Regimental number: 6707.  Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 6501 – 23. Date of Birth 23/06/1874. A veteran of the first arrived on a home 23/05/18 arrived home on an a three month furlough at his home at 257 Inshes Ave.  Born in Stirling, Scotland. Prior to the war, William was living with his wife Edith and their son “Willie” at 257 Inshes Ave., Chatham, ON. He was working as a clerk. He enlisted on the 24^th of September at Valcatier, PQ. Attached to the 4^th Labor Batt., he is engaged in construction work a short distance behind the trenches. CDP 30/06/17.  Served 12 years with 24th Kent Regt. A Coy.

A veteran of the first arrived on a home 23/05/18 arrived home on an a three month furlough at his home at 257 Inshes Ave.

Sergt. W. M. Murdock who was one of the first men to enlist in the following the outbreak of the war. He had gone to the First Battalion was reported in the 4^th Labour Battalion “engaged in construction work behind the trenches. Sgt. Murdock took part in heavy engagements which was in the “Fighting First” . 

He reported to his wife is good “except” He is bothered with rheumatism at times”. The CDN. The CDN reported home. Not once two has he occasions – he was buried alive by shell explosion. Prior to returning from over seas he was in France as a member of a Construction Battalion.  

One of the first to the front with the First Battalion was attached to the 4^th Labor Battalion was reported engaged to construction work a short distance behind the trenches. He was one of the “Fighting First”.

In a letter received by his wife a few days ago he writes that his health is good, except that he is bothered with rheumatism at times. CDP 30/06/17.    

John Murdock a brother of the returned soldier, was killed at Givenchy in 1915.   

Pte. William M. Murdock went overseas with the 1st Contingent in September 1914, proceeding to France February 5th, 1915, attached to the 1st Battalion. He took part in the second Battle of Ypres April 22nd, 1915, Festubert, May 15th-28th,1915, Givenchy, June 15th, Lemmel, October 13th, 1915, Ypres, June 2nd, 1916, Ypres, June 13th, 1916, and the Somme, September 2nd, 1916, when he received shell shock. He returned to the trenches March 18th, 1917, after four months Hospital treatment in England and later participated in the engagement at Messines Ridge, June 7th, 1917. After thirty-two months service in France, he was given three months furlough to Canada, leaving Liverpool May 13th, 1918, and returning August 5th, 1918.

During his military career he was promoted to Lance Corporal, April 18th, 1915, to Corporal, February 17th, 1917, and to Sergeant, March 20th, 1917.

Discharged at London Sept 9th, 1918.

In a letter to his wife dated April 27, 1915 Lance Corporal MURDOCK talks about the battle he was in on the 23^rd of April. He describes as, “a great day for the Canadians”, compared to Langemarck, “Lundy’s Lane and Queenston Heights were very small”. Of the casualties in that mad rush he says, “They were sights that a man can never forget as long as he lives.” He goes on to talk of some of the incidents of that day’s battles. “We faced hell for nearly a mile of open country in broad daylight.  “On our first rush I was next to Major George Smith [who would later be killed]. A shell burst in front of us, and took down poor Hope CROUCHER, Tom SEXTON, A. DYE and Alf DEMINGTON. 

“I thought then that we had very little of coming out, but on went our platoon which is made up of Chatham boys led by our gallant Major Smith and Lieutenant Gordon”. While William is writing, “shells are flying overhead and the noise is almost deafening. So with lots of love to you all, I will close.” This give some idea of how close the men thought death might be standing to them that and who knew if they will live to write the next letter.

A second letter appears in the same article, this one written on the 1^st of May. Recalling the battle that he so recently was fighting in, he can reflect on the happenings of the day. “It was a terrible day, and the Canadians certainly deserve all the credit given to them, as many a brave boy went down on that day.”

“How Jack (John Mudock 6708) and I got through I can’t tell” The sights, sounds and smells of the battlefield are all fresh in his mind, “Oh, the sights. They will be pictured in my memory as long as I live. The terrible firing of the big guns rings in your head for days afterwards and it is almost impossible to think.”

He has developed a hatred for the Germans for their treatment of the wounded, “As soon as the Germans see a place where the Canadian wounded are getting their wounds dressed they send shells over, and in that way they have killed several of our poor chaps. “The Germans are low – they are worse than heathen.”

In closing he hopes Edith will write again soon, “for my loved ones at home were constantly in my thoughts during the terrible struggle through which we have passed”.   

Chatham Daily Planet 19/05/1915 

“Edith Murdoch, 257 Inshes Avenue, Chatham, Ont.:

Deeply regret to inform you that 6707, Lance Corporal William Murdoch 1^st Battalion, officially reported killed in action June 15^th. – Adjutant General of Ottawa.”

