next of Kin:
Mrs. Jane Robinson, mother, 227 Ross Street, Fort William, Ontario
Address at Enlistment:
Date of Birth:
May 13, 1896
Trade or Calling:
Assistant Civil Engineer
Marital Status:
 Single
Prior Military Experience:
No
Place of Enlistment:
 Fort William, Ontario
Date of Enlistment:
April 6, 1915
Age at enlistment:
18
Height:
 5 Feet 10 Inches
Chest:
 35 Inches
Expansion:
 3 Inches
Religion:
 Baptist
Enlisted or Conscripted:
 Enlisted
Saw service in:
Europe    
Cause of Death:
Survived
Battle Died/Wounded:
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
Buried at:
Plot:
Commemorated:
 
Prisoner of war:
No
Interned:
Gender:
 Male
Ethnic Origin:
Caucasian
LAC Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 1Box 8393 - 1
Research Notes
MBE, 14/15 Star Trio, 37 Coronation and 53 Coronation medals exist.
Rank Regiment Unit Company
Private Canadian Infantry 8th Battalion
Private Canadian Infantry 52nd Battalion
Chapman was born at Fort William Ontario, enlisting in the 52nd Battalion CEF on 6 April 1915; he joined the 8th Battalion on 14 August 1915 in the field. He was appointed Lance-Sergeant in 1916. Robinson's service records confirm he was WIA on the first day of battle of VIMY RIDGE. The wounds cost him his vision and he nearly lost his leg. After a long recovery in hospitals in England he trained as a physiotherapist and married one of his nurses. In 1940 he was invited by the Minister of Defence to form the first Citizen's Rehabilitation Council. He also worked with the National War Finance Committee and in 1943 was awarded the MBE. His post-WWI career is catalogued in a brief biography at UBC when he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws in 1957.
Awards and Decorations
Member of the Order of the British Empire