This is the telegraph message that Edith Murdoch received on the morning of the 28^th of June 1915. At 38 years old soldier had come to Canada from Scotland at the age of five and had settled in Chatham. He had traveled a good deal to the Northwest Territories and British Columbia. He had learned a trade while working at the Gray’s and for the Retail Merchants Association in Chatham as a collector. At the time of his reported death he left widow and a four-year-old son.

The first letter written on, “June 10, 1915” reports on his recent stay in hospital. “I am back again in the company and I am through all right with the hospital, I had a mild attack of rheumatic fever, (a non-infectious fever with inflammation and pain in the joints *), but am O.k. now. 

William spends some time talking about meeting Dr. George MUSSON and “young Austin” (probably Pte. Robert G. AUSTIN 32995) both C.A.M.C. from Chatham while he was at the hospital. The hospital itself was of some interest of William, actually a converted brewery the house bearing the date 1734 on it. “It was a very large place, the grounds covering about 100 acres – nice roads and a fine garden of roses and all kinds of flowers”. Though the war has taken it’s toll on the upkeep of the place, he found it very interesting.

Hearing from a uncle in Scotland who now has a son in the 2^nd Scots Guards, “There is thirteen of the lot on fathers side in the army, surely that is good enough.” 

Along with reporting on the death of L/Cpl. Murdock the Chatham Daily Planet of 28/06/1915 reported on two letters received on the same day as the telegram. The second written “June 13, 1915” from William reports that both he and Jack are “quite well”. The weather had been fine and even the nigh before ran was not bad, “we were out in it all night under the trees; we had our sheets and did not get so very wet.”

Although it is Sunday, William writes that, “the big guns are going at it all night and are at it just now”, as he is writing. He goes on the say that when it the Canadian guns are, “belching forth their loud and cheerful sound – we are quite cheerful and rather enjoy them.” Such is not the case he say when it’s the German’s guns, “we kind of don’t like it.”

He was very happy to get a box from Glasgow, (he does not mention from whom, perhaps relatives of Jack) containing “cakes’ matches, soap, tobacco, candies and raisins”. Small luxuries that would help to make trench life a little bit better. “They were fine and I certainly enjoyed it.” he writes.

He is at a French lady’s house as he writes, “on the table there is a five vase of white roses, they smell just right”, and reminds him how glad he is to hear how, “successful you are with the garden.” “Well I must close with a thousand hugs and a boat loads of kisses to my darling wife and wee son.” He wants to make the mail, which goes, “about three or four when the officers get time to read it and I am sure they must detest the job as it is a terrible one.”  

Finally in early July comes the news that L/Cpl. William Murdock was not killed on the 15^th of June since he is writing his wife on the 16^th, however he confirms that John was. “Darling Wife and Son: Just a line to let you know I am well and have come through another terrible time.” Sadly he goes on; Edith how can I tell you poor Jack fell. I can’t say more but tell Fannie that he died a noble death as did the rest of the Chatham boys.”   

The charge of the 1^st Battalion (Western Ontario Regiment that day in June as Will says “was a magnificent sight to see the boys go over the trench but the sad returning looking for chums.” The list of Chatham killed that William knew of at the time, was nine, including Jack and seven more wounded or missing. The dead beside Jack included: Major G. Smith, “the bravest of the brave”, Ted EDWARDS, C. CROSIER, James NICHOL, Matt MEEHAN, Joe JOINER, Richard DENNIS and H. WARD. The wounded were: Vic PYNE, Jack ASH, Frankie WATKINS, James RABBITT, MARDLING, Sergt. Fred SHEARD and Sergt. E. ANSELL.   “I have not a man left in No. 1 section. I can’t write any more today as I am too much upset. With a prayer to Almighty God for sparing me to my sweetest love, I must close. Love to you and my wee son. W. Murdock”  Chatham Daily Planet 2/07/1915

See Attestation record MURDOCK W M 6707 copied.

* The Canadian Oxford Dictionary.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

Chatham Daily Planet (01-06-1915), Chatham Daily Planet (30-06-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (23-05-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (10-06-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (12-06-1918), Centennial Chatham 1895-1995 - John Rhodes

Height	5'7"
Eye Colour	Blue
Age	42
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Auburn
Race	White
Birthplace	Scotland
Religion	Presbyterian
Last Place of Employment	In Business
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Info	November 15th, 1904, Chatham, Ontario.
When Enlisted	August 6th, 1914
Where Enlisted	Chatham, Ontario
Allowance from Patriotic Fund	$ 14.50 per month
Next of Kin	Wife- Mrs. Edith Murdock, Chatham. Son- William Murdock.

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